Progressivism In The Gilded Age

Progressivism emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the excesses of the Gilded Age, characterized by stark economic inequalities, rampant corporate power, and widespread political corruption. As a broad social movement, Progressivism sought to address these issues through robust governmental intervention and reform. This movement borrowed heavily from Populism in its advocacy for the underrepresented and its challenge to the elite control of politics and economy. However, Progressivism differed significantly in its middle-class base and its faith in government and expert intervention as mechanisms for social improvement, whereas Populism was rooted more in the agrarian discontent and often harbored distrust towards centralized
The roots of Progressivism can be traced back to a new generation of reformers, educated in the burgeoning social sciences, who sought empirical and pragmatic solutions to societal issues. This generation, along with a wave of young radicals, was disillusioned by the ostentatious wealth and corruption emblematic of the late 19th century. The assassination of President McKinley in 1901 and the subsequent ascendancy of Theodore Roosevelt to the presidency also marked a pivotal turn towards Progressivism. Furthermore, the defeat of Populism in the 1900 elections cleared the political ground for a new reformist approach to take shape, setting the stage for Progressive ideologies to flourish. Theodore Roosevelt, ascending to the presidency after McKinley's death, embodied the Progressive spirit. His "Square Deal" was a comprehensive reform agenda that signaled a decisive break from the policies and practices of the Gilded Age. Roosevelt's handling of the 1902 Coal Strike, where he intervened to mediate a settlement favorable to workers, exemplified his innovative approach to labor
In foreign policy, Roosevelt's "Big Stick" diplomacy, evident in his dealings with Kaiser Wilhelm, the construction of the Panama Canal, the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, and the dispatch of the Great White Fleet, emphasized a robust and proactive American presence on the global stage, intertwined with nationalistic fervor and a commitment to international stability. William Howard Taft, Roosevelt’s chosen successor, initially continued the Progressive agenda. His administration saw the breakup of Standard Oil and the initiation of numerous other antitrust cases. Taft also supported the Sixteenth Amendment, which facilitated the establishment of a progressive federal income tax. However, his judicial temperament and strict constructionist view of the Constitution gradually pulled him towards a more conservative stance. This ideological shift alienated him from the more radical elements of the Progressive movement and laid the groundwork for his eventual role as a conservative elder statesman in American