What was the trend of the progressives in the early 20th century?

What was the trend of the progressives in the early 20th century?

• A. Right the wrongs of the robber barons
• B. Expand royal authority
• C. Reduce government oversight
• D. Promote laissez-faire

Answer: (A)

The trend being tested is that progressives aimed to reform the economy and government to curb the power of big business and protect ordinary people. In the early 1900s, reformers believed that trusts and robber barons exploited workers and consumers, and they pushed for anti-trust actions, new regulations, and social protections to curb that power. This is why “right the wrongs of the robber barons” is the best fit: it captures the impulse to correct abuses by large corporations and to expand government responsibility for regulating business, safety, and fairness. This era did not seek to expand royal authority, which would concentrate power rather than limit corporate influence. It also did not advocate reducing government oversight or embracing laissez-faire; progressives argued for more government intervention to regulate industry, improve working and living conditions, and protect the public.

The trend being tested is that progressives aimed to reform the economy and government to curb the power of big business and protect ordinary people. In the early 1900s, reformers believed that trusts and robber barons exploited workers and consumers, and they pushed for anti-trust actions, new regulations, and social protections to curb that power. This is why “right the wrongs of the robber barons” is the best fit: it captures the impulse to correct abuses by large corporations and to expand government responsibility for regulating business, safety, and fairness.

This era did not seek to expand royal authority, which would concentrate power rather than limit corporate influence. It also did not advocate reducing government oversight or embracing laissez-faire; progressives argued for more government intervention to regulate industry, improve working and living conditions, and protect the public.