Changes

== Progressive Movement ==

== Progressive Movement ==

A fascinating and influential demand for political change began to develop around 1900 as the "progressive movement."  It started with a Republican governor of Wisconsin named Robert LaFollette.  It was not so much a political party as a movement that can be summarized in two words:  "better government."  Not "less government" that a conservative like President James Monroe wanted, and not "more government" that a liberal like Franklin Delano Roosevelt wanted, but "better government."

A fascinating and influential demand for political change began to develop around 1900 as the "progressive movement."  It started with a Republican governor of Wisconsin named Robert LaFollette.  It was not so much a political party as a movement that can be summarized in two words:  "better government."  Not "less government" that a conservative like President James Monroe (1817-1825) wanted, and not "more government" that a liberal like Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1933-1945) wanted, but "better government."

Then progressives tended to work within both political parties.  They tried to run government in a smarter manner, rather than simply reducing it.  We have had two progressive presidents:  Republican Teddy Roosevelt and, later, Democrat Woodrow Wilson.  The high point of the movement, the "progressive era," was 1900-1920.

Then progressives tended to work within both political parties.  They tried to run government in a smarter manner, rather than simply reducing it.  We have had two progressive presidents:  Republican Teddy Roosevelt and, later, Democrat Woodrow Wilson.  The high point of the movement, the "progressive era," was 1900-1920.

*Suffrage for all women (Amendment 19 to the Constitution)

*Suffrage for all women (Amendment 19 to the Constitution)

*Direct elections of senators (Amendment 17 to the Constitution)

*Direct elections of senators (Amendment 17 to the Constitution)

*Civil service (merit) system rather than a spoils system (civil service system was adopted in the Pendleton Civil Service Act)

*Civil service (merit) system rather than a spoils system (civil service system was adopted in the Pendleton Civil Service Act, and later expanded)

*More "equitable" tax laws (Amendment 16 to the Constitution)

*More "equitable" tax laws (Amendment 16 to the Constitution)

*Breaking up monopolies

*Breaking up monopolies