The progressive era was the response of different groups to the problems that were caused by the rapid industrialization and urbanization that came after the Civil War. Some of these problems included the spread of poverty, the exploitation of labor, the breakdown of democratic government caused by the emergence of political organizations, or machines, and a rapid movement toward financial and industrial concentration. Many Americans feared that combinations of economic and political power were destroying their historic traditions of responsible democratic government and free economic opportunity. So they began to form what we know today as the progressives.
             The progressives were made up of new, middle class professionals who were looking to apply principals of professions to problems they saw in society. Muckraking journalists were also known as progressives. They attacked corruption and scandal with a sense of moral outrage. Another group were the political reformers. Then there were the socialists. This group was consisted of frustrated workers who promised to destroy capitalism. However, most other progressives rejected socialists because they were too extreme in their goals and methods.
             The odd thing about the progressive era was that there was never a single movement. The numerous actions for reform on the local, state, and national levels were too diverse to fit together. Thus many progressives had different views. However there were themes that were consistent throughout the era.
             The era itself was characterized by three themes. The first was the anger Americans felt over the excesses of industrial capitalism and urban growth. While citizens were excited at the thought of their ability to improve social and economic conditions, they did not like some of the things that were going on. This is where the muckrakers came into play. Lincoln Steffens was famous for exposing city machines in The Shame of the Cities. Then ...