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Dive into the causes of the Progressive Era, spotlighting issues like unsafe working conditions, political corruption, and the push for reforms in politics and civil service. Learn about the movements that brought about change and redefined the era.
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Industrialization • unskilled workers, unsafe working conditions, unscrupulous business practices, low wages, child labor, long hours (AFL helped with these problems!)
Immigration • crowded living conditions, prejudice and discrimination
Urbanization • concentration of workers in low income housing near factories, poor sanitation and spread of disease
Politics • Political corruption, spoils system (giving jobs to your friends or people who are not qualified)
Political Reforms • Tried to solve the problems or causes of the Progressive Era.
Initiative • People bring an idea to the ballot
Recall • Voters could remove unsatisfactory officials (corruption)
Referendum • State brings the idea to the ballot
Direct Primary • voter’s select party’s candidate
Merit System • giving jobs to those who deserve them • (Opposite of the spoils system!)
Civil Service Reform- Pendleton Act • Most federal government employees are on the merit system and this marked the end of the so-called spoils system. The act provided for some government jobs to be filled on the basis of competitive exams.