Make an argument that Progressivism either did or didn't have a positive lasting impact on America. Historians disagree about the lasting impact of...

I would
say that Progressivism did make an impact on America because it changed how capitalism was
viewed.  Much of Progressivism dealt with the idea that capitalism, as an economic order, had to
have some changes to it in order to account for all of American citizens' interests to be heard
and met.  Progressivism was successful in ensuring that the issues of working class individuals,
industrialist greed, and the idea of bringing out "how the other half lives" becomes a
permanent part of the American political, social, and economic lexicon.  In demanding voices to
be heard, Progressivism ensured that American thought would always incorporate the voice of
those who might not readily and openly be heard and acknowledged.  In this light, I would say
that while the movement sought to do much more, it accomplished a great deal in what was
done.