Susie R. answered • 10/19/20
Love History Maniac!!!
The Progressive Era impacted America by expanding the meaning of democracy and enlarging the view of government’s role in society. Progressive activists worked to protect voters from the influence of special interest [political machines] as they casted their ballots and worked for “The People” to became more involved in the “lawmaking” process. Products of their efforts include, electoral reform, the initiative and referendum, and the 17th Amendment.
The Electoral-reform-movement, which began on the local level, sought to curb the influence of the political machine through the “secret ballot”. All candidates for office were listed on one “white” sheet of paper, rather than colored paper for the different parties. Voters would no longer be intimated by political machine ward leaders to vote for the “machine” candidate on the local, state, or federal level.
On the state level, the initiative and the referendum were instituted. Under the “initiative” the people could propose legislation, present it to the state legislature for a vote, and have “the people’s” law voted on as a “referendum” in the general election. Political machines control over state legislatures was diminished. “The People” acquired law-making authority in state governments.
The 17th Amendment added to the United States Constitution, changed the make-up of the United States Senate. No longer would State legislatures decide on the state’s U.S. Senator, “The People” would vote on their representative. “The People” had more of a voice in the legislative process in government on the federal level to regulate corporate activity.
