Question

question 7 of 10

which progressive goal was accomplished by the sixteenth amendment?

a. establishment of a tax that was applied to tariffs on goods
b. establishment of a federal commission to regulate railways
c. establishment of a tax that was applied to a persons income
d. establishment of a central bank to prepare for panics and recessions

Explanation:

Identify the core subject of the Sixteenth Amendment

The question asks which Progressive goal was accomplished by the Sixteenth Amendment. The Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1913, explicitly granted Congress the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States. This established the federal income tax.

Connect the amendment to the options

Let's evaluate the given options based on historical facts:

• A. Establishment of a tax that was applied to tariffs on goods: This is incorrect. Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, which already existed and were not created by this amendment.
• B. Establishment of a federal commission to regulate railways: This refers to the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), established by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, not the Sixteenth Amendment.
• C. Establishment of a tax that was applied to a person's income: This directly describes the federal income tax authorized by the Sixteenth Amendment.
• D. Establishment of a central bank to prepare for panics and recessions: This refers to the Federal Reserve System, created by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, not a constitutional amendment.

Relate to Progressive Era goals

During the Progressive Era Reform movement, reformers sought to address economic inequality. They advocated for a graduated income tax to ensure that wealthy individuals paid a higher share of taxes, reducing reliance on high tariffs which disproportionately burdened working-class consumers. The ratification of the Sixteenth Amendment successfully achieved this goal.

Answer:

• (A) Establishment of a tax that was applied to tariffs on goods
• (B) Establishment of a federal commission to regulate railways
• (C) Establishment of a tax that was applied to a person's income (Correct answer)
• (D) Establishment of a central bank to prepare for panics and recessions