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Explore the political reforms of the Progressive Era and the emergence of third parties, including their impact on the government and the people. Learn about initiatives, referendums, recall elections, and amendments that gave the people a greater voice in politics.
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Warm Up #4 • Common Vocabulary Unit 3 page. • What do the following words mean? Write definitions down in your own words. • You may use your phone or a dictionary to look up words you don’t know. • Lynching • Advocating • Conservation • Dedicated • Regulate
Progressive Era 1890-1920 Day 4: Political Reforms and The Power of Third Parties
Political Reforms & Changes • During the Progressive era, political reforms were initiated which gave the people more say in how their government was run and operated, resulting in a more participatory and democratic government. The goal for the Progressives was to strive for a “more perfect union”. This enabled voters instead of political machines, to choose candidates for public office and for government officials to be more responsive to voters.
Political Reforms & ChangesChanges in the way that people participate in government • Initiative–the power or right of citizens to introduce a new legislative measure and the right and procedure by which citizens can propose a law by petition and ensure its submission to the electorate Colorado Amendment 64 was a popular initiative that legalized recreational use of marijuana.
Political Reforms & ChangesChanges in the way that people participate in government • Referendum– the submission of a proposed public measure or actual statute to a direct popular vote; this allows the people to have more influence on the decision-making process
Political Reforms & ChangesChanges in the way that people participate in government • Recall– the procedure by which a public official may be removed from office by popular vote; with the right to employ this procedure, the people can hold their elected leaders accountable for their actions Example: California gubernatorial recall election of 2003 Governor Gray Davis Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Political Reforms & ChangesCivic Responsibility Civic Responsibility: An important aspect of progressivism • Right to vote, participation in various levels of politics, recall, referendum • Right to assemble and be active in political debates • Writing Congressional representatives
Discussion Question • What effect did political reforms like recall, referendum, and initiative have in the relationship between the government and the people? • Gave the people a greater voice in government and made government officials more responsive to the people.
Political Reforms & ChangesAmendments of the Progressive Era • 16thAmendment • income taxes (the purpose was to raise revenue for government programs and reduce reliance on tariffs) • 17th Amendment • Direct elections of senators (Stronger voice for the people)
Discussion Question • How did the 17th give more power to the people? • It allowed the people to directly vote for senators they wanted to represent their state.
Political Reforms & ChangesAmendments of the Progressive Era • 18th Amendment • Prohibition of alcohol • 19th Amendment • Women’s suffrage (Stronger voice for the people)
Political Reforms & ChangesThe Power of Third Parties Emergence of third party politics • Third parties often focus on issues the main parties ignore • Third-party candidates can split the major party with which they are most similar, leading to the other major party's victory • Example: Election of 1912. The Republican Party split in two to form the Progressive Party. Because of the split, the Democrat party won the presidency.
Discussion Question • What is a lost cause? • a person or thing that can no longer hope to succeed or be changed for the better. • Do you think Third Parties are a lost cause? • Why do you think Third Parties emerge? • To focus on the issues that the two main parties ignore.
Political Reforms & ChangesThe Power of Third Parties The Two Main Parties Republicans • Civil War victors – Blame democrats as party of disunion • Adhere to Puritan roots, focus on old stock immigrants • Stress code of morality and believe govt. should play role in economy and moral affairs • Push for big govt., tariffs, and land grants • Very active in helping corporate capitalism in America Democrats • Party of disunion • Oppose govt. interference in economy, tariffs and land grants • Anti-Prohibition – claims it limits freedom • Immigrants and Catholics tend to flock to this group • Had a solid electoral base in the South and immigrants in the North
Political Reforms & ChangesThe Power of Third Parties The Third Parties of the Progressive Era Progressive Party • formed in 1912 as a result of a split in the Republican Party • also known as the “Bull Moose Party; • Theodore Roosevelt most popular candidate Populist Party • established in 1890s • comprised of poor farmers from the south • generally opposed to banks, railroads, and upper class • William Jennings Bryan most popular candidate When this party dissolves, these people will join the Democrats.
Political Reforms & ChangesThe Power of Third Parties Rise of Socialism and the Socialist Party • More radical than Progressive agenda • Public ownership of railroads, utilities, oil & steel industries • Don’t want to fix democratic system—want to get rid of it completely • Eugene V. Debs – helped organize the American Socialist Party in 1901. Said that there was an uneven balance among big business, government, and ordinary people under the free-market system of capitalism (he ran for President 4 different times.) • Peaks in 1912 Election—over 1 million votes
Critical Writing Question for Day 4 • Day 4:What is the purpose of a third party trying to compete with the two major political parties? How did a third party like the Progressive party affect the presidential election of 1912?