The Progressive movement was more a triumph for liberalism than for conservatism. Progressivism was based upon the ideas of the former Greenback Labor Party, and sought the same goals: control of trusts, killing the political machine, and to improve living conditions. These goals were all more or less accomplished under the legislation of Presidents Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson. In addition many key progressive reforms were made during the Progressive era.

Progressivism was built on the dissolved Greenback Labor Party and the goals of populism. The populist goals were carried forward with progressivism and over time were all passed: railroad legislation, income tax, expanded currency and credit structure, direct election of senators, initiative, referendum, and recall. These populist ideas were geared to rural life, but they appealed to the progressives who sought to control trusts, political machines, consumer protection, conservation, and social injustice.

Through a series of reforms, Progressives...