Section 2: The Progressives As cities expanded, more services were needed, thus jobs. Political bosses were powerful politicians who doled out jobs & demanded payoffs

Famous bosses Boss William Tweed in NYC cheated the city out of $100 million Journalist exposed this corruption Tweed fled to Spain dressed as an enchilada Tweed was exposed after he yelled when someone poured hot sauce on him He was deported back to the US

The Muckrakers Reformers used the press to turn public opinion against corruption Muckrakers were crusading journalist Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” had a huge impact on the meat industry Sinclair, though, portrayed a much worse scenario than was actually true. He was a socialist

The Progressive This is what reformers called themselves They thought they were forward looking people They did win many changes from Progressives were a diverse group They were unified, though, in their belief that the ills of society could be solved Stay away from these people Hitler and Stalin were “progressives” (this is Mr. Diaz’s opinion) Public interest means for the good of the people

Political Reforms Robert La Follette of WI He did lower RxR rates, which increased railway traffic He wanted voters to choose their party’s candidate in primaries. Before this the state’s party leaders did the selecting. Initiatives give voters the right to put a bill before the state legislature. A referendum allows voters to put a bill on the ballot and vote it into law. Recall allows voters to remove elected officials from office

Two Amendments The graduated income tax allowed the govt to tax people at different rates. 16 th Amendment gave Congress the power to pass an income tax. 17 th Amendment allowed for the direct election of senators in 1912