Government Corruption
The Problem
A problem before the Progressive Movement was corruption, which is when the government is dishonest.
An example of corruption is a political machine. A political machine is a corrupt organization led by a ‘boss’ that controls elections by rewarding supporters with jobs and favors. Corruption was a big problem for the community. Sometimes people would even bribe the government. A bribe is when people pay the government to treat them better than anyone else. The government was happy about this because they would get all of the money. In New York City, Boss Tweed controlled the political machine called Tammany Hall. When people wanted to get a job, they had to pay money to the political machine. Boss Tweed stole millions of dollars from the city. The political machines would cheat they would make sure they would win. Pay the election, vote in the election. |
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Left: With Boss Tweed everyone gotta pay up. Middle: Boss Tweed has all the money. Right: Everyone is pointing at each other and blaming each other.
People, Groups, Movement
The people of the Progressive Movement worked together to end the corruption. One important person was Lincoln Steffens. Lincoln Steffens was a writer who wrote about corruption. His book was called Shame of the Cities and it showed people the corruption in city governments. People read the book and they wanted to fix it.
Thomas Nast was another person who drew a lot of cartoons to show people about corruption in government. People who saw the cartoons wanted to fix the problem and stop the corruption.
Thomas Nast was another person who drew a lot of cartoons to show people about corruption in government. People who saw the cartoons wanted to fix the problem and stop the corruption.
This pictures shows one of the man that become rich. This man become rich by corruption the city. He lie about the people money and also lie about the government. Thomas Nast drew cartoons about him.
Reform
There were many reforms during the Progressive Era. One of these changes was the power of recall. Before this time they were corrupt political machines that tried to take over the government. The power of recall gave voters (people) the power to removed elected officials from office through petition and a vote.
A second significant reform was the ability for people to propose making a new law, called initiative. They would let others sign the law on a ballot and give it to the government. The government could then practice referendum, in which they would vote on an initiative that allows the people to pass a law that the government did not initiate.
Thirdly, they legitimized jobs through the civil service. Civil service jobs allowed friends of the mayor or other city officials to hold jobs around the city, but the new reforms required people holding these positions to pass civil service examinations.
Finally, the reforms allowed for the creation of the 17th amendment. This provided a direct election of senators rather than the selection by the state capitol. Before this time the state capitol would vote for the senators. These are some of the many reforms during the progressive era.
A second significant reform was the ability for people to propose making a new law, called initiative. They would let others sign the law on a ballot and give it to the government. The government could then practice referendum, in which they would vote on an initiative that allows the people to pass a law that the government did not initiate.
Thirdly, they legitimized jobs through the civil service. Civil service jobs allowed friends of the mayor or other city officials to hold jobs around the city, but the new reforms required people holding these positions to pass civil service examinations.
Finally, the reforms allowed for the creation of the 17th amendment. This provided a direct election of senators rather than the selection by the state capitol. Before this time the state capitol would vote for the senators. These are some of the many reforms during the progressive era.
This picture shows a private ballot box, one of many important changes to voting during Progressive Era.