Question

Some historians note that the Progressive Era presented three paradoxes (contradictions). These are:

1. The Progressives started as a grassroots movement but left a legacy of a stronger presidency and greater federal involvement in the economy and social welfare.
2. The Progressives believed in social justice but sometimes promoted social control.
3. The Progressives called for greater democracy but fostered elitism with an emphasis on experts and efficiency.

Explain three paradoxes of Progressivism, using specific historical examples of the underlined phrases.

a) Paradox 1: Grassroots movement; Paradox 2: Social justice; Paradox 3: Democracy
b) Paradox 1: Social control; Paradox 2: Democracy; Paradox 3: Grassroots movement
c) Paradox 1: Federal involvement; Paradox 2: Social justice; Paradox 3: Elitism
d) Paradox 1: Democracy; Paradox 2: Elitism; Paradox 3: Social control

Answer 1

The three paradoxes of Progressivism include a stronger presidency and federal involvement, a balance between social justice and social control, and a tension between democracy and elitism.

Step-by-step explanation:

The three paradoxes of Progressivism are:

1. The Progressives started as a grassroots movement but left a legacy of a stronger presidency and greater federal involvement in the economy and social welfare. For example, the Progressive movement initially focused on state and local reforms, but their efforts eventually led to federal government regulations like the Pure Food and Drug Act and the creation of federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration.
2. The Progressives believed in social justice but sometimes promoted social control. An example of this paradox is the temperance movement, where Progressives advocated for the prohibition of alcohol in order to improve the lives of the working poor, but this also meant imposing restrictions on personal freedom.
3. The Progressives called for greater democracy but fostered elitism with an emphasis on experts and efficiency. This can be seen with the creation of the Federal Reserve System, which put monetary policy in the hands of a select group of experts, rather than allowing for direct democratic control.