The Progressive Movement Flashcards
Progressive Movement
A widespread reform movement in the early 20th century that aimed to address social, political, and economic issues caused by industrialization and urbanization.
Goals of the Progressive Movement
- Limiting the power of large corporations and monopolies.
- Addressing issues like child labor and unsafe working conditions.
- Promoting direct democracy through initiatives, referendums, and recall.
- Women’s suffrage.
Muckrakers
Investigative journalists who actively expose corruption in big businesses and the government through their writings with the goal of promoting public reform and legislative change.
Upton Sinclair and The Jungle
A novel written by Upton Sinclair that exposed the horrific working conditions and unsanitary practices within the Chicago meatpacking industry during the early 20th century. The Jungle sparked public outrage, leading to the passage of important food safety legislation.
Ida Tarbell
- A prominent “muckraker,”who exposed the corruption and abuse of power of the Standard Oil Company through investigative reporting.
- She made book called “The History of the Standard Oil Company.”
- Her writings shaped public opinion against monopolies and contributed to the eventual breakup of Standard Oil in 1911 under antitrust laws.
Jane Addams
- A prominent social reformer and activist
- Co-founded The Hull House, one of the first settlement houses in the United States, in 1889 in Chicago
- The Hull House aimed to improve the lives of immigrants and the urban poor by providing education, healthcare, and social services.
Social Gospel
- A religious movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Aimed to apply Christian ethics to address issues arising from rapid industrialization and urbanization.
- It emphasized the role of churches and individuals in advocating for social reform and that getting salvation shouldn’t be solely focusing on individual devotion to the Lord but also on improving society through collective action.
Referendum
A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal and potentially adopt a new law or policy. The referendum was seen as a tool for empowering ordinary citizens, reducing the control of corrupt political machines, and promoting changes.
Initiative
A political process that allows citizens to propose legislation or constitutional amendments by gathering signatures on a petition to empower voters to take direct action and influence government policy, bypassing the traditional legislative process.
Recall
- A political process that allows voters to remove corrupt or ineffective officials from office before their term is completed.
- This mechanism empowers citizens by giving them a direct way to hold officials accountable for their actions and decisions.
16th Amendment
- Ratified in 1913
- Allows Congress to impose a federal income tax without having to base it on population, which was previously required for direct taxes.
- This amendment was a significant milestone for the Progressive Era, as it aimed to address economic inequality and provide the government with necessary revenue to fund social reforms.
17th Amendment
- Ratified in 1913
- Established the direct election of the U.S. Senators by popular vote rather than having them appointed by state legislatures.
- This change aimed to reduce corruption and increase democratic control over the legislative process.
Teddy Roosevelt
- The 26th President of the United States, served from 1901 to 1909.
- Roosevelt’s presidency embodied Progressive Era ideals through his push for reforms that addressed social injustices, economic inequality, & government and corporal corruption.
Roosevelt & Conservation
Roosevelt’s significant efforts to protect and manage natural resources by establishing national parks, wildlife refuges, and national forests, marked a major turning point in American environmental policy.
Anthracite Coal Strike
The 1902 labor dispute where around 140,000 coal miners in Pennsylvania’s anthracites demanded a raise and shorter work days while also seeking recognition of their union.
Significance of Anthracite Coal Strike
Unlike his predecessors, Roosevelt threatened to seize the coal mines if the owners refused to negotiate, forcing them to agree to arbitration. It marked a significant moment where the federal government actively acted as a neutral mediator to resolve a labor conflict.
Northern Securities Case
- The Northern Securities Company was a large railroad trust formed in 1901 by J.P. Morgan and other prominent financiers.
- It controlled several major railroads in the Northwest.
- In 1904, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Roosevelt, ordering the dissolution of the company under the Sherman Antitrust Act, marking a significant victory for antitrust enforcement.
Roosevelt’s View of the Federal government
Advocated for a strong federal government to actively intervene in the economy and promote social justice to protect its citizens.
Pure Food and Drug Act
A landmark piece of legislation enacted in 1906 aimed at regulating the labeling and quality of food and pharmaceuticals to eliminate misbranding and adulteration for consumer protection.
Meat Inspection Act
- A pivotal piece of legislation in 1906 aimed at ensuring sanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry.
- It mandated federal inspections of meat products, established standards for hygiene, and sought to protect consumers from contaminated and misbranded meat.
William Howard Taft
The 27th President of the United States, serving from 1909 to 1913. His presidency is marked by a focus on trust-busting, a continuation of progressive reforms.
He was apart of the Republican Party.
Pinchot-Ballinger Controversy
- A major political scandal during the Taft administration where Gifford Pinchot accused Richard Ballinger of allowing private companies, particularly with coal interests, to gain access to public lands in Alaska for personal gain.
- Ballinger’s actions were going against conservationist policies established by Roosevelt.
How did Taft’s presidency differ from Roosevelt’s presidency?
- William Taft’s approach to progressivism was more focused on legal action against trusts and less on bold executive actions compared to Theodore Roosevelt.
- While Roosevelt embraced a more hands-on style of governance and sought immediate reforms, Taft favored a more conservative approach that relied heavily on the courts.
Taft’s falling out with Theodore Roosevelt
- A political falling out between the former allies, primarily stemming from Taft’s perceived more conservative approach to progressive reforms which clashed with Roosevelt’s more aggressive approach and his inaction towards the conservation of land.
- This ultimately lead to Roosevelt challenging Taft for the Republican presidential nomination in 1912 and forming the Progressive Party (“Bull Moose Party”) when he lost.