Question

why were the progressives against strong political parties and powerful corporations?

Answer 1

The progressives believe in equality among the masses and growth of all classes together.

These progressives are against big political parties and corporations as they believe that such parties only work for greed and to gather money for private use. They do not work for the masses. Similarly, they believe that the big corporations exploit the poor workers and laborers and make money at their expense. Thus, they only push the poor poorer and make the rich richer.

This makes the progressives voice their opinions against such parties and corporations.