Progressives in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries supported various economic and social reforms to increase government regulation of the economy, improve working conditions and social welfare, protect the environment, and promote democratic institutions.
One of the key objectives of Progressives during this period was to curb the power of corporations and monopolies that had gained significant influence and often operated with little regulatory oversight. Monopolies, in particular, were seen as having excessive market control and harming consumers through high prices, reduced competition, and poor or unsafe working conditions.
For example, Progressives advocated for anti-trust legislation to promote competition and sought regulatory measures to curb excessive corporate power. These efforts contributed to increased federal regulation of industries, financial institutions, and large corporations to ensure broader access to markets, fairer terms for consumers, better working conditions, and balanced economic growth.