Politics and Reform in Industrial America, 1880–1917

Electoral Politics

High voter turnout despite corruption and inefficiencies.

Spoils System

Political appointments based on loyalty, not merit.

People's Party

Populist party uniting farmers, laborers, and reformers.

Free Silver

Unlimited coinage of silver to combat deflation.

Subtreasury Plan

Credit and storage facilities for farmers' crops.

Panic of 1893

Severe depression from railroad overextension and investment decline.

Coxey's Army

Protest march for government jobs during depression.

Jim Crow Laws

Racial segregation laws consolidating Southern Democratic power.

Literacy Tests

Used to disenfranchise African American voters.

Square Deal

Roosevelt's policy to protect consumers and curb monopolies.

Trust-Busting

Antitrust actions against monopolies by Roosevelt's administration.

Northern Securities Case

1904 antitrust case against a major railroad trust.

Conservation Movement

Efforts to protect natural resources and create parks.

Urban Progressives

Focused on housing, sanitation, and public education reforms.

Child Labor Laws

Legislation aimed at protecting children in the workforce.

Bull Moose Party

Roosevelt's Progressive Party in the 1912 election.

Underwood Tariff

1913 law reducing tariffs to promote competition.

Federal Reserve Act

Established central banking system for economic stability.

Clayton Antitrust Act

Strengthened antitrust laws, protecting labor unions.

William Jennings Bryan

Populist leader advocating free silver and labor rights.

Eugene V. Debs

Socialist leader critiquing industrial capitalism.

Cross of Gold Speech

Bryan's 1896 speech advocating bimetallism and justice.

Muckraking Journalism

Investigative writing exposing industrial abuses and corruption.

17th Amendment

Established direct election of senators in 1913.

Progressive Era

Period of widespread social activism and political reform.

Economic Justice

Calls for fair economic practices and government intervention.

Agrarian Influence

Populists' peak political power in the 1890s.