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Progressivism & Government with Ronald J. Pestritto | BRI Scholar Talks

Description

How did the philosophy of the Progressive Era transform the role of the American government from the American Founding? In this episode of Scholar Talks, BRI Senior Teaching Fellow Tony Williams talks with Graduate Dean and Professor of Politics at Hillsdale College, Ronald J. Pestritto. Together, they discuss the Progressives' novel views of the Constitution and religion in addition to the impact of Progressivism on current-day governance. In what ways do we see the Progressives' sustained critiques of the Constitution from this era alive in America today?

Related Resources

BRI Scholar Talks Video Playlist

Join BRI Senior Teaching Fellow Tony Williams as he sits down with scholars to discuss historical topics throughout U.S. History.

Gilded Age and Progressive Era

From 1876-1920, the United States went through a period of rapid technological, demographic, and political change. The Gilded Age and Progressive Era curriculum provides students an in-depth look at this formative period in United States history. Through primary-source-based activities and engaging narratives, students will be exposed to this fascinating period and analyze its numerous parallels to today.

The Progressive Movement DBQ

Use this Lesson with the Wilsonian Progressivism Narrative and the Did the Progressive Movement Diverge from Founding Principles and Did It Affect the Purpose of Government? Point-Counterpoint to understand the Progressive Era.

The Progressive Era

Part of the Civil War’s legacy was a shift in the role of the national government. The defeat of the South, Reconstruction, and the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment gave the national government growing power over the states and the people. The Fourteenth Amendment gave the national government power (though exactly how much power was still being debated) to ensure state laws did not violate the rights of the freedmen. Additional amendments during the Progressive Era (the 1890s - 1920s) continued this transfer of power to the national government. In the name of giving power to the people, the national government was given power to tax incomes; states lost their representation in Congress, the manufacture and sale of alcohol was banned, and women achieved the right to vote.