The Twentieth Century began with what is called the progressive era, and in many ways the underlying trend toward reform and positive change has continued to be the hallmark of the century. This was also a century which featured two worldwide wars and many smaller conflicts, a Cold War that could have led to an even more terrible conflict, and many social tensions, yet overall the trend has been toward increased peace and world harmony.
Progressivism was shaped around core ideas: 1) a commitment to social justice; and 2) a search for order and for the restoration of the social order. The goals of the Progressive movement involved specific needs in society at the time, needs brought about by a long period of neglect during the time when the country was becoming industrialized and urbanized: 1) housing in cities; 2) an end to government corruption; 3) build better schools; 4) eliminate poverty; 5) abolish child labor and regulate women's work; and 6) regulate men's work. By the turn of the century America had changed profoundly, as had its problems. Americans were becoming more aware of the fact that they had yet to accommodate to these changes or to adapt their laws and techniques of government to a new age of large and complex organizations: "They had yet to fulfill their national promise of individual liberty, opportunity, and dignity for men and women" (Blum et al. 495). Effecting these changes was the overall goal of the Progressives.
The Progressives wanted to change these conditions and had faith in democratic processes and faith in government while they were hostile to any concentration of private power. They believed in the government and in using it to effect change:
In their view, the state and especially expert agencies created by the state would mediate the tensions between rich and poor, the powerful and the weak (Blum et al. 507).
While the Progressives were democratic in tone and belief, they also h...