What was the primary goal of the Progressive Movement?

The primary goal of the Progressive Movement was to address economic and social inequalities that arose during a time of rapid industrialization and urbanization in the United States. Progressives sought to combat the injustices that resulted from this transformation, including the exploitation of workers, unsafe living and working conditions, and the growing gap between the wealthy and the poor. They aimed to reform various aspects of American life, such as labor practices, education, healthcare, and government corruption, advocating for rights such as women’s suffrage and social welfare programs.

This movement was characterized by the belief that government should play a more active role in addressing these issues and promoting social justice. The Progressive Era, roughly from the 1890s to the 1920s, saw the implementation of significant reforms at local, state, and federal levels, including antitrust laws to regulate monopolies, child labor laws, and the establishment of regulatory agencies to ensure fair practices in business.

The other choices reflect ideas that were not central to the Progressive Movement. The expansion of the American frontier was more applicable to earlier periods, such as Manifest Destiny. Strengthening the military and establishing imperialism abroad were more associated with American foreign policy initiatives in the late 19th and early 20th centuries,