Shifting Focus: Progressivism in State, Local, & National Govt’s

USH2.H.4 Conflict & Compromise

Essential Standards• The Progressive Movement (1890-1914) • The learner will analyze the economic, political, and social reforms of the Progressive Period.

• Generalizations:• Innovation designed to solve problems may result in the creation of new problems.• Coordinated action by groups or individuals may result in economic, political, and social changes to a nation.• The perceptions and actions of individuals can be influenced by the economic priorities of a nation.

Government Reform•City, state, & national governments were in need of reform:•Corrupt political machines controlled city governments•Monopolists used their wealth to influence politicians, encourage monopolies, & fight labor laws •Political positions were gained based on patronage not merit •Corruption scandals plagued the national government

Quick Class Discussion:What problems existed within the

city, state, & national governments?

Urban Government Reform

• In the 1880s, reformers began to demand change in city gov’ts:•Reformers tried to end patronage (appointment based on loyalty) by passing the Pendleton Act which required merit-based exams •Reformers tried to make gov’t more efficient & break the power of machines by shifting power to city commissions & managers

After a hurricane destroyed the city of Galveston, Texas…

…politicians created the 1st city commission gov’t

Rather than 1 mayor making all decisions, a committee oversaw

different aspects of local government

These changes were much more efficient & less corrupt than traditional city gov’ts

Some cities created their own government-run water, gas, electricity utility companies

Other cities adopted this model, but added a trained city manager to carry out the day-to-day operation of government

Progressive Reform in the States

• Progressive reformers impacted state governments too:•Most states created commissions to oversee state spending•States began regulating railroads & other big businesses to help workers & promote competition•States passed laws limiting work hours for children & women

Progressive Reform in the States

• The most significant state reform was governor Robert La Follette’s “Wisconsin Idea”:•Used academic “experts” from the University of Wisconsin to help create state laws•Wisconsin was the 1st state to create an income tax, form industrial commissions, & regulate railroads

Progressives helped make state governments more democratic

Referendum: Citizens vote to

increase taxes for new programs

State of Texas

Initiative: Citizens can put an

issue on a state ballot & vote to

make it a law

Recall:Citizens

can vote to remove an

elected official

Progressive Reform in the States

• Progressives helped make state governments more democratic:•Most states had direct primary elections to allow voters to choose candidates, not parties• In 1912, the 17th Amendment was ratified which allowed for the direct election of Senators by the people

Direct Primary Elections