Download Causes of the Progressive Era - pams


unskilled workers, unsafe working conditions,
unscrupulous business practices, low wages,
child labor, long hours (AFL helped with these
problems!)

crowded living conditions, prejudice and
discrimination

concentration of workers in low income
housing near factories, poor sanitation and
spread of disease

Political corruption, spoils system (giving jobs
to your friends or people who are not
qualified)

Tried to solve the problems or causes of the
Progressive Era.

People bring an idea to the ballot

Voters could remove unsatisfactory officials
(corruption)

State brings the idea to the ballot

voter’s select party’s candidate


giving jobs to those who deserve them
(Opposite of the spoils system!)

Most federal government employees are on
the merit system and this marked the end of
the so-called spoils system. The act provided
for some government jobs to be filled on the
basis of competitive exams.