Changing the Constitution

In the early 20th century, many Americans were concerned about the vast fortunes held by a small group of people. It is estimated that four percent of Americans controlled one third of all the nation’s wealth. Meanwhile, a large segment of the population earned barely enough money to survive. Those families had little or no savings or any type of insurance.

America had experienced rapid and widespread industrialization after the Civil War (1861–1865). The situation had made a small group of industrialists and bankers quite rich. Their great wealth was untouched by the government. There was no federal income tax on individuals. The chief sources of government