Gilded Age and Progressive Era: Democracy and Authority The progressive era marked a shift in the federal governments role in the protection of individual rights Gilded Age O Why was this time period known as the Gilded Age- Superficial- just as a gilded piece of jewelry has only a thin layer of gold on its surface? O Create a list of evidence that supports claim. Image Presentation O Based on the images what larger conclusions can be drawn about the state of American and Democracy during the Gilded Age. Progressive Era O The tide of reform that swept across America at the turn of the 20 th Century had its roots in a range of middle-class concerns. Middle-class dismay over the dismal living and laboring conditions for most working-class people turned to alarm as strikes and the appeal of socialism increased. O The Progressives had unprecedented success building alliances and winning support of the three consecutive presidents. (Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson) What does Progressive Mean? O Movement towards a goal O Growth or development; continuous improvement O The development of a society in a direction considered more beneficial than prior A progressive is one that is in favor of the political philosophy of reform Progressive Party Platform Using the Progressive Party platform that was completed for homework last night- Generate a list of the problems OR solutions that the Progressive Party presented Political Reform- desire for gov t to be more efficient and responsive O Direct election of US Senators th Amendment O Larger involvement of the people O Initiative- a bill introduced by the people O Recall- voters can remove an official before the end of their term O Referendum-a direct popular vote on an issue of public policy, such as a proposed amendment to a state constitution or a proposed law. O not used at the national level, but are common at the state and local level O is often used to gauge popular approval or rejection of laws recently passed or under consideration by a state legislature Who Were the Progressives? Not an easy answer O Middle-Class- unusual O Women Reformers O Working-Class Political Organizers O African Americans O Urban Immigration Associations Theodore Roosevelt O Theodore Roosevelt assumes the office of President after the assassination of President William McKinley O TR believed government was the only thing standing between democracy and corruption is the executive branch. O During his presidency he uses the office of president to act on behalf of the American people. For the People: Democracy O Greater population participation O They advocated measures including: O initiatives O referendums O recall elections O direct party primaries O accurate voter registration O vote early and often Constitutional Amendments