The Progressive Movement In The Early Twentieth Century

Progressivism was a movement in the early 20th century characterized by a combination of political and social ideologies that covered a wide spectrum of social aspects including civil rights social justice and also political movements such as liberalism and social democracy. The common denominator linking all these ideologies was the desire to curb capitalistic excesses, rapid urbanization and dynamic industrialization characteristic of the early 20th century (Ruiz, 1989). The progressive movement gained root in America in the early twentieth century and was characterized by political attitudes which increasingly reflected the need for progressive social and economic reforms. Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt were the main faces of the progressive movement at that time and were also the main front runners in the dramatic presidential election of 1912. Both men championed for progressive reforms but each adopted a different approach towards achieving the same. They had seen the negative effects of industrialization and they both sought to
He therefore sought to abolish these monopolies though the legal system. Wilson felt that the economic dynamics of the country were rapidly changing and that the laws of the country had not kept pace with the change of economic circumstances in the country (Wilson, 1913). The introduction of various legislations and statutes such as the Sherman Anti-Trust act sought to revive competition in the economy and eliminate monopoly powers. Wilson argued that the numerous absorptions of small corporations by larger ones characterized by the early days of capitalism contributed to the inefficiency and economic stagnation of the nation. His progressive reforms were geared towards encouraging youthful entrepreneurship in accordance with the American