-Laws making the workplace better, safer, etc.
Sherman Antitrust Act- made it illegal to form a trust that basically broke up monopolies If they thought they were too powerful. It eventually broke up Standard Oil.
Keating-Owen Act- (1916) banned transport of goods across state lines that were produced with child labor. This act however was declared Unconstitutional later by the Supreme Court.
Muller v Oregon- (1908) limited women to a ten hour work day.
Bunting v Oregon- (1917) similar to the Muller v Oregon case, but established the ten-hour workday for men.
Beginning with Maryland in 1902, legislation required employer to pay benefits in death cases.
I think that these laws were vital to the fair treatment of employees, and were led mostly by the Progressives. People now got higher wages, and worked less time.
Direct Election of US Senators-17th Amendment- Before 1913 each state’s legislature chose its own US senators. But that put even more power in the hands of the party bosses and rich businessmen. To force senators to represent the beliefs of the people more, progressives pushed for the direct election of US Senators which let people directly vote for their senators, and the one with the popular vote won. At first the Senate didn't like the idea, and refused to go along with the idea. But eventually more and more states finally allowed it, and the 17th Amendment was ratified in 1913.
I also think that this was very important to the furthering of our country. This way Senators actually had to convince people to vote for them, and vote the way that the people want them to otherwise they will not get voted again.
For Both of My Topics I used the book
Comments
Good info in your first blog but it should be in paragraph form. Your second blog is quite brief overall.