Grade 4 students learn how political corruption and unfair business practices in late 1800s California led to significant government reforms, including the state's second constitution in 1879 and the progressive reforms of Governor Hiram Johnson in 1910. The lesson covers key vocabulary such as corruption and reform, explaining how the new constitution limited legislative power, regulated industries like the Southern Pacific Railroad, and introduced citizen voting tools including the initiative, referendum, and recall. This content is part of Chapter 6 of California myWorld Interactive, which examines California's era of expansion and change.
Section 1
Challenge: Corruption and the 1879 Constitution
To prepare for statehood, California needed a set of rules. Leaders met in Monterey and wrote the first constitution in 1849. Although the constitution was ready, California did not officially become a state until 1850, after the U.S. Congress approved it.
Over time, some large companies and dishonest leaders became too powerful. This political corruption meant the government wasn't always working for the people.
Section 2
Californians Create a Flawed Constitution
To fight corruption, Californians wrote a new state constitution in 1879. This new set of laws tried to limit the power of big companies, like the railroads. It aimed to make government fairer for farmers and other citizens.
But the constitution also included new, unjust rules. These discriminatory laws specifically targeted Chinese immigrants. The laws banned companies and the state from hiring Chinese workers, which created great hardship for them.
Section 3
Reform: The Progressive Movement and Hiram Johnson
A group of leaders called Progressives wanted to fix this. Their leader, Hiram Johnson, was elected governor in 1910. He promised to kick the powerful companies out of politics and give power back to the citizens.
The Progressives created new ways for people to vote on laws directly. This gave everyday Californians more control over their government and helped make it fairer for everyone.The Progressives also fought for more people to have a voice. In 1911, a new law was passed that gave women in California the right to vote.
Section 4
New Industries Grow Los Angeles
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Southern California's population grew rapidly. New railroad lines made it easier for people from across the United States to move to the state, and many settled in Los Angeles.
People came looking for new jobs and opportunities. The city became a center for new businesses, including the oil and movie industries. This boom in people and work turned Los Angeles from a small town into a large, important city.
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Section 1
Challenge: Corruption and the 1879 Constitution
To prepare for statehood, California needed a set of rules. Leaders met in Monterey and wrote the first constitution in 1849. Although the constitution was ready, California did not officially become a state until 1850, after the U.S. Congress approved it.
Over time, some large companies and dishonest leaders became too powerful. This political corruption meant the government wasn't always working for the people.
Section 2
Californians Create a Flawed Constitution
To fight corruption, Californians wrote a new state constitution in 1879. This new set of laws tried to limit the power of big companies, like the railroads. It aimed to make government fairer for farmers and other citizens.
But the constitution also included new, unjust rules. These discriminatory laws specifically targeted Chinese immigrants. The laws banned companies and the state from hiring Chinese workers, which created great hardship for them.
Section 3
Reform: The Progressive Movement and Hiram Johnson
A group of leaders called Progressives wanted to fix this. Their leader, Hiram Johnson, was elected governor in 1910. He promised to kick the powerful companies out of politics and give power back to the citizens.
The Progressives created new ways for people to vote on laws directly. This gave everyday Californians more control over their government and helped make it fairer for everyone.The Progressives also fought for more people to have a voice. In 1911, a new law was passed that gave women in California the right to vote.
Section 4
New Industries Grow Los Angeles
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Southern California's population grew rapidly. New railroad lines made it easier for people from across the United States to move to the state, and many settled in Los Angeles.
People came looking for new jobs and opportunities. The city became a center for new businesses, including the oil and movie industries. This boom in people and work turned Los Angeles from a small town into a large, important city.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter