Progressive Era

Progressive Era

By Jennifer Shear

​What is the Progressive Era?

• It started in the late 1800's and flourished during the early 1900's.

• Reformers​ believed that the efforts of individuals and government could make society better and more fair.

• Progressive leaders reached positions of power in government and passed laws that affected government employees, business practices and public health.​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Why was the progressive movement started?

• To make society better and fair.

• To create jobs for people.

• To let people have big parties.

• To help people travel back to Europe.

​Fighting Corruption

• Political machines ​controlled local government in many cities.

• Political Bosses lead the machines and got their votes by doing favors for people. (buying their votes)

• Even though they did help people, many bosses were dishonest.

• Corrupt politicians accepted bribes from people also. They would take money from landlords and overlook housing violations.​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

What is the one thing that political bosses DID NOT do for the people?

• providing jobs for immigrants

• Offered dinners for needy families

• provide days at the beach for needy families

• built tenements for the immigrants.

​Fighting the Spoils System

• ​The spoils system rewarded political supporters with jobs & favors.

• Another name for this was patronage.

• People were hired for government jobs even though they were not qualified.

• The Civil Service Commission was started in 1883 and required applicants for government jobs to take a test before they were hired to prove they were qualified for the job.​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

The Civil Service Commission

• Hired people for jobs.

• got paid for hiring their friends

• required applicants to take a test to prove they were qualified.

Controlling Business

• In the late 1800's people felt that trusts were becoming too large.

• ​Congress passed the Sherman Anti-trust act to help control trusts and monopolies.

• Reformers called for legislation on Railroads too. Congress passed the Interstate Commerce Act which required railroads to charge and post reasonable and just rates.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Congress helped control businesses and railroads by passing Acts to limit their power.

• True

• False

Muckrakers Expose Problems

• Muckrakers are journalists who expose problems to the public.

• They aided reformers by exposing injustices, corruption and political favors.

• Lincoln Steffens exposed the political machines in New York, Chicago and other cities. His articles were published in a book which strengthened the demand for urban reform.​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Muckrakers helped the political machine gain more power.

• True

• False

​Expanding Democracy

• Primary election was introduced in Wisconsin, which allowed voters to choose their party's candidate. Other states copied this.

• The initiative, referendum and recall were first started in Oregon to give voters more power and to limit the influence of political parties. Other western states soon adapted these as well.​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

What is a primary election?

• Where voters vote for everyone.

• Where voters vote for judges only

• Where voters vote for their parties candidates.