Annotated Bibliography of Essay

Anderson, William G. "Progressivism: An Historiographical Essay." The History Teacher 5 (1973): 427-52.

William Anderson’s essay provides a brief introduction to the development of American historical thought towards the era of Progressivism. He believes that this era is important because the elements that define our modern American liberal state—bureaucracy and social welfare—have their roots in the turn of the 20th century. Anderson is interested in demonstrating that historians from different generations were influenced by unique economic and political situations and subsequently arrived at interpretations of Progressivism that fit within the prevailing academic understanding of their time. These disparate conclusions are varied in almost every aspect: perceived leadership, origins of reform, objectives, and reasons for the end of the era.

Anderson addresses each of the following interpretations in a more-or-less chronological order. He starts with the “Old Liberal” interpretation of the 1920’s. Next he examines the emergence of the “Consensus” view championed by Hofstadter. The “Regional” approach follows and is applauded for recognizing the conflicting interests of many of the reformers. The radical 1960’s produces the “New Left’s” critique of Progressivism as corporation-dominated. After a brief look at some revisionist interpretations of old theories Anderson describes the view from the 1970’s that Progressivism never truly existed as a unified movement.

The conclusion of the essay is that the new computer-based and quantitative methodology will contribute significant, yet limited, advances to our understanding of this era. The primary engine for new interpretation has proven to be a changing political-cultural climate, not methodological innovations. Because the political spectrum is represented across the board in Progressive history the future works will carve out niches somewhere in-between.