Final answer:
Progressive ideas spread during the era of 1880-1920 due to a desire for a perfected democracy and a focus on social justice and reform.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Progressive ideas spread during the era of 1880-1920 due to two key reasons:
- Desire for a perfected democracy: Progressives believed that Americans needed to exert more control over their government in order to address the needs of its citizens. They pushed for direct democracy through state-level reforms to give citizens more power in decision-making.
- Social justice and reform: Progressives sought to address social inequities and improve working conditions. They focused on issues like curbing the power of special interests, promoting safer working conditions, banning alcohol sales, and exposing social inequality through muckraking journalism.