Final answer:
The Progressives were a group of reformers active from the 1890s to the early 1920s who worked to improve American society and governance through government regulation and social justice initiatives, including women's suffrage and workers' rights. Their movement began on a grassroots level and expanded to affect federal policies, primarily driven by middle-class, educated individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Progressives were a group of reformers active during the Progressive Era, a period that spanned from the 1890s to the early 1920s. They sought to address the challenges posed by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and corruption through government regulation and social reforms. The movement was most notable for its promotion of social justice, efficiency in government and industry, and the expansion of democracy. Women's suffrage, workers' rights, fair pay, and anti-liquor campaigns were among the many causes championed by the Progressives.
Influenced by the era's muckraking journalists, who highlighted social inequalities, the movement began on a grassroots level, with efforts like the settlement house movement. However, by the early 20th century, it had gained momentum and began to influence federal government policies. While the movement was diverse, it was primarily spearheaded by middle-class, educated Americans who believed in improving capitalism rather than implementing socialism.
In 1912, the Progressive Party, also known as the Bull Moose Party, was formed by former President Theodore Roosevelt in an effort to create a political alternative which would directly address the issues the Progressives stood for. Despite its eventual dissolution after the 1916 election, the Progressive Party, and the wider Progressive movement, had a lasting impact on American politics and society.