2000 Dbq Essay

Starting in the nineteenth century, began then reign of the political machines which led to many factors to the rise of these strategical machine bosses. In the outrage of the farmers and industrial workers, it was the first time the United States saw a huge increase in participation in electoral votes. The election was evenly divided, and the percent of voters went from 50-60% to 79% (Keene, 517). The 'bosses" would gain support from large numbers of working class and immigrant voters by promising charity and support for the poor. Politicians would also gain votes through corrupt bargaining with corporations and by promising jobs to supporters. When the poll for voting opened, political machines would rig the elections and intimidate voters at the polls. The government was very corrupt, therefore there was unfair distributions in land, power, and wealth. Not only was the government forcing
In 1920 a constitutional amendment was passed giving all women the right to vote (Keene 534). In addition to being able to vote, a protective legislation was passed that reduced the hours that women were made to work because of their reproductive health. This turned out to be a good thing for men because it created more jobs for them (Keene 546). Industrialist then began to argue that jobs provided valuable training for working-class children who needed to learn the importance of punctuality and hard work to become successful adult workers. Things changed for children in the progressive era for children as well as women. Child labor was not banned because one -tenth of a family’s income came from child labor but, factories were made safer places for children to work (Keene 549). The American political system were a fine collection of smart machine bosses that used their advantages