Source: Narrated by Zach Lamb
[MUSIC PLAYING] In this conversation with Clarence, Jake clearly has a positive interpretation of progressivism. He associates progressivism with modern liberalism. And he describes progressives as a group of like-minded individuals who tried to get rid of political corruption and address the problems with industrialization to, as he says, create a better country.
Jake's understanding of progressivism is correct in many ways. The progressive era, which lasted from 1890 to 1919, was a remarkable period in which activists and reformers from many backgrounds attempted to address the problems and challenges associated with industrialization, urbanization, and immigration. Thanks to the efforts at the local level, combined with the work of presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, progressive reformers often succeeded.
Beginning in the late 1890s, activists with the National Consumers League and other organizations pushed for the enactment of laws that protected the most vulnerable Americans, particularly women and children in the workplace. By the time of the Supreme Court's ruling in Muller vs. Oregon in 1908, states had started to regulate the number of hours that women could work. Similarly, in 1906, President Roosevelt enacted the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act, which place food and drug producers under greater government oversight and protected American consumers.
At the same time, Roosevelt was the first president to use the Antiquities Act, which enables presidents to set aside areas of scenic, scientific, or historical significance as national monuments.
All of these examples reinforce Jake's understanding of progressivism as a social justice movement. Yet not all historians would agree with Jake's interpretation of progressivism. If you apply various historical lenses and recognize different perspectives, you'll discover different interpretations of progressivism. Maybe you recognized some of these differences as you completed this challenge.
For instance, when historians apply economic or racial lenses, it becomes clear that the desire for raw materials, together with white supremacist ideology, influenced American imperialism in the Caribbean and the Pacific. Jake is certainly correct in believing that progressives were united in their belief that the United States needed reform.
However, when we apply different lenses, we see there's more to the story. There were important contradictions within the progressive movement, as well as notable successes on behalf of social justice and equality.
Congratulations on completing the first challenge of unit two. We're not finished discussing progressivism. As the early 20th century continued, progressives continued to push for reforms. Be sure to use your knowledge of historical lenses to see where these reform efforts succeeded and where they fell short.
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