progressivism

“While despised and rejected for a season, won triumphantly in the end.” This quote by John Hicks in 1931, which perfectly states the relationship between Populism and Progressivism. As Populism faded after its rejection in 1892 and 1896 Presidential Elections, a new Progressive platform emerged and took on the goals of Populism. The Progressive reform accomplished its goals as well as the goals of the Populists.

Populism had many goals and aspects, which it pursued and tried to achieve. These aspects were, to reintroduce silver as the monetary base instead of gold, a gradated income tax, government control and ownership of the railroads, secret ballots, direct election of United States Senators, immigration restraints, postal savings banks to compete with private banks, an eight-hour work day, federal government housing of crops, initiative, referendum and recall. The Populist Party, which only existed during the elections of 1892 and 1896, saw few of their ideas become laws or be passed as bills. The first that was passed was the Australian or secret ballot, which was passed in the 1880’s and by the First World War; the entire country was using it. The second goal that they achieved was

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Another progressive who followed in Theodore Roosevelt’s footsteps was President Woodrow Wilson. It was the introduction of initiative, referendum and recall. Roosevelt was a huge supporter of labor and tried everything in his power to improve the condition for United States citizens.

One of the most important rights that are bestowed upon the citizens of the United States was proposed by populists and passed by progressives. The referendum is the direct popular vote on whether or not to accept a proposed law (Reynolds). Progressivism moved slower and was able to pick up on the already introduced Populist ideas and since these ideas didn’t seem so radical at the times of the progressives, they were less likely to encounter opposition. While Populism was too radical for its own good, it still made good use of providing information on the topics that needed to be taken care of in the United States.

Even though Populism died out before it got a chance to accomplish all of its goals, they were all still achieved in the future. Populism was not however the modern liberal tradition, it was very radical and looked for drastic changes. He broke up monopolies and trusts the biggest of which was run by J. The recall is a popular vote that can remove officials from office (text 726). Roosevelt also tried to help consumers by passing the Pure Food and Drug Act. Progressives believed in placing issues of human rights, right within the framework of institutions throughout the country. The Progressive movement was not as diverse as the Populist but it affected just as many people positively.

Approximate Word count = 1317
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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