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Populist Vs Progressive Era

Decent Essays

During the 1800’s, the growth of industries gave way for corporation owners and influential individuals to unknowingly take control of government operations. In the cartoon above, the large figure dominantly standing over a government building is used to represent the various political machines, such as Boss Tweed, who held a great amount of influence over American politics and economy. In an effort to maintain their power over industries and the government, businesses would use money to ensure that their corruption and bribery would go unnoticed, which is shown through the pouch labeled “For Lobbying” in the cartoon. By having the figures representing the law and justice significantly smaller in size compared to businesses, the cartoonist …show more content…

Although vastly different in their characteristics and motives, the Populist and Progressive era was chiefly caused by the lack of control among the masses and the government. With power revolving around large corporational bosses, individuals of this era sought to enact alterations in order to return order and strength to the people by attempting to limit the authority of corruption. With Progressivism focusing on the purification of American politics, social reforms, such as Women’s Suffrage and prohibition, and the implementation of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth amendments were the main results of the Progressive era. For followers of the Progressive era, eliminating the political corruption of the United States government would only be achieved following the amelioration of their social standards and the unity of the masses. On the other hand, Populists focused their efforts on the repairment of America’s economy. Consisting of frustrated farmers who felt that their agrarian society was threatened by the rise of industrialism. With political machines relying on industries, such as steel and railroads, for their economic needs, the American economy eventually lost the focus on farmers. In order to regain the respect and power previously held, the Populist party called for alterations including an increase in currency and a revenue tariff. Ultimately, Populism and Progressivism acted as a direct representation of the anger and desperation felt by Americans towards those involved in the corruption that shaped America’s

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