Discussion Questions
Chapter 25
Explain the rationale behind a new state constitution in 1879. What were some of the major reforms?
REPLY TO
The reason behind a new state constitution in 1879 was because of the social-economic state of the world leading up that point. In 1873, the unemployment rate was high with those with jobs getting paid only $2 a day. In 1876, the dry weather caused a lack of harvest to grow. In 1877, many strikes arose due to the unemployment. In the same year anti-Chinese riots were seen which caused the strikes of unemployment to become more dangerous. Finally in 1878 talks of a new state constitution began. The following year, major reforms were put into place. One of the major ones was deeming prohibitions against employment of Chinese people to be unconstitutional. One other major reform was the demand for an eight-hour
day, fixed salaries, and the rise of the bureau of labor affairs. There was a State Railroad commission put in play to manage the railroad industry but this was never heavily enforced. All in all the new state constitutions biggest reform was being to better the government structure while giving more power to certain groups and removing power from others.