Progressivism

The social, political, and economic trends in American life that I think caused the reform impulse during the Progressive Era are the protection of social welfare through the softening of the harsh conditions of industrialisation, the creation of the YMCA, and the inspiration of women by settlement homes. Also the promoting of moral improvement, which was considered the key to improving lives by some reformers, through prohibition and a fear that alcohol under mined morals and the efforts of the WCTU, but sometimes the prohibitionists efforts led to trouble with immigrant groups. The creation of economic reform prompted by the panic in 1893 and leading to the growth in the idea of socialism led by Deb's critical remarks led to the creation of muckrakers who dug up dirt on big businesses and showed it to the public. Finally fostering efficiency led to more efficient workplaces through assembly lines, these improvements in efficiency were important to industry and government, except for the fact they required people to work like machines.