2. The Progressive Movement  The Industrialization of the US after the Civil War created many new problems, especially in growing cities.  Corruption in all levels of government bothered many people.  By the end of the 1800’s, people who were looking for changes in government and improvements in social conditions were demanding reforms

3. Who were the “progressives” ?  Who joined the Progressive Movement?  Both Democrats and Republicans  Men and Women  People from the middle class with some education  City dwellers  Their leaders were: journalists, teachers, social workers, ministers, and politicians

4. What did progressives want to change?  End corruption in govt. – on all levels  End child labor  Limit the power of big corporations  Improve living conditions for the poor  Clean up slums  Votes for women  Reduce abuse of alcohol

5. How did they try to accomplish their goals?  First step – make the general public AWARE of the problems and issues  Gather information about the issues and publish books, photographs, newspaper articles etc…  MUCKRAKERS – a nickname for investigative journalists  Example: JACOB RIIS – he published a book called How the Other Half Lives – a collection of photographs of tenement life in NY City

6. Reforming City Governments  Many cities had corrupt and inefficient governments – progressives tried to change that  Problem? – Mayors of cities often gave jobs and contracts to their friends and political supporters. These people were often unqualified and cheated taxpayers.  Solution #1- Commission Plan – city govt. divided into dept.s – each dept. run by a qualified expert.  Solution #2 – Council Manager System – city council hires a qualified manager to run the day to day business of the city.

7. Voting Reforms and Changes  Progressives felt that the way candidates were chosen and laws were made was not always fair or democratic  Direct primary – all voters chose the candidate to run in the general election  Initiative – citizens propose a law – then state leg. Votes on it  Referendum – citizens vote Yes or No on a proposed law  Recall – voters can remove an elected official from office  Robert La Follette – progressive Gov. of Wisc. – first state to try many of these ideas

8. Senators  Since 1789, Senators were selected by state legislatures, not by the people directly.  Progressives wanted to see direct election of senators  The 17 th Amendment was ratified in 1913 – direct election of senators