Progressive Movement Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

During the Progressive Era, one of the key focuses was addressing the rampant corruption that plagued many city governments. Civic reform movements emerged as an organized effort to combat this issue, advocating for changes that would lead to more honest and efficient governance. These movements sought to introduce measures such as the secret ballot, the direct election of senators, and city manager systems which aimed to reduce the influence of corrupt political machines and enable more citizen participation in government.

The emphasis on civic reform was a response to the recognition that political corruption undermined democracy and the well-being of communities. By promoting reforms that increased transparency and accountability, these movements sought to restore public trust in government and make it more responsive to the needs of citizens.

The other initiatives mentioned, while important in their own right, were not primarily focused on combating political corruption in local government. Public transportation expansion, labor union campaigns, and national park preservation had various social, economic, and environmental goals but did not specifically target the corruption issues inherent in city governments at the time.