The Progressive Era

16th Amendment

Ratified in 1913, this amendment to the U.S. Constitution allowed Congress to impose a federal income tax.

17th Amendment

Ratified in 1913, it established the direct election of United States Senators by popular vote, removing their selection from state legislatures.

18th Amendment

Ratified in 1919, this amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, leading to the era of Prohibition.

19th Amendment

Ratified in 1920, it granted women the right to vote, ensuring suffrage for all citizens regardless of gender.

1912 Election

A pivotal election where Theodore Roosevelt ran as a Progressive (Bull Moose) candidate against William Howard Taft (Republican), Woodrow Wilson (Democrat), and Eugene Debs (Socialist). Wilson won, but the Progressive Party signaled a significant shift in American politics.

American Federation of Labor

Founded in 1886, it was a prominent labor union focused on skilled workers. Under Samuel Gompers, it advocated for better working conditions and wages.

Alice Paul & Lucy Burns

Suffragists who led the National Woman's Party and were instrumental in the fight for women's suffrage. They employed more militant tactics.

Anti-Defamation League (ADL)

Founded in 1913, it aimed to combat anti-Semitism and prejudice. It initially focused on Jewish concerns but later expanded to fight against all forms of bigotry.

Australian Ballot

Also known as the secret ballot, this system was introduced in the United States during the Progressive Era to ensure the privacy of a voter's choice.

Richard Ballinger

A controversial figure as Secretary of the Interior under President Taft. His policies were criticized for favoring business interests over conservation.

Gifford Pinchot

A leading conservationist, first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and a close ally of Theodore Roosevelt

Billy Sunday

An influential evangelical preacher, he played a significant role in the temperance movement and supported Prohibition

Bull Moose Party

The progressive party, formed by Theodore Roosevelt for the 1912 election, advocated for a range of progressive reforms including trust-busting and labor rights

Clayton Anti-trust Act

Passed in 1914, this act further strengthen the Sherman Antitrust Act by prohibiting specific business practices that were anti-competitive

Conservationists

Advocates for the wise use and reservation of natural resources, often associated with Theodore Roosevelt’s policies

Eugene Debs

A prominent socialist leader, he ran for president multiple times and was a key figure in the labor movement

Federal Trade Commission

Established in 1914, it was tasked with preventing unfair business practices and promoting competition in the marketplace

Hepburn Act

Passed in 1906, it gave the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) the power to set maximum railroad rates

Ida Tarbell

A muckraking journalist, she wrote extensively about the Standard Oil Company and its monopolistic practices

International Ladies Garment Workers League

A labor union representing garment workers, it was a powerful force for improving conditions in the industry

Income Tax

The 16th Amendment enabled Congress to levy an income tax on citizens, helping to fund government initiatives and social programs

Initiative

A progressive political reform that allowed citizens to propose and vote on laws directly, bypassing state legislature

Lincoln Steffens

A prominent muckraker, he exposed corruption in American Cites through his series of articles in “Mclures’s” magazine

Lochner vs. New York

A landmark Supreme Court case (1905) that dealt with labor regulations and set the state for debates about government intervention in the economy

Louis Brandeis

A lawyer and later Supreme Court Justice, he was a leading progressive figure known for his advocacy of social justice and economic reform

Meat Inspection Act of 1906

This legislation, spurred by Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle,” aimed to improve the conditions of the meatpacking industry and protect consumer health

Muckrakers

Journalists and writers who exposed corruption, social issues, and injustices in American Society, influencing public opinion and policy

Muller vs. Oregon

A landmark Supreme Court case (1908) that upheld labor laws limiting women’s working hours, based on the idea that women needed special protection in the workplace

Municipal reform

Efforts to clean up and reform city governments, often targeting corruption and inefficiency in urban areas

NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, founded in 1909, aimed to fight for civil rights and end racial discrimination

NACW

The National Association of Colored Women, established in 1896, focused on social reform and the advancement of African American women

National Park Service

Established in 1916, it oversees and maintains national parks and monuments for the enjoyment and education of the public

New Freedom

Woodrow Wilson’s progressive platform that advocated for stronger antitrust laws, banking reform, and reduced tariffs

New Nationalism

Theodore Roosevelt’s progressive platform that called for increased government regulation of business and social justice measures

New York Tenement Act of 1901

A significant piece of housing reform legislation aimed at improving living conditions for the urban poor

Northern Securities Company

A holding company in the railroad industry that was targeted by Theodore Roosevelt in one of his notable antitrust actions

Preservationists

Advocates for the protection of natural environments and wildlife, often at odds with those who wanted to exploit resources for economic gain

Progressives

A diverse group of reformers who sought to address social, political, and economic issues through government intervention and regulation

Prohibition

The period from 1920 to 1933 when the manufacture, sale, and transportation for alcoholic beverages were banned in the United States

Pure Food & Drug Act

Passed in 1906, it aimed to ensure the safety and purity of food and drugs by regulating their production and distribution

Recall

A progressive political reform that allowed voters to remove an elected official from office before their term was up.

Robert La Follette

A prominent progressive politician, he served as governor of Wisconsin and was a U.S. Senator known for his advocacy of direct democracy

Saloons

Establishments where alcoholic beverages were sold, often the target of temperance reformers during the Progressive Era.

Square Deal

Theodore Roosevelt's domestic policy agenda, which aimed to balance the interests of business, consumers, and labor.

Susan B. Anthony

Susan B. Anthony - A leading figure in the women's suffrage movement, known for her tireless efforts to secure voting rights for women.

The Jungle

A novel written by Upton Sinclair that exposed the unsanitary and exploitative conditions in the meatpacking industry, leading to increased calls for regulation.

Theodore Roosevelt

The 26th President of the United States, known for his progressive policies, including trust-busting, conservation, and advocating for consumer protection.

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

A tragic industrial fire in 1911 that resulted in the deaths of 146 garment workers, highlighting the need for improved safety and labor conditions.

US Forest Service

Established by Gifford Pinchot, it was tasked with managing and protecting national forests, emphasizing sustainable use of natural resources.

William Howard Taft

The 27th President of the United States, his administration continued many of Theodore Roosevelt's progressive policies, though he faced some internal party conflicts.

William Jennings Bryan

A prominent political figure, he was known for his populist and progressive stances on issues like income tax and anti-monopoly measures.

Wobblies

Members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), a radical labor union that sought to organize all workers, regardless of skill or trade.

Woman Suffrage

The movement advocating for women’s right to vote, which culminated in the passage of the 19th Amendment

Woodrow Wilson

The 28th President of the United States, he implemented a progressive agenda that included banking and tariff reforms, but also faced criticism for some policies