What caused the progressive movement, and how did it get under way?
The progressive movement was caused by a renewed interest in social issues and a revival of the ideals on which America was founded. With the settling of a relatively new industrial and capitalist society many aspects of life changed for the worse. Labor was unregulated (working hours, working conditions, workers’ compensation). Racial segregation and lynching went unchecked. Women, leaving the domestic sphere, realized their lack of power and rights and they embraced waged labor in an industrial setting. Social activists realize that individuals could no longer be held responsible for the plight in which they found themselves because a larger force was at work (capitalism and industrialization). Government was repeatedly seen favoring large industries powerful capitalists. Such corruption needed urgent addressing. These issues were addressed by prominent Progressivists and specific Progressive movements of the time: Labor was largely organized into unions and clubs which sought to bet
