The Progressive Party was formed by a merger of the People's Party, a left-wing populist party, and the Christian Progressive League, a group of temperance organizations that supported Prohibition and progressive social reforms. Both parties, while having different goals in some areas, supported reforms to promote social justice and greater political and economic equality. The party rapidly grew, and in 1930, shortly after the beginning of the Great Depression, the party's nominee, Edward Costigan, was elected president. The Costigan administration put in place major economic reforms, including the establishment of Jefferson's welfare state, and championed civil rights.