What does it mean to be a Progressive? Simply put, Progressives advocate change or reform. Politically speaking, Progressives believe that the government should be responsive to the needs of its citizens in order to improve conditions in government and society. During the Progressive Era, from around 1900-1917, reformers sought to end abuses of power in politics and government.
Local Political ReformsMany large cities were controlled by political machines, which were organizations that controlled the activities of a political party. Under city bosses, political machines were able to corrupt the city governments by bribing judges, providing contracts to businessmen in return for favors, and filling city jobs with political supporters, regardless of their qualifications. Special interest groups, such as labor unions and trade associations, lobbied for reform and stood up to the power of the political machines. Sometimes the political machines took on reforms themselves in order to maintain influence and keep their organizations in operation.
