Chapter 21: 1900-1917 Who were the progressives and what reforms did they pursue? To answer this question, we must analyze the causes of progressivism General causes: The 1890s ? the 1890s were a cause of Progressivism, mainly b/c they sucked. In the 1890s, all the tensions built up during industrialization broke loose in the Panic of 1893, labor problems, political issues, and foreign entanglements. Capitalism out of control ? Partially b/c of the depression, many people started to realize that capitalism, w/ its monopolistic tendencies and rampant destruction of natural resources needed just a bit of restraint. Screwed-Up Cities ? Disease, poverty and crime were often rampant. Immigration? viewed as problems to society, feared urban immorality, social disorder, etc.