the major political, economic & social goals of the progressive era
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Problem: Political Machines that were corrupt and solve problems inconsistently
Solution: More democracy & structural change
Examples:• City Managers – professionals to replace “machine”
politician appointments
• Initiatives & Recalls – more direct power to the people
• 17th Amendment - Direct (not by state legislatures) Election of US Senators
Political Reforms
Problem: Big business monopolies abused their power
Solution: More & stricter government regulation
Examples:
• “Trust Busting” – enforce existing laws
• Legal Protections - Child labor, Workplace safety, consumer & environmental protection laws passed
• 16th Amendment (Federal Income Tax)
Economic Reforms
Problem: American cities needs to be “cleaned up”
Solution: Women become more involved in various “Social Housekeeping” crusades
Examples:• Enforce Morality (“Temperance” & “Blue” Laws)
• Clean Up Slums/Tenements (Settlement Houses)
•Women’s Suffrage – women vote & become activists
•18th Amendment (Prohibition)
•19th Amendment (Women’s Suffrage)
Social Reforms
Solutions initiated by…
Government Political Economic
Individuals Social
In general, the era was characterized by Change that would increase governmentInvolvement in the lives of individuals