1. Political Reform and the Progressive Era Chapter 19

2. Looking at words… PROGRESSIVE ERA POLITICAL REFORM

3. The Gilded Age and Progressive Reform Section 1

4. Reform in the Gilded Age After Civil War “Gilded Age” Problems below ‘glittery’ surface 2 problems: Greed in business Corruption in government

5. Taming the Spoils System Spoils System: Rewarding supporters with government jobs Effect: Government corruption Catalyst for change: Garfield assassinated Effect: Arthur signs Pendleton Act

6. Pendleton Act Created Civil Service Commission Includes most government jobs Aim: fill jobs based on merit Qualifications and skill How: civil service examinations Highest scores get jobs

7. Controlling Big Business Problem: Businesses influence government (bribery) Solution: Interstate Commerce Act Sherman Antitrust Act

8. Controlling Big Business Interstate Commerce Act Forbids rebates Oversees R.R.s with Commission Sherman Antitrust Act Stop businesses from limited or destroying competition Problem: Not strong enough Courts ruled against labor unions instead of big business

9. Corruption in Cities Cause: Cities grow and need more services Effect: Politicians give jobs for money/friends “Bosses” control work and demand payoffs Example: William Tweed Cheated NYC out of $100 mill

10. Progressives and Political Reform Progressives: Opposition to corruption Reformers Diverse group Believed in public interest

11. The Wisconsin Idea Governor Robert La Follette introduced reforms Opposed political bosses Appointed commissions to solve problems Adopt primary system Other states follow Wisconsin’s lead

12. More Power To Voters PROBLEMREFORMEFFECT Party leaders pick candidates PRIMARYVoters select candidates Only legislators can intro. bills INDIRECT INITIATIVE Voters can intro bills Only legislators pass laws REFERENDUMVoters vote on bills Only courts and legislators can remove officials RECALLVoters can remove officials

13. Two Constitutional Amendments PROBLEMREFORMEFFECT Income taxes unfair 16th Amendment Congress can pass income tax laws Interest groups bribe for candidates for Senate 17th Amendment People vote directly for senators

14. The Muckrakers MuckrakerTopic Ida TarbellBig business Jacob RissSlum life Upton SinclaiMeatpacking industry

15. Objectives What were the problems in American politics during the Gilded Age? What were the political reforms the Progressives supported? How did journalists contribute to reform efforts?