Reforms in American Political and Economic History

City Commission or Manager System

A system of local government where elected commissioners or city managers replace the traditional mayor-council structure to reduce corruption and inefficiency. It was enacted to make professionals manage the city rather than politicians.

The Wisconsin Idea

A series of progressive reforms that were led by Wisconsin's Governor Robert La Follette, focusing on direct primaries, regulation of railroads, and other policies to reduce corruption and increase participation in government.

The 17th Amendment

Allowed for the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people instead of state legislatures, reducing corruption and making government more democratic.

Direct Primary

A system where voters, rather than party leaders, choose candidates for public office, making elections more democratic.

Secret Ballot

A voting method that allows voters to cast their choices in private, reducing vote intimidation and election fraud.

Initiative

A process that allows citizens to propose and vote on laws directly, bypassing the legislature. It was enacted to increase direct democracy.

Referendum

A process where voters approve or reject laws passed by the legislature, giving the public more control over policy decisions.

Recall

An establishment that allows voters to remove an elected official from office before the end of their term.

The Hepburn Act

Strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), allowing it to regulate railroad rates and prevent unfair practices by monopolies.

The Elkins Act

Prohibited railroads from offering rebates to favored customers, ensuring fair competition in the industry.

Meat Inspection Act

Required federal inspection of meat processing to ensure sanitary conditions, enacted after Upton Sinclair's The Jungle exposed unsanitary practices.

Pure Food and Drug Act

Prohibited the sale of misbranded or contaminated food and drugs, leading to the creation of the FDA.

Newlands Reclamation Act

It funded watering projects for lands in the West to promote agriculture and settlement.

U.S. Forest Service

It was established to manage and protect national forests, promoting conservation efforts.

Underwood-Simmons Act

Lowered tariff rates and introduced a federal income tax to offset loss sales revenue, making taxation more progressive.

Sixteenth Amendment

Allowed Congress to grant a federal income tax, replacing tariffs as the main source of government revenue and making taxation more equal.

Federal Reserve Act

Created the Federal Reserve System to regulate banking, control inflation, and provide financial stability.

Clayton Antitrust Act

Strengthened antitrust laws by prohibiting monopolistic practices and protecting labor unions from being prosecuted as trusts.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Created to prevent unfair business practices, monopolies, and false advertising, ensuring fair competition.

The Nineteenth Amendment

Granted women the right to vote, expanding democracy and gender equality.