A New Century The Progressive Movement p

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

The Terrell Election Law The Progressives believed that voting was the cornerstone of democracy. The Progressives believed that voting was the cornerstone of democracy. In 1903 the state legislature passed the Terrell Election Law to ensure that election would be carried out fairly. In 1903 the state legislature passed the Terrell Election Law to ensure that election would be carried out fairly. The law called for secret ballots and restricted campaigning near polling booths. The law called for secret ballots and restricted campaigning near polling booths. An important provision required that major political parties hold primary elections in order to select the party’s official candidate. An important provision required that major political parties hold primary elections in order to select the party’s official candidate. Those selected run in the general election. Those selected run in the general election.

Votes for Women The election reforms still left women disqualified from voting. The election reforms still left women disqualified from voting. In 1893 Rebecca Henry Hayes organized the Texas Equal Rights Association. In 1893 Rebecca Henry Hayes organized the Texas Equal Rights Association. In 1903 the Finnegan sisters founded the Equal Suffrage League of Houston. In 1903 the Finnegan sisters founded the Equal Suffrage League of Houston. Opposition to woman suffrage was strong. Opposition to woman suffrage was strong. Many traditionalists argued that women had no need to vote because men would protect their rights. Many traditionalists argued that women had no need to vote because men would protect their rights. Others said that women would neglect their homes and children if they became more involved in political affairs. Others said that women would neglect their homes and children if they became more involved in political affairs.

Votes for Women Suffragists claimed that if women had the right to vote, they could be even more effective in their traditional roles. Suffragists claimed that if women had the right to vote, they could be even more effective in their traditional roles. They could cast their ballots in favor of better schools, more playgrounds, safe parks, and improved public health. They could cast their ballots in favor of better schools, more playgrounds, safe parks, and improved public health. Suffragists wrote letters, signed petitions, and lobbied state legislators to let women vote. Suffragists wrote letters, signed petitions, and lobbied state legislators to let women vote. In 1918 Texas women won the right to vote in party primaries by making a deal with the new governor, William P. Hobby. In 1918 Texas women won the right to vote in party primaries by making a deal with the new governor, William P. Hobby.

Votes for Women In the deal, women promised that if he would sign a bill granting women the right to vote in primaries, they would support him in the forthcoming election. In the deal, women promised that if he would sign a bill granting women the right to vote in primaries, they would support him in the forthcoming election. Hobby signed the bill, and the suffragists threw their support to him. Hobby signed the bill, and the suffragists threw their support to him. Full voting rights for women throughout the United states were gr4anted by the 19 th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Full voting rights for women throughout the United states were gr4anted by the 19 th amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Prohibition The one issue that aroused the most interest in Texas during the Progressive era was the battle about alcoholic beverages. The one issue that aroused the most interest in Texas during the Progressive era was the battle about alcoholic beverages. Saloons were a target of Progressive reformers because alcohol seemed to be at the center of social ills because they were associated with gambling, the sale of stolen goods, and the planning of crimes. Saloons were a target of Progressive reformers because alcohol seemed to be at the center of social ills because they were associated with gambling, the sale of stolen goods, and the planning of crimes. It was claimed that men who spent their money in saloons forced their families to rely on charity. It was claimed that men who spent their money in saloons forced their families to rely on charity. One of the groups most involved in trying to end alcohol sales was the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). One of the groups most involved in trying to end alcohol sales was the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).

Prohibition The Texas Anti-Saloon League formed in 1907 and became another powerful voice in the battle to outlaw drinking in the state. The Texas Anti-Saloon League formed in 1907 and became another powerful voice in the battle to outlaw drinking in the state. The brewing industry opposed prohibition. The brewing industry opposed prohibition. In 1918, Texas approved a statewide prohibition law, and in 1919 the 18 th amendment to the U.S. constitution made prohibition the law of the land throughout the United States. In 1918, Texas approved a statewide prohibition law, and in 1919 the 18 th amendment to the U.S. constitution made prohibition the law of the land throughout the United States. Prohibition was in effect nationally from 1920 to Prohibition was in effect nationally from 1920 to Many people resented the law and broke it. The law was repealed in 1933 because it was thought that the repeal would help improve the economy. Many people resented the law and broke it. The law was repealed in 1933 because it was thought that the repeal would help improve the economy.