1 / 9

Political Reforms and Progressive Politics: A Historical Overview

Explore the evolution of political reform movements and progressivism, from immigrant experiences to women's suffrage and municipal governance, aiming for a more democratic and accountable system. Follow the rise of reformers like La Follette and Johnson in advancing direct elections and fighting corruption.

teresamoore
Download Presentation

Political Reforms and Progressive Politics: A Historical Overview

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. 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

More Related