Key U.S. Legislation and Events During Progressive Era and WWI

Underwood Tariff

A 1913 law that lowered tariffs and implemented a federal income tax to make up for lost revenue.

Federal Reserve Act

Established the Federal Reserve System in 1913 to regulate the money supply and banking system.

Federal Trade Commission Act

Created the FTC in 1914 to prevent unfair business practices and maintain competition.

Clayton Anti-Trust Act

Strengthened antitrust laws in 1914 by outlawing certain monopolistic practices and protecting labor unions.

Holding companies

Corporations created to own stock in other companies, often used to form monopolies.

Workingmen's Compensation Act

A 1916 law providing disability pay to federal employees injured on the job.

Adamson Act

Established an eight-hour workday for railroad workers in 1916 to prevent strikes.

Jones Act

Granted the Philippines territorial status and promised future independence in 1916.

Tampico Incident

A 1914 confrontation between U.S. sailors and Mexican forces that almost led to war.

Central Powers

The World War I alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

Allies

The World War I alliance of Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and later the United States.

U-boats

German submarines that attacked Allied and neutral ships during World War I.

Lusitania

A British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, killing Americans and angering the U.S.

Zimmermann note

A 1917 German telegram urging Mexico to join the war against the U.S. in return for lost territory.

Fourteen Points

Woodrow Wilson's 1918 plan for postwar peace, emphasizing self-determination and the League of Nations.

Committee on Public Information

Government propaganda agency led by George Creel to promote WWI support.

Espionage Act

A 1917 law punishing interference with the draft or military operations during WWI.

Schenck v. United States

A 1919 Supreme Court case upholding limits on free speech during wartime if it creates a "clear and present danger."

War Industries Board

Government agency that coordinated industrial production for the war effort during WWI.

Industrial Workers of the World

A radical labor union that sought to unite all workers and overthrow capitalism.

General strike

A massive strike involving workers across multiple industries, often to demand broad social change.

Great Migration

The movement of African Americans from the rural South to northern cities during WWI.

Nineteenth Amendment

Ratified in 1920, it granted women the right to vote in the United States.

Sheppard-Towner Maternity Act

A 1921 law providing federal funds for maternal and infant health programs.

American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)

The U.S. military force sent to fight in Europe during World War I.

Battle of Château-Thierry

A 1918 battle marking the first major American engagement in World War I.

Meuse-Argonne offensive

The largest U.S. military operation of WWI, helping to push Germany toward surrender.

League of Nations

An international organization proposed by Wilson to promote peace after WWI.

Treaty of Versailles

The 1919 peace treaty ending WWI, which blamed Germany and imposed heavy reparations.

Irreconcilables

Senators who opposed the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations under any circumstances.

Louis D. Brandeis

Progressive Supreme Court justice appointed by Wilson, known for defending social reforms.

Victoriano Huerta

Mexican general who seized power in 1913, leading to strained U.S.-Mexican relations.

Francisco ("Pancho") Villa

Mexican revolutionary who raided U.S. territory, prompting an American military expedition.

Arthur Zimmermann

German foreign secretary who sent the Zimmermann Telegram to Mexico in 1917.

George Creel

Head of the Committee on Public Information who spread pro-war propaganda.

Eugene V. Debs

Socialist leader imprisoned under the Espionage Act for opposing WWI.

William D. ("Big Bill") Haywood

Leader of the Industrial Workers of the World who championed radical labor activism.

Herbert C. Hoover

Head of the Food Administration during WWI who organized food conservation and relief efforts.

Alice Paul

Militant suffragist who led the National Woman's Party and pushed for the Nineteenth Amendment.

Henry Cabot Lodge

Republican senator who opposed Wilson's League of Nations and led the Senate fight against the Treaty of Versailles.