Progressives 1890-1920 unit 7

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the Progressive Era, covering important figures, movements, and policies.

What was the Progressive Era?

(1890s-1920s) was a period of extensive social activism and political reform in the U.S., focusing on issues like urbanization, industrialization, government corruption, labor rights, women's suffrage, and economic inequality.

What are muckrakers?

were investigative journalists in the Progressive Era (1890s-1920s) who uncovered political corruption and social injustices, raising public awareness and prompting reforms.

What is Social Darwinism?

The belief that society evolves through competition and natural selection, with 'fittest' individuals thriving. Used to justify inequality, it was rejected by Progressives who favored government intervention for social equality.

What is Social Darwinism?

the belief that societal evolution reflects natural selection, where the 'fittest' flourish and the 'unfit' fail. It justifies social inequality and imperialism, opposed by Progressives advocating for reforms to enhance social justice and equality.

What was the Suffrage Movement?

a campaign for women's voting rights, prominent from the late 19th to early 20th century. Key figures like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul employed grassroots organizing and civil disobedience, intersecting with Progressive reforms to secure the 19th Amendment in 1920.

What is 'The Jungle' and its significance?

a 1906 novel by Upton Sinclair that exposes harsh working conditions and unsanitary practices in the meatpacking industry, highlighting immigrant worker exploitation. Its graphic depiction shocked the public, leading to food safety reforms like the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.

What is the NAACP?

The NAACP, founded in 1909, is a civil rights organization aimed at combating racial discrimination and violence, particularly after the Springfield race riot. Founded by figures like W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. Wells, it focuses on legal advocacy and education. It significantly influenced landmark cases like Brown v. Board of Education and campaigns against lynching and voter suppression, and it continues to fight for racial equality.

What is trust-busting?

Trust-busting involves government efforts to break up monopolies and trusts that harm competition. Prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it aimed to protect consumers and small businesses from corporate unfair practices, exemplified by the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 and President Theodore Roosevelt's enforcement against companies like Standard Oil.

What is The Square Deal?

The Square Deal is President Theodore Roosevelt's early 1900s program ensuring fairness for Americans, focusing on consumer protection, conservation, and corporate regulation, resulting in the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat

Municipal Reform

Efforts during the Progressive Era to improve city governance and reduce corruption.

The 19th Amendment

The constitutional amendment ratified in 1920 granting women the right to vote.

Direct Election of Senators

The 17th Amendment established that U.S. Senators would be elected by popular vote rather than by state legislatures.

Labor Protection

Regulatory measures to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions, a key issue for Progressives in the early 20th century.

The Progressive Party

Also known as the Bull Moose Party, formed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 to advocate for Progressive reforms.

Who is John Dewey?

John Dewey was an influential educational reformer and philosopher who promoted experiential learning and critical thinking in the Progressive Education movement. He emphasized hands-on experiences and founded the Laboratory School at the University of Chicago to apply his educational theories.

Environmentalism

A movement aimed at protecting the environment, gaining traction during the Progressive Era.

Booker T. Washington

An African American leader advocating for vocational education and self-help strategies.

Who is W.E.B. Du Bois?

W.E.B. Du Bois was a civil rights activist, co-founder of the NAACP, and the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. He advocated for higher education and led efforts for

What are Child Labor Laws?

Child Labor Laws are regulations established to protect children from exploitation in the workforce. Originating during the Progressive Era, these laws impose minimum age requirements, limit working hours, and ensure safe working conditions. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 is a key piece of legislation that prohibits child employment in hazardous jobs and mandates school attendance, reflecting the efforts of Progressive reformers to address the moral and social issues of child labor.

What was the Food and Drug Act?

The Food and Drug Act, passed in 1906, protects public health by ensuring safe and accurately labeled food and pharmaceuticals. It established the FDA, which regulates food and drugs, prohibiting misbranding and adulteration, and was influenced by public concern highlighted in Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle,' laying the foundation for modern consumer protections

What is 'The Shame of Cities'?

'The Shame of Cities' is a 1904 book by Lincoln Steffens critiquing municipal corruption in U.S. cities, focusing on the links between corrupt politicians and businesses. It highlights graft and mismanagement, raising awareness and inspiring Progressive Era reforms for transparency and accountability