Progressives and Political Reform: From the streets to the cities to the states to Washington, D.C.!

Progressives and Political Reform:

From the streets to the cities to the states to Washington, D.C.!

Progressive ideals

A genuine faith in democracy. Given a chance, the majority of voters would

elect honest officials instead of the corrupt ones backed by boss-dominated political machines.

A desire to increase the participation of the average citizen in political decision-making.

Government could be an ally.

Cities and states as “laboratories of democracy” New ideas, laws, and other

experiments can be tried out in a state and then copied elsewhere if they work.

Wisconsin: “the most important state for the development of progressive legislation.”

The “Wisconsin Idea,” pioneered by “Fighting Bob” LaFollette:

The “Australian” (or secret) ballot

Voters had long brought a pre-printed ballot to the polls bearing the name of a specific candidate.

Direct primary

Republican and Democratic party bosses had long controlled state conventions that nominated candidates for state and federal office.

Wisconsin: In 1903, Governor LaFollette introduced the direct primary.

Direct election of U.S. Senators

Sec. 3, Clause 1 of the Constitution: U.S. Senators had always been chosen by the state legislatures, not the voters.

“Direct democracy” reforms

If politicians failed to obey “the will of the people,” Progressives had several solutions in many states:

Initiative: Referendum:

Recall:

Municipal government reforms City bosses and their corrupt alliances with local businesses were the first

target of Progressive reformers; regulations on water, gas, electric, and public transportation companies were created in the Progressive Era.

More urban improvements

More Progressive ideas take hold in states

Progressivism goes to Washington!

September 6, 1901: Republican President McKinley was assassinated by anarchist Leon Czolgosz in Buffalo, NY

September 14: Vice President Theodore Roosevelt sworn in as President at age 42

“My God, that damned cowboy in the White House!” -Mark Hanna