Final answer:
Middle-class reformers believed that government intervention and regulation of big business was the answer to economic hardship. They advocated for antitrust legislation, labor rights, and social welfare programs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Middle-class reformers believed that the answer to the economic hardship of the time was through government intervention and regulation of big business. They advocated for policies such as antitrust legislation, labor rights, and social welfare programs to address the inequalities and exploitations caused by industrialization and capitalism.
For example, the Progressive Era in the early 20th century saw middle-class reformers pushing for reforms like the Sherman Antitrust Act, which aimed to break up monopolies and encourage competition. They also supported the establishment of minimum wage laws, improved working conditions, and the formation of unions to protect workers' rights.
Overall, middle-class reformers believed that a more equitable and fair society could be achieved by addressing economic issues through government intervention and regulation.
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