Progressive Era Reforms Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Focus on reforms during the Progressive Era addressing democracy issues.
• Comparison with Jacksonian Era reforms.
• Central theme: corruption in government and reform efforts.

Key Themes

• Political Corruption

  • Illustrated by political cartoon "Bosses of the Senate."
  • Government seen as serving business interests over people.

• Comparison with Jacksonian Democracy

  • Both eras aimed at reforming democratic processes.
  • Jacksonian focused on universal white male suffrage.
  • Progressive Era focused on extending suffrage to women.

Jacksonian Era

• Universal White Male Suffrage

  • Removal of property qualifications for voters.
  • Expansion limited by exclusion of women and free black people.

• Era of the Common Man

  • Increase in participation and direct election methods.
  • Appeal to common American through political campaigns.

Progressive Era

• Women's Suffrage

  • 19th Amendment: women's right to vote in 1920.
  • Doubled the electorate but also restrictions (racism, xenophobia).

• Voting Limitations

  • South: restrictions on African-Americans (grandfather clauses, poll taxes).
  • North: literacy tests aimed at immigrant voters.

Electoral Reforms

• Australian Ballot (Secret Ballot)
  • Shift from public party ballots to private voting.
  • Reduced voter intimidation and ensured privacy.

Popular Sovereignty

• Jacksonian Era

  • Popular sovereignty on issues like slavery in new territories.

• Progressive Era Innovations

  • Referendum: direct voting on issues by the public.
    • Example: tax increases voted directly by citizens.
  • Recall: removal of corrupt officials before term ends.
  • Initiative: public can propose legislation directly.

Conclusion

• Focus on democratic reforms and limiting corruption in both eras.
• Research further on Bob Lafollette for additional context.