Progressive Era Questions revised

Progressive Era Questions
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Progressive Era Questions
(Q1)
The Progressive Era existed between the 1890S and 1920S in the U.S. This was the period when social activism, as well as political reforms, prevailed. The progressive movement aimed at countering and therefore solving the problems brought about by state corruption, industrialization. Immigration and foreign settlers. Notably, the movement focused on making changes in political machines (Tindall & Shi, 2012). The reason behind this is that they wanted to cleanse the public offices, render them free from corruption and establish democracy. Al Smith, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Charles Evans, Jennings Bryan, Herbert Hoover among others are some of the political leaders who contributed to achieving the goals of the movement.
Reportedly, the progressive era was a success as evident by how the personalities managed to reduce the rate of corruption and other associated problems. The political as well as the social reforms that were executed managed to make the society a better place by creating justice and preventing the negative impacts of industrialization. For instance, both the rights of the workers as well as those of the consumers were protected. Policies to promote justice and ensure professionalism in business were formed and implemented. To ensure full success of the movements, competent people would have been employed to combat corruption and eliminate unethical business practices.

(Q3)
Social gospel was a social group or rather movement formed by the Christian Protestant groups. The movement became vocal and therefore expanded during the late 19th century and the early 20th century in the U.S. Christian’s doctrines and values were highly incorporated and utilized by the movement (Tindall & Shi, 2012). Certainly, issues of social importance such as war, poverty, racial tensions, alcoholism, poor schools, child labour and others were the focal point of the movement. Reverend Henry Ward Beecher who was a minister of the Plymouth Congregational Church in Brooklyn was a notable figure who focused on ethical capitalism. He criticized economic as well as social injustices. During the 1870s, the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) preached about the place of the poor in the society.
Washington Gladden talked about division and discrimination of people on the basis of class (Tindall & Shi, 2012). He was a Congregational pastor in Springfield, Massachusetts and therefore he controlled a multitude of people. Walter Rauschenbusch, who was a seminary professor preached to the poor a message of hope and the importance of uplifting each other. He urged them to share and live in unity as this will better their situation. It is inarguable that all these social gospel personalities used religion to denounce, discrimination, injustices, corruption and other illegal deeds taking place in the society. As such, the impact that they cause in eliminating injustices confirms that religion has a moral responsibility of fighting social problems. This is because religious doctrines criticize all forms of social injustices.

Discussion Question
The Spanish American war started in 1898, April after the mysterious explosion which took place in the war that was taking place in the Havana Harbor which at the U.S Maine. The Besides, the fact that America was supporting the struggle in which the Cubans, as well as the Filipinos, were going through against the rule of the Spanish was also a crucial reason for the war. Apparently, the U.S made a right decision going to the war since this was the time when Cubans were on the verge of fighting for their independence. As well, the explosion that had occurred was believed to have been set by the Spanish. The U.S played a crucial role since the war helped significantly in protecting Cuba and enabling it to attain its independence. Even though the war led to several negative impacts in both the Spanish and American side, it is justified as at the end, peace and justice were reinstated. The social problems, as well as the injustices that existed, were eliminated and the social and economic life of the people improved profoundly.
Reference
Tindall, G. B., & Shi, D. E. (2012). America: A Narrative History: Brief Ninth International Student Edition. WW Norton & Company.