1. -1The Progressive Spirit of Reform: CH4: The Gilded Age Section 1:Unit 2
Political Machines- powerful organizations that used both illegal and legal methods to
persuade people to vote/elect their associated candidates to office
Methods of Political Machines: Examples
Legal: tell people to vote for candidates
Illegal: giving jobs to unqualified people as a favor for voting for the candidates
Political Corruption & Bribery
Bribes were made between people and officials in office
Examples of Bribery:
1. Officials took bribes to Avoid to pay taxes 2. Officials took bribes To fund Union
pacific railway
Response to Political Corruption:
Spoils System- a system used to elect and give official positions to supporters of the
original candidates
Two Types of Reformers:
PROGRESSIVES: people working to improve society
MUCKRAKERS: journalists/writers who were given the name muckrakers by exposing
and writing about society & problems of society
Safety Reform:
Jobs titles such as civil engineer were given to people to improve the safety of the U.S.
Improvement in Educational, Medical, & Safety Fields
Susan Blow opened several kindergarden programs in the U.S.
Addition of trained medical professionals
AMA- protect health
The Seventeenth Admendment:
Permitted Americans to vote directly for senators
Reform Measures Relative to Voting:
RECALL: to remove (recall) officials from office with signature
INITIATIVE: allowed proposition of a new law with signature
REFERENDUM: accept/object to laws passed or to be passed
ROBERT FOLLETTE- assisted in decreasing political machines
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