Essay about Interpreting American Progressivism - 2954 Words

Interpreting American Progressivism The period referred to as the Progressive Era in American history is one which historians often disagree over, and as in all areas of history, there are many theories surrounding the era which sometimes contradict each other. Historians are always aware of prominent theories within the field, and they often participate in an ongoing dialogue concerning their research. One of the first historians to make a major mark regarding the Progressive Era was Richard Hofstadter in his book The Age of Reform, published in 1955. Other prominent works include Peter G. Filene’s â€Å"Obituary for the Progressive Movement† , published in 1970, Richard L. McCormick’s â€Å"The Discovery that Business Corrupts Politics† ,†¦show more content†¦Hofstadter argues that during the Progressive Movement, these reformers wanted to restore and ensure equality and democracy against the new economic order. Many of their leaders were fairly wealthy men themselves, but th ey â€Å"distinguished†¦between ‘responsible’ and ‘irresponsible’ wealth†, condemning industrialists, the leaders of political machines, and monopolies, claiming that their rapid growth was unethical. They instead wished to â€Å"restore popular government as they imagined it to have existed in an earlier and purer age†, persistently emphasizing individualism. Though they knew they had to establish organization to a point in order to achieve their goals, they were at the same time trying â€Å"to retain the scheme of individualistic values that this organization was destroying.† Hofstadter also points out that they saw the increasing numbers of politico-business relationships as dangerous and corruptive, and felt as if the so-called â€Å"public interest† of citizens was being overlooked and ignored for the private interests of those men who ran these powerful corporations. However, though they were â€Å"‘libe ral’ in the classic sense†, Hofstadter argues that Progressives were actually conservative in their political beliefsShow MoreRelatedAbraham Lincoln s Lyceum Speech822 Words   |  4 Pages In Abraham Lincoln’s Lyceum speech given in 1838, he instructs the audience how perpetuate our political institutions. How do we keep our country united? â€Å"The answer is simple. Let every American, every lover of liberty†¦swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others.† But what about bad or unjust laws? â€Å"[I]f they exist, [they]should be repealed as soon as possible, still while they continueRead More15Th. I Know I Am Also Placing WomenS And African-American’S1695 Words   |  7 Pages 15th I know I am also placing Women s and African-American’s rights to vote lower than others might, but again that because how i m interpreting the 14th amendment. I am also placing the 19th and 15th amendment next to each other, but they aren’t in any paramount assortment, just more of together, but I will be addressing each independently. The reason I do find this amendment necessary as much as I do like throwing in the 14th, is because racism did exist. Sure non-whites could claim they areRead MoreSixteen Most Significant Events in U.S. History between 1789 to 19756920 Words   |  28 Pagesof the sixteen events, the Civil War had the most significant impact on the history of the time period in which it occurred and remains the most significant event in American history. The discussion begins with bracket I covering the period from 1789-1850, and pairs the number one seed in the bracket Mexican-American War against the fourth seed Louisiana Purchase. The second seed in the bracket Marbury v Madison is paired against the third seed Monroe Doctrine. The purchase