Which of the following best describes what united progressive reformers?
A. embracing the practices of big business owners
B. opposing the expansion of voting rights for women
C. refuting the laissez-faire attitudes of the Gilded Age
D. believing that citizens were too involved in democracy
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. refuting the laissez-faire attitudes of the Gilded Age.
Explanation:
Progressive reformers, active primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sought to address the economic, social, and political problems that had arisen during the Gilded Age, a period marked by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and political corruption. The Gilded Age was characterized by a laissez-faire economic policy, where the government took a hands-off approach to business and industry, allowing corporations to grow unchecked and exploit both workers and consumers. Progressive reformers strongly opposed this hands-off approach and believed that government intervention was necessary to protect citizens from corporate abuses and to ensure a more equitable society.
Laissez-faire attitudes promoted minimal government involvement in economic affairs, which led to significant disparities in wealth and power, with a concentration of wealth among a few industrial magnates and widespread poverty among workers. Progressive reformers, including figures like Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Jane Addams, advocated for reforms such as labor protections, the regulation of monopolies, and the improvement of public health and education. They sought to use the government as a tool to regulate business practices, curb corporate power, and promote social justice.
In contrast to laissez-faire policies, progressives believed that active government intervention was essential in addressing issues such as child labor, unsafe working conditions, and the influence of political machines. They worked to pass laws that would regulate industry, protect workers, and ensure fairness in political processes.
Other options:
- A (“embracing the practices of big business owners”) is incorrect because progressive reformers were critical of the unchecked practices of big business owners and sought to challenge monopolies and corporate greed.
- B (“opposing the expansion of voting rights for women”) is incorrect because many progressives supported women’s suffrage as part of their broader social reforms.
- D (“believing that citizens were too involved in democracy”) is also incorrect because progressives believed that more democratic involvement, including expanded suffrage and more direct forms of democracy, was crucial to reforming the political system.
Thus, option C accurately reflects the progressive movement’s challenge to the laissez-faire attitude of the Gilded Age.