Progressive Era (1895-1914) Flashcards
Social Gospel Movement
movement originated in the Protestant church that aimed to help the urban poor; it had a significant influence on Progressives
Muckrakers
writers who exposed unethical practices in both government and business during this era; media editors discovered these stories increased circulation + engagement
Seventeenth Amendment
amendment that allowed voters instead of state legislatures to elect U.S. senators which was championed by Progressives.
initiative process
this process allowed any citizen to propose a law. If enough supporters’ signatures could be obtained, the proposed law would appear on the next ballot
referendum process
this allowed citizens instead of state legislatures to vote on proposed laws
recall process
this process allowed voters to remove an elected official from office before their term expired
direct primary
this process allowed party members to vote for prospective candidates most of whom and previously been chosen by party conventions
Hull House
settlement house in Chicago founded by Jane Addams; this became a model for settlement houses across the country
National American Woman Suffrage Association
created in 1890 by a merger of two women’s suffrage organizations and led in its early years by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. This was instrumental in advocating for women’s right to vote
Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
1911 fire in NYC that killed nearly 150 female factory workers. It was later discovered that the workers had been locked in the factory as a result of a lack of factory regulations
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
novel that highlighted numerous problems of the meatpacking industry and inspired the Pure Food and Drug Act as well as the Meat Inspection Act
Taylorism
the belief practiced by many factory owners beginning in 1911 that factories should be managed in a scientific manner with everything done to increase efficiency. Taylor described workers as machines, which workers heavily resisted to.
National Consumers League
formed in 1899 this organization wanted to improve working and living conditions of women in the workplace
settlement houses
centers set up by progressive-era reformers in the poorest section of American cities where workers and children could receive lessons in English or citizenship. Women often received sewing or cooking lessons. The first house was the Hull House.
Anti-Saloon League
organization founded in 1893 that increased public awareness of the social effects of alcohol on society. This supported by politicians who favored prohibition and promoted statewide referendums.
National Women’s Party
formed by Alice Pul after women were given the right to vote, they unsuccessfully lobbied to get an Equal Rights Amendment for women added to the constitution. Desire for this amendment would return in the 1970s.
Square Deal
philosophy of President Roosevelt that desired to treat both sides fairly in a dispute. This approach was famously used in the coal miner’s strike of 1902 and railroad regulations
Pure Food and Drug Act
1906 bill that created a federal Food and Drug Administration and protected consumerism during the Progressive Era at the result of the novel The Jungle
Meat Inspection Act
Inspired by the novel The Jungle, this 1906 bill established a government commission that would monitor the quality of all meat sold in the U.S. and inspect the meatpacking industry for safety and cleanliness.
Ballinger-Pinchot Affair
crisis during the Taft presidency when secretary of the Interior, Richard Ballinger, allowed private owners to purchase large amounts of public land in Alaska. The head of Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, spoke up to Taft and was fired. This distanced Taft from many progressive supporters.
New Nationalism
the group of Progressive reforms supported by Roosevelt when he ran for president in 1912. Roosevelt said that more needed to be done to regulate big business and that neither of his opponents was committed to conservation.
Sixteenth Amendment
amendment that instituted a federal income tax in 1913. Congress felt this would be fairer than a national sales tax.
Bull Moose Party
name given to the Progressive Party in the 1912 presidential campaign. Bull Moose candidate ex-president Roosevelt ran against Taft and Wilson with Wilson emerging victorious.
New Freedom policy
an approach favored by Southern/Midwestern Democrats, this policy stated that economic and political preparation for WWI should be decentralized which would prevent too much power from falling into the federal government. Wilson first favored this but later established federal agencies to mobilize the war.
Clayton Antitrust Act
Act in 1914 to strengthen the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. Certain activities previously committed by big businesses, such as not allowing unions in factories and not allowing strikes were declared illegal.
Federal Trade Commission
authorized after the Clayton Antitrust Act, this was established as the major governing body in charge of regulating big business.
Federal Reserve System
Established by the Federal Reserve Act of 1912, this established 12 district banks to be controlled the banks within each district. In addition, a Federal Reserve Board was put in charge of regulating the entire structure.
Birth of a Nation
movie released in 1915 that portrayed the Reconstruction period as a time when Southern blacks threatened rights the KKK tried to protect. The film was praised by many including President Wilson.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
formed in 1909, this organization fought for the rights of blacks in America. They went to court for the plaintiff in Brown v. Board of Ed. case using their head of counsel as their main attorney. Thurgood Marshall later became a Supreme Court Justice.
