There are numerous images on this page because the Progressive era of the early 20th century included many different struggles and many different causes. It represented the first flowering of what would become known as "liberalism" in American politics. Essentially, the Progressive idea was that the American people, through their governing institutions and the use of science and professional experts, could improve society. Above are images representing the various causes of Progressives--(top row) limiting the economic power of large corporations and making sure food and drugs were safe for consumers; (middle row) conserving natural resources and, via settlement houses, Americanizing immigrants; and (bottom row) expanding democracy by granting women the right to vote and fighting alcoholism, crime, and domestic abuse through the prohibition of alcoholic beverages.