1. Chapter 15 Political Reform & the Progressive Era p. 514-539
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Americans organize to press for reforms in many areas of government and society.

2. Chapter 15, Section 1 The Gilded Age & Progressive Reform p. 518-522
Reformers known as Progressives try to end government corruption and limit the influence of big business.

3. 15.1 section focus question:
How did reformers try to end government corruption and limit the influence of big business?

4. Reform in the Gilded Age
Main Idea: Many Americans seek to fight corruption by ending the spoils system and controlling big business.
Period after the Civil War called the Gilded Age
coated in a thin layer of gold
Civil Service jobs given out through the ‘spoils system’.
a system that includes most Federal jobs in the executive branch
Wealthy are enriching themselves at public’s expense
Civil Service Commission fills federal jobs based on merit
Job applicants have to pass a test to be considered for the position.
Calls for Civil Service Reform
(see cartoon on p. 519)

5. Fighting Corporate Corruption!
Big business exerts influence on government.
Americans demand that federal government limit the power of the railroads and other monopolies!
To curb the influence of the railroad: President Cleveland signs the Interstate Commerce Act
Set up a commission to oversee railroads and fight corruption.
President #22 AND #24: Grover Cleveland signs Interstate Commerce Act

6. Fighting Corruption in Cities!
Corruption a serious problem in local government
Political bosses take bribes from big business
Local bosses popular with poor workers
William (Boss) Tweed cheats New York City out of $100 million (1860s-1870s)
New York journalist exposes Tweed’s corruption
Tweed dies in prison in 1878
Boss Tweed and the corrupt
“Tammany Hall” ring

7. Progressives and Political Reform
Main Idea: Political reformers called Progressives work to give more power to voters and expose social problems.
The Wisconsin Plan: Governor Robert La Follette opposes political bosses, fights the railroad, and reforms the electoral process
Voters get more power:
primary, recall, initiative, and referendum
Constitutional Amendments:
16th: Progressives support graduated income tax - a method of taxation that taxes people at different rates depending on their income
17th: the people elect U.S. Senators directly.
p. 521
What the Progressives Wanted!

8. Puck Magazine asks America, “Who is really in charge?
The Muckrakers
Main Idea: By exposing corruption and other problems, journalists win public support for Progressive reform.
muckrakers – crusading journalists who expose abuse to the general public
Ida Tarbell: accused John D. Rockefeller & Standard Oil of unfair business practices.
Jacob Riis photographed and wrote about the poverty in the slums of America.
- How the Other Half Lives
Upton Sinclair writes the novel, The Jungle.
Exposes abuses in the meat packing industry
See p
Puck Magazine asks America,
“Who is really in charge?

9. 15.1 section focus question:
How did reformers try to end government corruption and limit the influence of big business?
Reformers passed laws to limit corruption and give people (voters) more direct political power. They also used the press (muckrakers)to expose government corruption and the abuses of big business.