Warm Up #4

0Common Vocabulary Unit 3 page.

0What do the following words mean? Write definitions down in your own words.

0You may use your phone or a dictionary to look up words you don’t know.

A. Lynching

B. Advocating

C. Conservation

D. Dedicated

E. Regulate

Progressive Era 1890-1920

Day 4: Political Reforms and The Power of Third Parties

Political Reforms & Changes

0During the Progressive era, political reforms were initiated which gave the people more say in how their government was run and operated, resulting in a more participatory and democratic government. The goal for the Progressives was to strive for a “more perfect union”. This enabled voters instead of political machines, to choose candidates for public office and for government officials to be more responsive to voters.

Political Reforms & ChangesChanges in the way that people participate in government

0 Initiative –the power or right of citizens to introduce a new legislative measure and the right and procedure by which citizens can propose a law by petition and ensure its submission to the electorate

Colorado Amendment 64 was a popular initiative that legalized recreational use of marijuana.

Political Reforms & ChangesChanges in the way that people participate in government

0Referendum – the submission of a proposed public measure or actual statute to a direct popular vote; this allows the people to have more influence on the decision-making process

Political Reforms & ChangesChanges in the way that people participate in government

0Recall – the procedure by which a public official may be removed from office by popular vote; with the right to employ this procedure, the people can hold their elected leaders accountable for their actions

Governor Gray Davis Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Example: California gubernatorial recall election of 2003

Political Reforms & ChangesCivic Responsibility

Civic Responsibility: An important aspect of progressivism0 Right to vote, participation in various levels of politics, recall,

referendum

0 Right to assemble and be active in political debates

0 Writing Congressional representatives

Discussion Question

0What effect did political reforms like recall, referendum, and initiative have in the relationship between the government and the people?

0 Gave the people a greater voice in government and made government officials more responsive to the people.

Political Reforms & ChangesAmendments of the Progressive Era

016th Amendment0 income taxes (the purpose

was to raise revenue for government programs and reduce reliance on tariffs)

017th Amendment0Direct elections of senators

(Stronger voice for the people)

Discussion Question

0How did the 17th give more power to the people? 0 It allowed the people to directly vote for senators they

wanted to represent their state.

Political Reforms & ChangesAmendments of the Progressive Era

018th Amendment0Prohibition of alcohol

019th Amendment0Women’s suffrage (Stronger

voice for the people)

Political Reforms & ChangesThe Power of Third Parties

Emergence of third party politics0 Third parties often focus on issues the main parties ignore

0 Third-party candidates can split the major party with which they are most similar, leading to the other major party's victory

0Example: Election of 1912. The Republican Party split in two to form the Progressive Party. Because of the split, the Democrat party won the presidency.

Discussion Question

0What is a lost cause?0 a person or thing that can no longer hope to succeed or

be changed for the better.0Do you think Third Parties are a lost cause?

0Why do you think Third Parties emerge? 0 To focus on the issues that the two main parties ignore.

Political Reforms & ChangesThe Power of Third Parties

Republicans

0 Civil War victors – Blame democrats as party of disunion

0 Adhere to Puritan roots, focus on old stock immigrants

0 Stress code of morality and believe govt. should play role in economy and moral affairs

0 Push for big govt., tariffs, and land grants

0 Very active in helping corporate capitalism in America

Democrats

0 Party of disunion0 Oppose govt. interference in

economy, tariffs and land grants0 Anti-Prohibition – claims it

limits freedom0 Immigrants and Catholics tend

to flock to this group0 Had a solid electoral base in the

South and immigrants in the North

The Two Main Parties

Political Reforms & ChangesThe Power of Third Parties

Progressive Party0 formed in 1912 as a result of

a split in the Republican Party

0also known as the “Bull Moose Party;

0Theodore Roosevelt most popular candidate

Populist Party0established in 1890s0 comprised of poor farmers

from the south0generally opposed to banks,

railroads, and upper class0William Jennings Bryan most

popular candidate

The Third Parties of the Progressive Era

When this party dissolves, these people will join the Democrats.

Political Reforms & ChangesThe Power of Third Parties

Rise of Socialism and the Socialist Party0 More radical than Progressive agenda

0 Public ownership of railroads, utilities, oil & steel industries

0 Don’t want to fix democratic system—want to get rid of it completely

0 Eugene V. Debs – helped organize the American Socialist Party in 1901. Said that there was an uneven balance among big business, government, and ordinary people under the free-market system of capitalism (he ran for President 4 different times.)

0 Peaks in 1912 Election—over 1 million votes

Critical Writing Question for Day 40Day 4: What is the purpose of a third party trying to compete

with the two major political parties? How did a third party like the Progressive party affect the presidential election of 1912?