The Progressive Era Flashcards
Oligopoly
a few large companies that took charge of prices for an entire industry
Muckrakers
reporters who told the public about corruption
initiative
The right of voters to put an issue on the ballot in a state election
referendum
the right of voters to reject or accept laws
recall
the right of voters to remove elected officials who lacked eligibility for the job
Progressives
reformers, people who wanted to change the society for the better
Political machines
powerful groups linked to political parties, controlled local government
Political boss
Controlled jobs in each district
Kickbacks
illegal payments
Boss Tweed
William Tweed, controlled most of NYC
Thomas Nast
policial cartoonist
Spoils System
elected officials rewarded their friends with jobs even if they weren’t qualified
Pendleton Act
1883, created the Civil Service Commission, which gave tests for people wanting federal jobs
Sherman Antitrust Act
1890, first federal law to control trusts
Interstate Commerce Act
1887, made railroads charge fair rates
tariffs
taxes charged on imported goods. Imported goods are made in other countries. Tariffs would make imported goods cost more.
socialism
Socialists felt that it was unfair that a few people had most of the wealth and power in America. They believed more people should have wealth and power. Socialists wanted the government to own and operate businesses.
Eugene Debs
Progressivism
Progressives also believed that it was unfair for a few people to own most of the wealth and power. Progressives disagreed with socialists on how to solve this problem. They did not think the government should own businesses. Progressives wanted the government to regulate businesses. This meant that the government would make rules that businesses would have to follow.
Meat Inspection Act , Pure Food and Drug Act
1906
made businesses put labels on food and medicine. The labels told people what the businesses had put into food and medicine. Food that might cause harm could not be sold
result of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle
17th Amendment
1912, allowed people to vote for their senators
suffragists
men and women who fought for woman suffrage, or women’s right to vote
prohibition
laws that banned the making or selling of liquor
Jane Addams
set up Hull House in Chicago, a settlement house
Mary Church Terrell
founder of the National Associaltion of Colored Women
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B Anthony, Alice Paul
suffragists and leaders
Nineteenth Amendment
1920, Women got the right to vote
Children’s bureau
inspected children’s work conditions
Eighteenth Amendment
1919, illegal to make, sell, or transport alcohol
