Which political party emerged to push reforms in the early 1900s?

• A. Progressive Party
• B. Democratic Party
• C. Republican Party
• D. Know-Nothing Party

Answer: (A)

During the Progressive Era, reform-minded movements sought to curb the power of monopolies, reduce corruption, and expand democracy and social welfare. A new party formed specifically to push these reforms, led by Theodore Roosevelt after breaking with the Republicans. This party promoted direct primaries, initiative and referendum, recall of officials, stronger regulation of trusts and big business, progressive labor protections, and women's suffrage, along with conservation of natural resources. Their emergence symbolized a focused push for sweeping reforms in the early 1900s, distinguishing them from the long-standing, established parties that had broader traditional platforms. The Know-Nothing Party existed much earlier in the 19th century and is not tied to the reform movement of this era, while the Democratic and Republican parties were older and not newly formed to spearhead reform in that period.