What best describes the Progressive Movement's view of government and business?

• A. Reform how government and business operated and make government more democratic
• B. Expand laissez-faire policies
• C. Increase tariffs to protect industry
• D. Promote imperial expansion

Answer: (A)

The Progressive Movement aimed to use government as a active reformer to counter the power of big business and to make government more responsive to ordinary people. It was not about letting business run without oversight or expanding free-market liberty without rules. Progressives pushed for regulate-and-reform ideas: breaking up or supervising trusts, creating agencies to oversee industries, protecting consumers and workers, and enacting democratic reforms like direct primaries and mechanisms that gave citizens a greater say in government. This combination—reforming how business operated to curb abuses and expanding democratic participation—best matches the description of the movement’s view. The other options don’t fit because Progressives did not advocate returning to laissez-faire, favor higher tariffs as a central aim, or promote imperial expansion as a domestic governance goal.