During the 1800s industry in America grew rapidly. But, various problems arose due to this change: business monopolies, dishonest politics, city slums, and poor working conditions in factories and mines. The inspirations for the rise of Progressivism stemmed from these problems. By the 1890s concerned Americans saw the need to take action and tackle these economic, political, and social problems.
Progressives saw the existence of business monopolies as one major problem during the late-nineteenth century. When one party has exclusive control of a certain commodity it limits competition. Often this results in higher prices and smaller quantities of the product. Many Americans saw the injustice of this and were moved to bring about economic reforms.
Economic reforms of the progressive movement included more government regulation of businesses. The Sherman Antitrust Act passed in 1890 responded to the problem of business monopolies. The act banned industrial monopolies that limited competition. This did not have much effect at first due to its vague wording. However, Progressives kept fighting for a stronger reform to stop business abuses. Thus in 1914 the Federal Trade Commission was set up. This commission successfully helped stop illegal business practices.
Another inspiration for Progressivism stemmed from dishonest politics. In one of his articles Lincoln Steffens, a journalist, explains that the corruption of government found in Tammany Hall:.
"Tammany leaders are usually the natural leaders of the people in these districts, and they are originally good-natured, kindly men. No one has a more sincere liking than I for some of those common but generous fellows; their charity is real, at first. But they sell out their own people.