Progressive Era Review Vocabulary Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering Progressive Era key concepts, reformers, social movements, constitutional amendments, legislation, presidents, and government voting reforms.

Progressive Era (1900-1920)

A period between 1900 and 1920 when Americans worked to reform and fix problems created by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and the Gilded Age.

Reformer

A person who works to change or improve laws, government, society, or living conditions.

Muckraker

A journalist or writer who exposed problems, corruption, and unfair conditions to encourage reform.

Social Movement

An organized effort by a group of people to create change or address a problem in society.

Grange Movement

A movement of farmers that addressed farmer problems such as railroad rates and high costs.

Populist Movement

A movement of farmers and workers that challenged powerful corporations and banks.

Labor Movement

A movement of workers that fought for better wages, shorter hours, and safer working conditions.

Social Gospel Movement

A movement focused on the urban poor that applied Christian teachings to social problems to help the poor, children, and workers.

Ida B. Wells

A reformer and muckraker who exposed lynching and racial violence, and fought for racial justice.

Jacob Riis

A muckraker who exposed poverty and poor tenement conditions using photography and writing to encourage reform.

Upton Sinclair

A muckraker who exposed unsafe meatpacking and food conditions; author of The Jungle, which helped inspire consumer protection laws.

Jane Addams

A reformer who helped immigrants and the urban poor, and founded Hull House.

Susan B. Anthony

A reformer who fought for women's suffrage and worked to expand women's voting rights.

Booker T. Washington

A reformer who promoted education, job skills, and economic advancement for African Americans.

W.E.B. DuBois

A reformer who fought for equal rights and higher education, and helped organize the NAACP.

16th Amendment

A progressive amendment that allowed the federal government to collect income taxes.

17th Amendment

A progressive amendment that allowed voters to directly elect senators.

18th Amendment

A progressive amendment that banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol (Prohibition).

19th Amendment

A progressive amendment that gave women the constitutional right to vote (Women's Suffrage).

Interstate Commerce Act (1887)

An 1887 act aimed at regulating railroads and preventing unfair practices.

Sherman Antitrust Act (1890)

An 1890 act aimed at limiting monopolies and trusts.

Clayton Antitrust Act (1914)

A 1914 act aimed at strengthening anti-trust laws and limiting unfair business practices.

Meat Inspection Act (1906)

A 1906 consumer protection act passed to ensure meat was safely processed and inspected.

Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

A 1906 consumer protection act passed to protect consumers from unsafe or falsely labeled food and drugs.

Department of Labor (1913)

A federal government department created in 1913 to promote the welfare of workers and improve working conditions.

Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)

Progressive Era President who focused on 'Regulate' through trust-busting, consumer protection, and conservation.

William Howard Taft (1909-1913)

Progressive Era President who focused on 'Enforce' by continuing anti-trust actions and regulation.

Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)

Progressive Era President who focused on 'Reform' through the Federal Reserve, income tax, and banking and business reforms.

Initiative

A reform where citizens propose a new law by collecting signatures in order to give voters more direct power over laws.

Referendum

A reform where citizens vote to approve or reject a law in order to give voters a direct voice in government decisions.

Recall

A reform where citizens vote to remove an elected official before their term ends in order to hold elected officials accountable.

Secret Ballot

A system where voters privately mark their choices in order to prevent political pressure, intimidation, and corruption.

Pendleton Civil Service Act

An act requiring government jobs to be based on qualifications and exams instead of political connections to reduce the spoils system and political corruption.