Question

(MC) Which statement BEST explains how Progressive reformers influenced the political process?

A.) Reform efforts expanded suffrage to racial minorities.
B.) Reform efforts increased public participation in politics.
C.) Reform efforts restricted the power of the federal government.
D.) Reform efforts created a political system with two parties.

Answer 1

B.) Reform efforts increased public participation in politics

Step-by-step explanation:

The Progressive Era (1890-1920) refers to a period of United States history in which mass, novel political reformation and social advocacy occurred. With this era came reforms that covered sanitation, the environment, and most relating to this question: elections. Ultimately, the impact Progressive reformers had on the political process was most clearly visible in increased public participation in politics.

The most important election measures passed were recall, referendum, initiative, the secret ballot, and both the 17th and 19th amendment.

• Political recall enabled United States citizens the ability to call for the process of recall, in which elected officials could be potentially deposed through recall elections initiated by petition.
• Referendum enabled United States citizens the right to vote directly on proposed legislation in a state legislature.
• Initiative enabled United States citizens the ability to propose legislation to be heard in a state legislature.
• Secret ballots enabled United States citizens a right to privacy when casting their ballots.
• The 17th Amendment enabled United States citizens a right to directly vote for United States Senators in a system of a popular vote. Prior this this, United States Senators were elected by state legislatures.
• The 19th Amendment enabled women the right to vote.

All of the above measures are crucially responsible for a dramatic increase in the public's participation in politics.

Answer "A" is incorrect because suffrage expansion to racial minorities was not a movement at this time. The 15th amendment, allowing African-American men to vote, was passed in 1870. To strengthen the argument against this answer, the Progressives included little to no campaigns in regards to the barriers put in place to prevent African-Americans from voting, such as literacy tests and poll taxes.

Answer "C" is incorrect because the Progressive reform efforts did not restrict the power of the federal government, these efforts focused on empowering American citizens in politics, and this empowerment did not involve disempowering the federal government.

Answer "D" is incorrect as the two-party political system in the United States has predated the Progressive Era.