Characteristics of Progressives

Variety

The Progressive Era was composed of many different movements, some of which did not agree with each other.  There was no galvanizing issue that all progressives rallied around.  Additionally, the movement included people from all political parties.  With the exception of the election of 1912 (and briefly in 1924), there was no Progressive Party.  Theodore Roosevelt was a progressive Republican, Woodrow Wilson was a progressive Democrat, and William Jennings Bryan was a progressive Democrat..  The only truly universal factors among progressives was their desire to deal with the problems of urbanization and industrialization that had grown out of the late 19th century.

View of Human Nature

Many progressives had a positive view of human nature, believing that people inherently good and well intentioned.  They saw society’s problems as coming from the flawed structure of its institutions rather than its individuals or mankind.  This was a break from many earlier reform movements, which had often depicted humans negatively.

Desire to Expand Democratic Process

This positive view of human nature heavily influenced the progressive desire to expand the democratic process.  Progressives advocated adoption of the secret ballot and adoption of initiative, referendum, and recall. 

• Initiative gave state and municipality residents the ability to propose legislation
• referendum gave them the power to vote on legislative measures
• recall gave them the authority to remove elected officials.  At the state and local levels, the powers of initiative, referendum, and recall gave voters the power to act against inept or corrupt officials.

Progressives also called for the direct election of United States Senators.  They wanted Senators to be chosen by the voters, rather than by members of the state legislatures.  They believed this would make the national government more responsive to the needs and desires of average Americans.  This would also help reduce the power of political machines by making Senators directly responsible to their constituents, rather than only to political bosses and special interests.  Some progressives also called for giving women the right to vote.

Desire for Social Justice

Another result of the progressive belief in the goodness of man was the desire for social justice.  Many progressives believed that everyone had the right to a decent, minimum standard of living.  This included the rights to a fair wage, old-age pension, workplace safety, workmen’s compensation, maximum hours, and a minimum wage.

Social Gospel

Increasingly appalled at the living conditions of many urban poor, Protestant Christian clergymen began preaching the Social Gospel to address those concerns.  The Social Gospel asserted that Christians should work toward ensuring a decent standard of living for everyone.  Charles M. Sheldon’s 1896 novel In His Steps:  What Would Jesus Do? described a Christian congregation challenged by a minister to ask what Jesus would do before they took any actions.  The congregation then enacted great social reforms and brought about spiritual renewal in the neighborhood.  In His Steps was wildly successful, selling millions of copies.

Settlement Houses

Many of the major cities with a large industrial working class, particularly those with large numbers of immigrants, had a settlement house.  Settlement houses were like community centers, established to help deal with slum problems in large cities.  Backed by wealthy donors, settlement houses were typically staffed by affluent, idealistic young women who lived in the houses.  Settlement houses offered community members a wide variety of services, including classes in English, citizenship, cooking, and hygiene.  Settlement houses also hosted daycare centers, gymnasiums, and even theaters.

The settlement house efforts represented the first reform movement with widespread participation by women.  The most famous settlement house, Chicago’s Hull House, was established by Jane Addams in 1889.