Progressivism

The Progressive Era is often argued to be the Era where America became "better". Some historians dispute that the time of reform, governmental changes, and the rise of socialism, was only to benefit the rich. Some political leaders policies were to let the rich get richer, and eventually it would trickle down to the rich. Robert Wiebie argued that it was the efforts of the "new middle class" that was making the American society change. When on the other hand "status anxiety", was taking place to manipulate the American people into thinking all the reforms and changes were making America better. The progressive era was still some what taking place during the 1970s and 1980, or at the the ideals were still going through the minds of progressives. Overall, the "progressive era" was the decline of political parties and the rise of interest groups, the working class, and social movements.

In my opinion the Progressive Era is progressive depending on what historian a person talks to. Many people have different opinions surrounding the era. A women's rights worker would have a different opinion than a segregation reformer. Everyone era had their own opinions surrounding the topic of being "progressive".