“Progressives believed that the family was the foundation of American society; therefore, municipal government should work to strengthen and enhance the family” (City/Municipal Reforms 292). As seen after the Second Industrial Revolution, American reformers redefined how we understand the role of government and the Constitution. Arguably, the American reformers that redefined our view the most are the Progressives because of the “positive” liberty view they imposed upon government, their call to change through state and federal reforms, and their creation of new civic associations.
The Progressive Era witnessed a fundamental shift in the understanding of liberty. Americans previously embraced the thought of “negative” liberty, which” if you have ever said to your older sister or brother ‘You are not the boss of me!’ you have identified the core of negative liberty” (Madsen 267). Americans, wanting their life to be their life, valued individual autonomy and freedom from government interference. It was their liberty. However, Progressive reformers challenged this notion, arguing for a “positive” liberty, which aimed to correct people’s behavior and safeguard them from unfortunate future choices. The Progressives brought this idea, which changed our view of the constitution’s claim to liberty, because of the impurity they saw with their husbands at saloons and bars; with the poor people of society not being treaded correctly; and with the rich divorcing their spouses.
As this ideological shift of “positive” liberty spread throughout mainstream society, the Progressive reformers enacted local, state, and federal reforms. At the local level, initiatives such as the establishment of city managers and commissioner plans sought to enhance urban family life. Government was changed as it provided parks, recreation centers, and utilities to the citizens. At the state level, Progressive influence tore down Jim Crow laws and segregation of black Americans, making the government power be checked by the people. Finally, the Progressives reformers took initiative within congress to pass the Pure Food and Drug Act, Meat Inspection Act, and other acts, which caused the Second Industrial Revolution companies and the societal norms to be corrected (City/Municipal Reforms). At each of these levels, Progressive reformers changed our view upon society and instilled a new role for government.
Moreover, Progressive reformers recognized the importance of social institutions in shaping societal values and behaviors. Organizations like the Boy Scouts of America, founded during this period, aimed to instill moral virtues and civic responsibility in young men, contributing to the creation of a more virtuous and cohesive society.
In conclusion, the Progressive Era marked a transformative period in American history, which changed how the government and constitution could be used to change our society and promote the idea of “positive” liberty. It, however, was the Progressive reformers that changed our view of the government, because they brought the idea of “positive” liberty into society and lead many successful reforms, which changed the local, state, and federal government roles.
