Federal Legislation of the Progressive Era Flashcards
What was Trust Busting?
Roosevelt aggressively enforced the Sherman Antitrust Act, breaking up monopolies like the Northern Securities Company to promote fair competition.
What did the Expedition Act do?
Allowed the government to speed up antitrust cases in federal courts to break up monopolies more efficiently.
What was the purpose of the Elkins Act?
Targeted railroad corruption by banning rebates and requiring fair, published rates.
What did the Department of Commerce and Labor Act establish?
Established a new cabinet department to regulate business and labor relations.
What is the Bureau of Corporations?
Created under the Department of Commerce and Labor to investigate monopolies and enforce antitrust laws.
What was the Northern Securities Company?
Roosevelt’s administration successfully dissolved this railroad monopoly, marking a major victory in trust busting.
What did the Hepburn Act accomplish?
Strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), giving it authority to regulate railroad rates and prevent unfair practices.
What was the Meat Inspection Act?
Required federal inspection of meat processing plants to ensure sanitary conditions.
What did the Pure Food and Drug Act prohibit?
Prohibited mislabeling and harmful additives in food and medicine, leading to the creation of the FDA.
What was Taft’s approach to Trust Busting?
Taft continued Roosevelt’s policies, breaking up more than twice as many trusts, including Standard Oil and American Tobacco.
What did the Mann-Elkins Act strengthen?
Strengthened the ICC’s power over railroad rates and extended its authority to telephone and telegraph companies.
What was the Payne-Aldrich Act?
A controversial tariff law that aimed to lower tariffs but ended up keeping many rates high, angering progressives.
What did the Underwood-Simmons Tariff do?
Significantly reduced tariffs to encourage foreign competition and lower consumer prices.
What was the 1st permanent income tax?
Implemented a federal income tax (16th Amendment) to replace lost revenue from tariff reductions.
What did the Federal Reserve Act create?
Created the Federal Reserve System to regulate banks and stabilize the economy.
What is the Federal Trade Commission?
Established to prevent unfair business practices and monopolies.
What did the Clayton Anti-trust Act strengthen?
Strengthened antitrust laws by prohibiting price discrimination and allowing labor unions to exist legally.
What was the Revenue Act of 1916?
Increased taxes on the wealthy and corporations to fund government programs.
What did the Farm Loan Act provide?
Provided low-interest loans to farmers to help them sustain their businesses.
What did the Child Labor Act prohibit?
Prohibited the interstate sale of goods produced by child labor (later ruled unconstitutional).
What did the Workmen’s Compensation Act provide?
Provided financial assistance to federal workers injured on the job.
What did the Adamson Act establish?
Established an eight-hour workday for railroad workers to improve labor conditions.
What is a Referendum?
Allowed citizens to vote directly on proposed laws.
What is Recall?
Enabled voters to remove elected officials from office before their term ended.
