The Progressive Era

The Progressive Era The inauguration of President McKinley in 1897 had seemed to mark the end of an era of domestic turmoil and the beginning of a new period of unparalleled tranquility. Prosperity was returning after the devastating panic of 1893. The agrarian uprising led by Bryan in the election of 1896 had been turned back, and the national government was securely in the hands of friends of big business. The Dingley Tariff Act of 1897 greatly increased tariff …

…initiatives failed and courts struck down Progressive legislation 4. Government remained mainly under the influence of business and industry 5. Outbreak of World War I dampened enthusiasm of attempts to use governments to create just societies on earth Progressive accomplishments 1. Trust-busting forced industrialists to notice public opinion 2. Legislation gave federal and state governments the tools to protect consumers 3. Income tax helped build government revenues and redistribute wealth 4. Progressives successfully challenged traditional institutions and approaches to domestic problems.