The first Progressives felt called to action by

The Progressive Movement:

Today, you hear the term ''progressive'' discussed a lot in politics, but progressivism is not a new concept. It was first used to describe policies and interventions of the late 19th to early 20th century, by reformers who felt the need for societal changes.

The first Progressives felt called to action in response to the conditions of poverty, inequality, and corruption that were pervasive during the 19th century.