Women’s Suffrage and Prohibition The Progressive Era Women’s Suffrage and Prohibition

Galveston Reforms City Government As more Texans moved to cities, they found new problems and became more aware of existing ones. The attempts of reformers to solve those political and social problems became known as the Progressive Movement.

Galveston Reforms City Government After the storm of 1900, Galveston moved from a government with a mayor and a city council to a commission form of government—where citizens elect commissioners who together make most of the decisions and the mayor has little power. Five commissioners made the city laws, and each member was in charge of a city department, such as police, fire, or water. Many Texas cities soon adopted this form of government, as did cities across the nation.

The Terrell Election Law The Progressives believed voting was the cornerstone or fundamental part of democracy. In 1903, the Terrell Election Law was passed and required:

The Terrell Election Law major political parties to hold primary elections to select the party’s official candidates. A primary election is an election in which party members choose the party’s candidates for the general election.

The Terrell Election Law The law also called for secret ballots and restricted campaigning near polling booths.

Women’s Suffrage For over 50 years, women in the United States had been fighting for the right to vote in elections. This was a movement for women’s suffrage, or right to vote. Election reforms that took place in 1903 still left women without the right to vote many women became determined to change that.

Votes for Women Several groups were organized to change election laws exempting women from voting. In 1893, Rebecca Henry Hayes founded the Texas Equal Rights Association (“TELA”) of Galveston, and in 1903 the Finnegan sisters founded the Equal Suffrage League of Houston.

Opposition to Women’s Suffrage c. Those strongly opposed to women’s suffrage argued that women had no need to vote, and that men would protect their rights. They also argued that women involved in politics would neglect their homes and children.

Arguments for Women’s Suffrage d. Suffragists argued that if a woman could be held legally responsible for her actions, she should be able to vote. They also argued that if women had the right to vote they would be more effective in their traditional roles. They claimed women could vote for better schools, more playground, safer parks, and improved public health

Women Gain the Right to Vote f. In 1918, Texas women made a deal with the new governor, William P. Hobby. They promised to support him in his election if he would sign a bill allowing women to vote in primaries. g. Hobby agreed, women voted for the first time, and he won by a landslide. Gov. William P. Hobby

Women Gain the Right to Vote In 1920, the Nineteenth (19th) Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted full voting rights to women.

Prohibition a. Progressive reformers targeted the sale of alcohol beverages as the center of social problems. They argued that saloons were associated with illegal activities. b. Organizations such as the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), the Anti-Saloon League and church groups worked to pass a law to prohibit alcoholic beverages.

Arguments for Prohibition Groups in favor of prohibition argued that alcohol was at the center of many social problems Saloons were associated with gambling and crime Many groups argued that men would spend their money on alcohol, leaving their family without money to live

Opposition to Prohibition c. The brewing industry opposed prohibition, as did conservatives who opposed a strong federal government. Many immigrants from Italy and Germany also opposed prohibition.

Prohibition Laws d. In 1918, Texas approved a statewide prohibition law making it illegal to make and sell alcohol in Texas. e. In 1919 the Eighteenth (18th) Amendment to the U.S. Constitution made prohibition the law of the land. f. The 18th Amendment was an unpopular law and it was eventually repealed in 1933.