What is Progressivism?

1. How would you define “progress”?
2. What period in time is referred to as the Progressive Era? Why?  What types of issues and actions, and achievements are associated with the Progressive Era? 
3. Progressives had lots of goals. What do progressive reforms have in common?
4. Evaluate the major goals of Progressives and sort them into these 4 categories: (Or make your own categories or ranking system), such as best to worst.
1. Essential goals worth striving for/ Necessary changes
2. Good Goals – not strictly necessary but could really improve life
3. Strange Goals
4. Not a good idea

I would define progress as making movement towards reaching a goal. The period in time that is referred to as the Progressive Era is the 1890s to the 1920s. It was called this because during this time people were coming up with multiple ideas that could lead to different types of progression within the country. These ideas pertained to economic, social, political and moral changes. "Progressive reformers sought to eliminate corruption in government, regulate business practices, address health hazards, and improve working conditions." Progressive reforms all have in common that their main purpose is to improve the life of the people. Honestly, I think that all of these many goals mentioned go with category one. All of them seem necessary in order for a better life for the people. 

http://www.american-historama.org/1881-1913-maturation-era/progressive-movement.htm 

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraid=11