The question isn't quite clear, so I'm assuming you mean evaluate the success of the movement in terms of working conditions.
Because so much of the country's population at that time was living in poverty, and working long difficult hours to get to even that level, the progressive movement had to get most of its membership from the small middle class (about 5% of the population at the time). The lower classes did not have the education, time or opportunity to participate in reform efforts in a meaningful way besides labor strikes, which were virtually all unsuccessful.
Later, after Teddy Roosevelt became President, some real reforms were introduced for the first time, but more because of the President's popularity and initiative than by the efforts of progressives themselves.
No comments:
Post a Comment