1. Fighting to make a difference
The Progressives
Fighting to make a difference

2. Goals of the Progressive Movement
TO END…
Unsafe Working Conditions
Poor Wages
Overcrowded Living Conditions
Political Corruption & Crime
Health & Sanitation
Abuse of the Nations Natural Resources
Racial and Gender Discrimination (not everyone agreed with this)

3. Political Reforms of the Progressive Movement
Primaries- members of a political party select the candidate for their party, not the political Bosses.
Conventions were held so that the party faithful could cast their ballots fro the candidates of their choosing.
The power of the Party Bosses to control elections was greatly diminished.

4. More Reforms
Initiative - allowed voters to propose new laws. This gave people more of a say in government and helped make the government more receptive to the needs of the people.

5. Reforms Bring Power to the People
Referendum – voters actually vote on laws directly. This method is used for very controversial proposals allowing the voters to decide for themselves, taking the politics out of the system.

6. Reforms that Secure our Democracy
Secret Ballot – marking a ballot in private rather than voting by a show of hands gave people more security when voting. It was more difficult for Party Bosses to pressure or control the way people voted.

7. What Happens When Cheating is Suspected?
Recall – A special election is held to remove an elected official from office when it is felt he has betrayed the “public’s trust.”

8. The Best Person for the Job!
Civil Service – A system of tests were created for government jobs with the jobs going to the people with the highest scores.
Ends the Spoils System, where people were given jobs as favors whether they were qualified or not.

9. Universal suffrage
Women’s right to vote – most progressives believed that women should gain the right vote. They organized committees and meeting where individuals volunteered to protest and campaign for women’s suffrage. Eventually women would gain the right to vote in 1920, with the passage of the 19th amendment.