Many of the functions of the government and present political practices date back to the Progressive Era. Progressives are people who want to reform, or change society for the better. They used moral outrage and religion to spur reform movements.  Progressive reformers were mostly middle-class, native born members of society. Reformers targeted political corruption by trying to end political machines and break up trusts (monopolies on businesses). Progressive reforms were a direct response to the actions of the Robber Barons of the Gilded Age and the conditions in society that resulted. The Progressive Era took place over a period of time, between the middle to late 1800's through the 1920's. Three Presidents from this time period were known as the "Progressive Presidents": Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft and Woodrow Wilson.