Write a 7 sentence paragraph answering this question… “What was the role of muckrakers in the Progressive Era? You must use at least 3 details from the primary sources in your explanation

Warm-up: Describe 3 things that Progressive reformers wanted to change in order to improve society.

Reforming Government & Expanding Democracy

Government before Progressivism Those with money had the most influence Political machines  vote for me, and I’ll get you a job State legislature elected Senators Party bosses controlled/chose candidates who ran as the party primary

Why Reform Government In late 1800s, Republicans supported high tariffs and the gold standard which favored big business There was government corruption at federal, state and local levels People wanted a more DEMOCRATIC government Reformers hoped to end corruption in government by giving voters a more direct say in lawmaking

Why Reform Government The spoils system was used to give party supporters important government position City officials built corrupt organizations called political machines Progressive reformers knew government needed to be reformed because Government could not be controlled by political bosses and business interests Government needed to be more efficient and accountable to the people

Political Reforms Before: After: Party leaders choose candidates for state and local offices. State legislatures choose U.S. Senators Only members of the state legislature can introduce bills Only legislators pass laws Only courts of the legislature can remove corrupt officials Direct Primaries: Citizen voters select their party’s nominees for upcoming election 17th Amendment: U.S. senators are elected by popular vote Initiative: Voters can put bills before the legislature Referendum: Voters can vote on bills directly Recall: Voters can remove elected officials from office

Expanded Role of Government Sought more social welfare programs to help ensure a minimum standard of living. Earliest reforms were made at the municipal, or city, level. Some municipal reformers worked for home rule, a system that gives cities a limited degree of self-rule. Municipal reformers opposed the influence of political bosses.

Reformers made efforts to take over city utilities such as water, gas and electricity. Some reform mayors led movements for city-supported welfare services such as public baths, parks, work-relief programs, playgrounds, kindergartens, and lodging houses for the homeless Banking system needed to be reformed because the nation had no central authority to supervise banks Federal Reserve System established a system for regional banks to hold reserve funds for nation’s commercial banks Federal Trade Commission was established to monitor business practices that might lead to monopolies

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