Ministers of Reform: The Progressives' Achievement in American Civilization, 1889-1920

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Summary: The "Spiritual Odyssey" of a Generation
Review: In Ministers of Reform, Robert Crunden traces the backgrounds of many of the leading achievers in the Progressive era. Although the statesmen, social workers, writers, artists, and thinkers were not bound to a common platform and were not members of any single movement, many of them shared common backgrounds and experiences that influenced their political/social ideas. Such commonalties include a religious heritage and (except in the case of Woodrow Wilson) an Abolitionist heritage. Abraham Lincoln was seen as a living ideal as did the Republican party until many became disillusioned by it. Protestantism and education also were important factors. Progressive leaders Crunden looks at include Samuel Hopkins Adams, Jane Addams, Charles A. Beard, William Jennings Bryan, John R. Commons, John Dewey, Richard Ely, Robert Henri, George Herron, Charles Ives, Robert La Follette, George Herbert Mead, Robert Park, Theodore Roosevelt, Upton Sinclair, John Sloan, Frederick Jackson Turner, Harvey Wiley, Woodrow Wilson, and Frank Llloyd Wright. The spirit of innovation and moral rectitude of the Progressive generation made its mark throughout American politics, society, and culture. One important point Cruden makes is that, although many Progressive leaders demonstrated tolerance at home, they often also showed a great deal of intolerance abroad.