Reforming America: A Thematic Encyclopedia and Document Collection of the Progressive Era

The “progressive” impulse in America lasted around a generation, roughly from 1900 to 1920. It was the political expression of America’s transition from a small town agrarian culture to a modern industrial state. In 1920, the census showed for the first time that over 50 per cent of Americans were living in cities. Unfortunately, the booming cities boomed too quickly and with too little planning – often none at all. Municipal services, such as they were, gave way under the strain.

The problems were added to by an avalanche of foreign immigration. The newcomers entered a country of scarce labour...