Study On The Municipal System Of St. Louis(1876-1914)

Municipal reform was a major event in the transition of urbanization in the United States.By the end of the 19 th century,the United States had achieved a transformation from an agrarian society to an industrial society.At the same time,there are also many contradictions and problems in society: municipal corruption,chaotic urban governance,widening gap between the rich and the poor,urban environmental deterioration and a series of other problems have re-put forward requirements for urban governance in this period,and a municipal reform movement has flourished in American society.The object of this study is St.Louis,known as the "Gateway to the West".The St.Louis City Charter promulgated by the State of Missouri in 1876 was the first urban self-governing charter in the history of the United States,and the subsequent city-county separation reform in St.Louis also provided a reference path for municipal change in many cities in the United States.This essay covers the period from the mid-19 th century to the early 20 th century and addresses the progressive movement as the backdrop to St.Louis’ municipal reform.By analyzing the common problems of the municipal system in the United States during the Progressive Movement,this paper further explores the problems arising in the process of urban governance and urban development in St.Louis,and explores the deep-seated motives of St.Louis’ municipal reform.On the whole,the reform of St.Louis’ s municipal system in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries had two sides: there were its progresses,and in the long run,there were many shortcomings.Therefore,the reform of the St.Louis system during this period is still in the initial stage of its reform.The text is divided into four parts: introduction,text,conclusion,and references.The main text is divided into three chapters.The first chapter discusses the origin of St.Louis’ municipal reform,traces the origin of the municipal issues to be discussed in this article,and further sorts out the historical motives that promote St.Louis’ municipal reform.Chapter 2 focuses on the specific content of the municipal reform of St.Louis in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries,starting with the three charter reform movements that took place in St.Louis during this period.This paper explains the background,content,and influence of the three Charter reform movements and the relationship between the three reform movements.Chapter III evaluates the effectiveness of the three Charter reform campaigns,summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the Charter reform campaigns,and summarizes the factors affecting Charter reform.Finally,a basic judgment is made on the future political direction of St.Louis.This paper argues that the reform movement improved the level of municipal services in St.Louis.The promulgation of the Self-Governing Charter of 1876 led St.Louis to achieve administrative independence,the most positive change in St.Louis’ s political sphere.In the years that followed,especially during the Progressive Movement,when major cities in the United States made changes,St.Louis was too heavy in its own historical baggage due to regional factionalism,racial politics,party politics and other issues,and did not seize the opportunity in the era of change and gradually declined.