Examine the role of religion in shaping the progressive movement. What

Examine the role of religion in shaping the progressive movement. What changes did religious reformers seek and were they successful in their efforts?

Answer:

ANSWER
An ideal answer will:
1. Discuss the emergence of the Social Gospel as a set of religious ethics to industrial conditions and thereby alleviating poverty, slums, and labor exploitation. Some ministers called on their parishioners to think about what Jesus would do in a certain situation.
2. Discuss the emergence of the temperance movement and how religious values helped shape the values of women who decided to take action against alcohol, which they blamed for financial hardship and the outbreak of spousal and child abuse in the family. Alcohol was now viewed as an evil that society could eradicate.
3. Discuss how photographer and author Jacob Riis exposed the horrific housing conditions the poor faced in New York, and religious groups and church congregations became the first receptive audience to hear what Riis had uncovered.
4. Discuss how ministers and writers called on citizens to work as missionaries in cities and to give away their excess wealth to assist the poor. Some called a wealthy Christian a contradiction in terms. Thus, many Protestant Christians and Catholics joined the progressive movement to help the poor of the inner cities because of the message they received on Sunday. Furthermore, Catholics supported labor unions that supported workers who did battle against the unethical business monopolies in America.
5. Write a concise and effective conclusion that highlights how religion helped shape the progressive movement.