Constitutional Changes in The Progressive Era and

Other Reforms

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw rapid changes in the economy and population (Unions, Anti-Trust Laws, immigration, Political Machines…). Here are some important others…

The Seventeenth Amendment

Until the passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913, each state’s government was allowed to choose its own senators. Often State legislatures would elect their federal senators.

Because Senators were chosen by the state legislatures, they felt naturally obliged to vote in a manner consistent with the wishes of that legislature.

With the existence of Political Machines and Big Business, these special interests had more power over the senators than the people of the state.

The solution was the 17th Amendment. After its passage, the Senators from every state would be chosen by popular vote. Governors are only allowed to choose

their state’s federal senators under specific extreme circumstances.

The Eighteenth Amendment

The 18th Amendment made the production, transport, and sale of alcohol illegal in the United States. We will discuss this period (Prohibition) in more detail during the second quarter.

Police and courts were overwhelmed in an effort to enforce prohibition. Prisons also had a difficult time with an influx of new criminals.

Another serious problem caused by the 18th Amendment was the natural increase in organized crime and the corruption of officials (mostly police officers) that came along with it.

Prohibition is generally considered a failure in the history of the United States. Prohibition was ended buy the 21st Amendment.

The Nineteenth Amendment

The 19th Amendment was passed in 1920 and it guaranteed the right of women to vote. Women’s Suffrage now made their opinions at the polls equal to that of men.

The National American Woman Suffrage Association was formed in 1890 by combining two women's suffrage groups. The group was led by Susan B. Anthony until 1900. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was also a key figure in the organization.

Before NAWSA was formed, women had been split over the passage of the 15th Amendment in 1870. Some felt it was not right to allow the passage of an amendment that gave Black men the right to vote, but no such a right specifically to women. Others felt it was a step towards growing the electorate in a direction that would eventually include women.

Political Disagreement Within the Ranks

Even after the formation of NAWSA, members still disagreed on what tactics to take. Some wished to picket the White House and even go on hunger strikes if arrested. Others believed it made more sense to highlight the important roles of women in our nation’s fabric.

These disagreements on strategy often slowed or hurt the progress that suffrage supporters were trying to gain. However, the Progressive Era helped to revitalize the fight in two ways...

1. During the Progressive Era, middle class women were interested in many of the same reforms that men were interested in. They felt that gaining suffrage would give them political influence.

2. During WWI, some women took jobs that were left vacant by men who went to Europe to fight. Many felt that if they could work the same jobs, they deserved the same political power.

The one thing that most members of NAWSA agreed on, including Stanton and Anthony, was that a constitutional amendment would be necessary in order for women’s suffrage to become a reality.

After the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920, women finally had an equal vote with men. NAWSA became the League of Women’s Voters which still exists today and is considered by many to be a good source of information about political candidates.

Food and Drug Reform

In 1906, author and socialist, Upton Sinclair, wrote a novel called The Jungle. The book portrayed immigrant life in America. It also highlighted some of the dangerous working conditions and health hazards in the meat packing industry.

In response to Sinclair’s book and the Progressive Era mindset to move the nation forward, two pieces of legislation were passed.

The Federal Meat Inspection Act

This law mandated that meat be processed under sanitary conditions, and labeled properly.

Pure Food and Drug Act

This law made certain standards about what could be put on labels of certain foods and medications. This law eventually led to the formation of the American Food and Drug Administration (The FDA).