Final answer:
The Seventeenth Amendment changed the U.S. electoral system by allowing the direct election of Senators. This aimed to eliminate the corruption associated with the previous practice of state legislatures appointing Senators, creating a fairer and more democratic process, and making the Senate more accountable to the electorate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Seventeenth Amendment was pivotal in reforming the way U.S. Senators were elected. Prior to the amendment, senators were chosen by state legislatures, a practice that led to corruption and the perception that senators were chosen based on friendship or business connections rather than qualifications. The amendment resolved these issues by mandating the direct election of Senators by the people, matching the election process of the House of Representatives and thus providing fairer representation of state constituencies in Congress.
Progressives and proponents of democratic reform, including figures like William Jennings Bryan, pushed for the passage of the Seventeenth Amendment to ensure that the electorate could have a more transparent and accountable process for selecting their senators. The amendment was passed by Congress in 1912 and ratified in 1913, leading to more deliberate and considered representation in the Senate, which was now accountable directly to voters.
Consequently, the amendment addressed issues of disenfranchisement and democratic deficiencies by ensuring that all segments of the population could have a say in choosing their senators, rather than leaving the decision to potentially biased state legislatures. The change reflected the evolving political landscape and public demand for a more democratic and responsive legislative process.