Progressivism in the United States took place in the period between
             the Spanish-American War and the entry of the United States into the
             great World War. It was a time for change in America in all walks of
             life, as well as a time for reform. It was marked by Theodore
             Roosevelt's 7 and a half years in office, the Rough Rider put it upon
             himself to make the first strides towards reform. These reforms
             included the cracking down on illegal monopolies and so forth. During
             this era large cities transformed into large metropolises, small towns
             into large cities and new towns sprang up nearly everywhere. Reforms
             also included the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth amendments.
             The progressive era really had significant impact in America's history.
             The progressive movement had many origins. One of these was the
             battle against governmental corruption and inability, in other words a
             struggle for civil services reform. The progressive movement was
             initiated by liberals in both political parties, the fight for
             government reform can be traced back to Liberal Republicans(An Oxymoron,
             Mr. Jetel?) during the Grant administration and Mugwumps. Citizens
             were enraged, with big businesses' growing influence in all branches of
             government and sought ways to purify it.
             Big Business was also a target of progressivism. During this time
             presidents like Roosevelt and William Howard Taft tried to regulate and
             control big business. Many well educated people of the time, as well
             as moderately prosperous businessmen and members of other
             professions(middle class) felt threatened by the increasing power of
             big business and the tycoons. These people were also disturbed by the
             Big business' influence in politics, making a mockery of the democratic
             system. Then with the failure of the interstate commerce act and the
             Sherman act, made big business look unstoppable. As...