Progressive Movement Practice Exam

What was a primary goal of the Progressive movement?

1. Reduce government involvement in social issues

2. Promote laissez-faire policies

3. Correct the problems caused by industrialization

4. Promote settlement of land west of the Mississippi River

The correct answer is: Correct the problems caused by industrialization

The primary goal of the Progressive movement was to correct the problems caused by industrialization. This movement emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to the rapid changes brought about by industrial growth, urbanization, and immigration. Progressives sought to address a variety of social, political, and economic issues that arose as a result of these transformations, including poor working conditions, child labor, lack of workers’ rights, and corruption in government. By promoting reforms such as labor laws, regulations on industries to ensure safety and fairness, as well as efforts to improve living conditions in urban areas, the Progressive movement aimed to create a more equitable society. The emphasis on reform was rooted in the belief that government should play an active role in addressing social injustices and serving the public good, in stark contrast to the ideas of minimal government intervention that the other choices suggest.