The Progressive Era, 1880-1920 Chapter 22. The Progressive Era, 1880-1920.
Causes of the Progressive Era
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Transcript of Causes of the Progressive Era
Causes of the Progressive Era
unskilled workers, unsafe working conditions, unscrupulous business practices, low wages, child labor, long hours (AFL helped with these problems!)
Industrialization
crowded living conditions, prejudice and discrimination
Immigration
concentration of workers in low income housing near factories, poor sanitation and spread of disease
Urbanization
Political corruption, spoils system (giving jobs to your friends or people who are not qualified)
Politics
Tried to solve the problems or causes of the Progressive Era.
Political Reforms
People bring an idea to the ballot
Initiative
Voters could remove unsatisfactory officials (corruption)
Recall
State brings the idea to the ballot
Referendum
voter’s select party’s candidate
Direct Primary
giving jobs to those who deserve them (Opposite of the spoils system!)
Merit System
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.
Civil Service Reform- Pendleton Act