Social Studies 19.1

Name the type of journalist who exposed corruption.

muckrakers

What did muckrakers try to do?

Expose political and big business corruption.

List two laws that regulated big business.

1. Interstate Commerce Act 2. Sherman Antitrust Act

List three reforms of state government.

1. referendum 2. initiative 3. recall

What happens in a primary election?

Before the Progressive political reform, party voters would pick the candidate but after the voters select their party's candidate.

Which jobs are civil service positions?

Government jobs except elected officials, military, and the judiciary.

Who were some of the principal muckrakers during the Progressive Era, and what did each try to do?

Ida Tarbell wrote about unfair business practices. Upton Sinclair exposed grisly practices of the meatpacking industry. Using photographs, Jacob Riis revealed the shocking conditions of slum life.

Ida Tarbell wrote muckraking articles about the Standard Oil Company. Why did she think this was necessary?

Ida Tarbell wrote muckraking articles about the standard oil company because she wanted to make a change in the business and make a more fair industry.

What abuses do you think were occurring under the spoils system that made reform necessary?

Jobs were given a favors for political support instead of experience for that particular job.

Gilded means "coated with a thin layer of gold paint." How was this appropriate for describing America after the Civil War?

Many Americans feared that industrialists and other wealthy men were enriching themselves at the expense of the public. The other worry was corruption, or dishonesty in government.

What impact do you think their efforts had on life in the United States today?

Muckrakers brought more attention to a lot of issues through the publication of articles and books.

How was the spoils system reformed during the Gilded Age?

The Pendleton Act was signed and jobs were given by merit.

What were the two constitutional amendments supported by Progressive reformers, and what did each do?

The sixteenth amendment, which gave Congress the power to pass an income tax, and the seventeenth amendment, which required the direct election of senators.

What was the practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs?

The spoils system.

How had Standard Oil's business practices changed American industry?

They caused trust and trust dominated the key industries of that time.

What happens in a successful referendum?

Voters can propose bills to the legislature so they can be put on a ballot for the public to vote on it.

How are tax rates structured under the graduated income tax?

You pay based on the amount of money you make. Wealthy people pay a higher rate.