In the early 1900s progressive era reformers sought to increase citizen participation in government by supporting the direct election of the United States Senators. Previously, the Senators were not chosen, but selected and that reduced the chance of public choice. I hope the answer has come to your help.
In the early 1900s, during the Progressive Era, reformers aimed to increase citizen participation in government, reflecting a persistent drive for more direct democracy. To achieve this, various strategies were employed to involve citizens more directly in the electoral process. These included the establishment of the direct primary system, which allowed voters to choose party nominees instead of leaving the decision to party bosses. The movement also successfully pushed for the 17th amendment, leading to the direct election of United States senators.
Additionally, states adopted the initiative and referendum processes allowing citizen-proposed laws and public veto power over legislation, respectively. The recall mechanism was another reform that empowered citizens to remove elected officials from office. These changes were designed to strengthen the connection between citizens and their government, as well as to limit the power of political machines and corrupt practices that had come to characterize the electoral process.
Moreover, the Progressive Era was marked by broader social reforms aimed at addressing social inequality, improving public health, expanding education, and advancing civil rights. Women's suffrage became an increasingly important part of the reform movement, gaining momentum with many joining the National American Women's Suffrage Association. Ultimately, these reforms sought to fulfill the promise of equal opportunity and democratic participation in the face of industrialization, urbanization, and political corruption.
In the early 1900s, Progressive Era reformers aimed to increase citizen participation in government through reforms such as direct primaries, the Seventeenth Amendment for direct senatorial elections, and initiatives, referendums, and recalls. These changes were part of a larger movement towards addressing social inequality and corruption in politics. Overall, the reforms promoted a more direct and participatory democracy in the U.S.
;