progressive reforms in the local, state, and national levels

The growth of industries and cities in the 20th century created many problems. There was a huge gap between the wealthy and destitute people. A small number of people held a large proportion of the nation’s wealth while others fell into poverty. Workers faced long hours, dangerous conditions, poor pay, and an uncertain future. Big business became closely allied with government, and political machines, which offered services in return for votes, controlled some city governments. Progressive reformers sought to remedy the problems created by industrialization and urbanization. To progressives, economic privilege and corrupt politics threatened democracy. The different types of reforms supported by progressives at the Municipal, State and National level were both similar and different. The progressive reforms were different in that the different levels of government focused on different topics. The municipal level of government focused on political machines run by corrupt bosses and mon...