The muckrakers and reformers of the Progressive Era were part of
an American tradition. And like most of their predecessors and
successors, they met with only partial success. You might want
to take this opportunity to explore exactly why. Were
Progressives limited by barriers within the economic and social
system? Or were they inhibited by the limitations of their own
vision for reform? Similarly we encourage you to explore the
question of tactics with your students, and we have included
some activities that will help you do so. How is reform best
advanced? Through the confrontational tactics of Carry A. Nation
or the accommodating approach of Jane Addams? Were the shocking
images of urban destitution taken by Jacob Riis most helpful to
the reformers’ cause, or were the ennobling portraits of
industrial workers and immigrants taken by Lewis Hine?