. Analyze the roots of progressivism and the various elements that made up the progressive coalition. Show particularly the role of muckraking journalists and female reformers in arousing public opinion in favor of the reform.
             The growth of industry and cities were the two main things that started reform and progressivism. Rapid growth in industry made a demand for workers in factories. These workers had to work long hours in dangerous conditions for very low salaries. Big businesses got involved with government. "Indeed, big businesses often received favorable treatment from government officials and politicians."(The Americans p.496)
             The growth of industry and cities created problems. People began to see that economic privilege and corrupt politics were negatively affecting democracy. Reformers wanted to get rid of political corruption take away the power that big corporations had, end business monopolies, get rid of political corruption, make elections more democratic, protect workers, and make the gap between classes shorter. All of these issues started reform.
             The YMCA and the Salvation Army protected social welfare. The YMCA gave young people things to do. Libraries swimming pools and handball courts were built. The Salvation Army had soup kitchens nurseries and helped poor immigrants pick up the values of hard work and temperance. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union fought to get rid of alcohol to promote Moral Reform. Scientific principles were applied to the work place to make tasks easier and make workers more productive. Muckrakers informed everyone that the economy needed reform.
             Journalists that exposed political corruption were known as muckrakers. "President Theodore Roosevelt gave them the name "muckrakers," after a character in the book Pilgrim's Progress, "the Man with the Muckrake," who was more preoccupied with filth than with Heaven above."(Digital History.com) Popular magazin...