The Era of Reform and the Gilded Age

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The Era of Reform and the Gilded Age
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Standard and Learning Target

• History 4.2.1 I can understand how movements
  shaped Washington State History
• Learning Target I can describe how progressive
  reforms addressed the problems of the Gilded Age

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Corruption in Business

• Businesses often worked very closely with the
  government
• Sometimes they abused their relationship
• Bribes
• Created Monopolies
• One company owns the industry, there is no
  competition, so that company can charge whatever
  it wants for the goods/service it provides

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Corruption in Politics

• Political Machines were often run by a handful of
  powerful people to keep their power.
• Tammany Hall
• They did not serve people, they were interested
  in making money.
• Adolph Krug, Seattle Treasurer
• Helped people find jobs or housing, but expected
  money or votes in return
• Spoils System

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Rich vs. Poor

• During the Gilded Age, several powerful/wealthy
  people emerged
• John D. Rockefeller
• Andrew Carnegie
• Most people were extremely poor
• 5 of Americans controlled 95 of the nations
  wealth

Andrew Carnegie
John D. Rockefeller
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The Progressive Movement

• In the late 1800s-early 1900s, progressives were
  people who wanted to reform many of the nations
  problems, including
• Corruption
• Economic problems
• Societal problems
• 4 amendments to the Constitution were made,
  including prohibition of alcohol, a federal
  income tax, womens voting rights, and direct
  election of senators.

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Political Reforms

• In Seattle, voters created the Municipal League
  to end the spoils system
• Nationwide, other reforms were adopted
• Initiatives allowed citizens to propose laws
  through a petition (collecting signatures)
• I-502, legalization of Marijuana
• Referendums allowed citizens to vote on laws
  already passed by the legislature
• R-74 Upholding Washingtons Gay Marriage Law
• Recalls allowed citizens to remove elected
  officials from office
• Seattle Mayor Hiram Gill, 1910

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Business Reforms

• Many utilities which had been privately owned
  were now owned by the state or local government.
• Seattle Water Department
• Work days shortened to 8 hours
• Child labor reduced (eliminated in mining)
• Children required to go to school
• Minimum wage, Workers Compensation

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Womens Rights

• In 1910, Washington became the 5th state to grant
  women suffrage, or the right to vote.
• They could also hold public office and serve on
  juries.
• Washington granted suffrage 10 years prior to the
  passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

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Questions

• What were 3 of the largest problems of the Gilded
  Age? Why do you think this?
• What reforms of the progressive era fixed the
  problems you listed?