Answer to Question #161150 in History for Wilson Huang

Question

200-300 words

how does "The Progressive Movement in the United States" apply Charles Tilly's "WUNC" analysis?

 

Answer 1

The Progressive Movement in the United States created an era of political reform and social activism between the 1890sand 1920s. The dynamics surrounding the Progressive Era underpin Charles Tilly’s WUNC analysis. The movement’s objectives included: fighting political corruption, solving the crisis caused by industrialization and migration, regulation of monopolies and corporations and advocating for modified government roles. They believed addressing these problems would further direct democracy. The movement’s dynamics underpin Tilly’s take that masses experiment social movements with democratization and tie it to their social and political objectives.

In line with WUNC display - worthiness, unity, numbers and commitment, the movement asserted worthiness by pushing for sober demeanor, support from the church, presence of women and children as well as having middle class citizens as the driving force. Supporters included mainly teachers, physicians, ministers, lawyers and business persons. The movement demonstrated unity by holding campaigns to protest corrupt officials and to push for reforms, mobilizing activists against the Saloon league, church clergy holding crusades to fight alcohol sale and women forming local clubs and a women’s rights organization to have a unified voice in pushing for an end to their suffering.  In terms of numbers, the progressives grew their base that initially operated locally by seeking support from state and national levels. Commitment was characterized by countrywide campaign to increase public consciousness of social issues, some progressives sponsoring reforms such as eugenics, pushing for the institution of initiative and constitutional referendums.