The Progressive Era During The Gilded Age
The Progressive Era
The Progressive Era had a profound effect on the development of America. During the Gilded Age the government adopted a “hands off” approach which resulted in widespread corruption throughout America. Progressive reforms began to make headway when these issues became uncontrollable. The federal government began to search for a way to mend the complex issues of the day through reforms and amendments, while the state level sought its own solutions. This movement enacted many reforms on both the federal and state level, causing immense change in the political, social, economic world.
Many aspects of the political process was altered during the Progressive Era, mostly in the voting process. On the state level, changes were made place the power back into the hands of the public. Progressives called for initiative voting, this would allow for the public to propose state-legislature themselves. A referendum was also proposed, this reform would give the final approval of laws to the voters, which would give the people the power to help mandate the laws passed on big business. The recall was also enacted, this placed the option of removing corrupt officials on the ballot. …show more content…
A prime example of the final destruction of monopolies at the state level was the reform movements of the governor of Wisconsin, Robert M. La Follette. He fought for the control from the corrupt industries of lumber and railroads, he then returned the power to the people. Many other states followed suit, as they attempted to regulate railroads and trusts predominantly through public unity commissions. On the federal level, President Roosevelt pushed for the creation of a new Department of Commerce and Labor due to growing tensions between capital and labor. This new bureau was highly useful in breaking monopolies, subsequently opening the door for the breaking of
The Progressive Era had a profound effect on the development of America. During the Gilded Age the government adopted a “hands off” approach which resulted in widespread corruption throughout America. Progressive reforms began to make headway when these issues became uncontrollable. The federal government began to search for a way to mend the complex issues of the day through reforms and amendments, while the state level sought its own solutions. This movement enacted many reforms on both the federal and state level, causing immense change in the political, social, economic world.
Many aspects of the political process was altered during the Progressive Era, mostly in the voting process. On the state level, changes were made place the power back into the hands of the public. Progressives called for initiative voting, this would allow for the public to propose state-legislature themselves. A referendum was also proposed, this reform would give the final approval of laws to the voters, which would give the people the power to help mandate the laws passed on big business. The recall was also enacted, this placed the option of removing corrupt officials on the ballot. …show more content…
A prime example of the final destruction of monopolies at the state level was the reform movements of the governor of Wisconsin, Robert M. La Follette. He fought for the control from the corrupt industries of lumber and railroads, he then returned the power to the people. Many other states followed suit, as they attempted to regulate railroads and trusts predominantly through public unity commissions. On the federal level, President Roosevelt pushed for the creation of a new Department of Commerce and Labor due to growing tensions between capital and labor. This new bureau was highly useful in breaking monopolies, subsequently opening the door for the breaking of