AP Success - AP US History: Context on the 17th Amendment
The 17th Amendment was one of the Amendements passed during the Progressive Era.
“17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Direct Election of U.S. Senators.” National Archives.Americans did not directly vote for senators for the first 125 years of the Federal Government. The Constitution, as it was adopted in 1788, stated that senators would be elected by state legislatures. The first proposal to amend the Constitution to elect senators by popular vote was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1826, but the idea did not gain considerable support until the late 19th century when several problems related to Senate elections had become evident. Several state legislatures deadlocked over the election of senators, which led to Senate vacancies lasting months and even years. In other cases, political machines gained control over state legislatures, and the Senators elected with their support were dismissed as puppets. In addition, the Senate was seen as a “millionaire's club” serving powerful private interests. The rise of the People's Party, commonly referred to as the Populist Party, added motivation for making the Senate more directly accountable to the people.
Question 1
Short answer
Briefly describe ONE problem concerning American politics before the excerpt of the 17th Amendment described in the excerpt.
Question 2
Short answer
Briefly explain ONE specific historical development that led to the excerpt of the 17th Amendment.
Question 3
Short answer
Briefly explain ONE way the excerpt of the 17th Amendment affected American politics from 1917 to 1945.
Teach with AI superpowers
Why teachers love Class Companion
Import assignments to get started in no time.
Create your own rubric to customize the AI feedback to your liking.
Overrule the AI feedback if a student disputes.
Other U.S. History Assignments
10/4: Foreign Policy in the Early Republic10/4: Foreign Policy in the Early Republic10/4: Foreign Policy in the Early Republic10/4: Foreign Policy in the Early Republic11.1 Colonial Foundations11.1 Colonial Foundations11.2c: From the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution11.2 CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS (1763 – 1824)11.2d: U.S. Government Foundations: Key Developments and Precedents11.2 Reliability - Declaration of Independence11.3 Reliability - Monroe Doctrine1.2 Compare Native Americans in Two Regions1.2 Compare Native Americans in Two Regions1.3 & 1.4 Extent Transatlantic Voyages affected the Americas1 - 4.6 (a) Market Revolution: Society and Culture1 - 4.6 (b) Market Revolution: Society and Culture1 - 4.8 (a) Jackson and Federal Power1 - 4.8 (b) Jackson and Federal Power1 - 4.8 (c) Jackson and Federal Power1492-1700 Interactions with Native Americans1.4 Extent the Columbian Exchange fostered Change(1.4) SAQ - THE COLUMBIAN EXCHANGE14th & 15th Amendments 1865-18771.6 Change because of Interactions Between Europeans & Native Americans1920s: Cultural and Political Controversies1920s Cultural Developments1920s DBQ1920s SAQ1945-Present Unit Exam Reassessment1950s conformity19th Century Immigration and Economic Growth in the United States19th Century Industrialists: Captains of Industry or Robber Barons1 Doc DBQ Antebellum Women1 Doc DBQ Antebellum Women2000 DBQ: Organized Labor's Success in Improving Workers' Position (1875-1900)2018 DBQ Role of US in the World 1865-19102018 Practice Exam - Q1: Historians on the Civil War2018 Practice Exam - Q2: Tire Advertisement - explain2018 Practice Exam - Q3: Compare First Great Awakening to Enlightenment2018 Practice Exam - Q4: Compare Korean War to Vietnam War2018 Practice Exam - Q5: Extent of Change in U.S. Foreign Policy2019 DBQ2019 International Practice Exam DBQ2019 International Practice Exam LEQ2019 International Practice Exam SAQ2019 International Practice Exam SAQ (Required)2023 LEQ Colonial Societies Revolution2.0 Colonial Dynamics and the Fur Trade2.0 Colonial Grievances and Responses: The Case of Nathaniel Bacon2.0 Comparative Goals in Spanish and English Colonial Expansion