🇺🇸ap us history review

key term - 17th Amendment

Definition

The 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1913, established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote. This change aimed to reduce corruption and increase democratic control over the legislative process by allowing citizens to directly choose their senators, rather than having them appointed by state legislatures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Before the 17th Amendment, U.S. Senators were elected by state legislatures, which often led to bribery and corruption.
  2. The amendment was part of the broader Progressive Movement, which sought to increase government accountability and reduce the influence of powerful interests.
  3. Ratification of the 17th Amendment was influenced by public discontent with political machines and corruption in state legislatures during the late 19th century.
  4. The 17th Amendment allows for a two-step election process: voters in each state elect their senators directly during general elections.
  5. Since its ratification, the 17th Amendment has significantly changed the dynamics of federal representation and accountability in Congress.

Review Questions

  • How did the 17th Amendment reflect the goals of the Progressive Movement?
    • The 17th Amendment aligned with the goals of the Progressive Movement by promoting direct democracy and reducing corruption in government. Progressives believed that allowing citizens to directly elect their senators would diminish the power of corrupt political machines that influenced state legislatures. This shift aimed to create a more transparent political process where elected officials were more accountable to the people they represented.
  • Evaluate the impact of the 17th Amendment on state politics and governance.
    • The impact of the 17th Amendment on state politics was significant as it shifted power from state legislatures to voters. This change altered how senators approached their responsibilities, as they now had to appeal directly to their constituents rather than rely on legislative backroom deals for their election. As a result, this increased public engagement in politics and shifted the balance of power, making senators more attuned to the needs and opinions of their voters.
  • Analyze how the passage of the 17th Amendment may have changed the relationship between federal and state governments in terms of political accountability.
    • The passage of the 17th Amendment transformed the relationship between federal and state governments regarding political accountability by diminishing state influence in federal legislative processes. By allowing for direct election of senators, it empowered voters at the expense of state legislatures, fostering a system where senators had to be responsive to public sentiment rather than political elites. This shift increased federal accountability but also raised concerns about whether this could lead to populism overriding essential checks on governance.