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Political Reforms and Reformers

Political Reforms and Reformers. By: Cynthia Galvez Michelle Garrido Anna Cristy Juncadella. Immigrants and Politics. Old Immigrants  accustomed to representative government New Immigrants  little history of democratic government Had been oppressed by government

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Political Reforms and Reformers

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  1. Political Reforms and Reformers By: Cynthia Galvez Michelle Garrido Anna Cristy Juncadella

  2. Immigrants and Politics • Old Immigrants accustomed to representative government • New Immigrants little history of democratic government • Had been oppressed by government • Federal government “O” to ease assimilation of immigrants • State governments did “O” • Cities “O”  overwhelmed

  3. Immigrants and Politics • Immigrants in hands of unofficial “governments” • Urban political machines, led by the “bosses” • Payment for support in polls • Jobs on city payroll • Housing, gifts, food and clothing • Helped get schools, parks, and hospitals in immigrant neighborhoods

  4. Progressivism • “to use government as an agency of human welfare” • Social and economic problems too complex for laissez faire policy • Believed cure for ills of American democracy, was more democracy • David G. Phillip’s “The Treason of the Senate” • Charged 75 senators of not representing people, only RR and trusts. David G. Phillip

  5. Political Progressivism • Progressives emerged in both major parties and at all levels of gov’t • To regain power that had slipped thought hands of the people. • Pushed for direct primary elections • Favored the “initiative” • Voters could directly propose legislation • Wanted “referendum” • Place laws on ballot for final approval by people • Remove faithless elected officials, who had been bribed by bosses, lobbyists

  6. Political Progressivism • Rooting out graft • Corrupt Practices Acts • Limited amount of money candidates could spend on elections • Restricted huge gifts from corporations • Direct Elections of US Senators • To avoid bribery and “The Millionaire’s Club” • 17th Amendment • Direct election of US senators

  7. Progressivism of Women • Supported suffrage • Thought women’s votes would elevate the political tone • Protested against taxation without representation • Many states (esp. West) gradually extended vote to women • Settle house movement • Exposed them to problem of political corruption • Side door to public life

  8. Progressivism in Cities • Most impressive gains in cities • Frustrated by corruption of city governments • Appointed expert commissions and city managers to manage urban affairs • Some of “reforms” valued efficiency over democracy

  9. Progressivism in States • Gov. Robert M. La Follette of Wisconsin • Gov. Hiram Johnson of California • Republican, broke dominant grip of southern Pacific RR on California politics • Set up political machine of his own • Most militant of the progressive Republican leaders • Fight with monopoly • Wrestled control from crooked corporations and returned it to the people

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