1 / 10

The Era of Reform and the Gilded Age

The Era of Reform and the Gilded Age. Standard and Learning Target. History 4.2.1: I can understand how movements shaped Washington State History Learning Target: I can describe how progressive reforms addressed the problems of the Gilded Age. Corruption in Business.

carter-sampson
Download Presentation

The Era of Reform and the Gilded Age

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Era of Reform and the Gilded Age

  2. Standard and Learning Target • History 4.2.1: I can understand how movements shaped Washington State History • Learning Target: I can describe how progressive reforms addressed the problems of the Gilded Age

  3. Corruption in Business • Businesses often worked very closely with the government • Sometimes they abused their relationship • Bribes • Created Monopolies • One company owns the industry, there is no competition, so that company can charge whatever it wants for the goods/service it provides

  4. Corruption in Politics • Political Machines were often run by a handful of powerful people to keep their power. • Tammany Hall • They did not serve people, they were interested in making money. • Adolph Krug, Seattle Treasurer • Helped people find jobs or housing, but expected money or votes in return • Spoils System

  5. Rich vs. Poor • During the Gilded Age, several powerful/wealthy people emerged: • John D. Rockefeller • Andrew Carnegie • Most people were extremely poor • 5% of Americans controlled 95% of the nation’s wealth Andrew Carnegie John D. Rockefeller

  6. The Progressive Movement • In the late 1800s-early 1900s, progressives were people who wanted to reform many of the nation’s problems, including: • Corruption • Economic problems • Societal problems • 4 amendments to the Constitution were made, including prohibition of alcohol, a federal income tax, women’s voting rights, and direct election of senators.

  7. Political Reforms • In Seattle, voters created the Municipal League to end the spoils system • Nationwide, other reforms were adopted • Initiatives allowed citizens to propose laws through a petition (collecting signatures) • I-502, legalization of Marijuana • Referendums allowed citizens to vote on laws already passed by the legislature • R-74: Upholding Washington’s Gay Marriage Law • Recalls allowed citizens to remove elected officials from office • Seattle Mayor Hiram Gill, 1910

  8. Business Reforms • Many utilities which had been privately owned were now owned by the state or local government. • Seattle Water Department • Work days shortened to 8 hours • Child labor reduced (eliminated in mining) • Children required to go to school • Minimum wage, Worker’s Compensation

  9. Women’s Rights • In 1910, Washington became the 5th state to grant women suffrage, or the right to vote. • They could also hold public office and serve on juries. • Washington granted suffrage 10 years prior to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

  10. Questions • What were 3 of the largest problems of the Gilded Age? Why do you think this? • What reforms of the progressive era fixed the problems you listed?

More Related