Isabel's social studies unit 5 quiz

What is the progressive movement?

Early 20th century effort addressing injustice, big business, and corruption. Not the 1st group to challenge these issues; reformed efforts date back to the 1870’s

How was Industrialization, post civil war transformed American society?

• Brought progress and wealth

• But many felt left behind (“have-nots”)

Who founded the national grange?

Oliver Kelley in 1867

What is the national grange?

Aimed to help farmers; started as self-help clubs. Gained political power by the mid 1870’s.

What are farmers grievances?

• caught between rising costs and falling crop prices

• Difficulty securing cash loans from banks

• High fees from grain storage companies and railroads

• Merchants paid too little for farmers products

What actions were taken in the national grange?

• Used national grange to protest unfair railroad practices

• Formed groups to discuss better prices and establish banks

• Campaigned for reforms such as income tax and laws against trusts.

What were the achievements of the national grange?

• Pressured states to pass laws limiting shipping rate and storage prices

• Supreme court sided with the grangers in 1877, affirming states rights to control private property for pubic interests

• Victory for the national grange highlighted the governments role in protecting the public

• Decline in membership during the 1880’s as conditions improved for the midwestern farmers

• Farmers revolt continued the south and west with emergence of famers alliance.

• Farmers alliance

What happened in the affordability in products?

• New industries produced many goods that ordinary Americans could buy

• Carnegie highlighted the luxuries of the past became everyday necessities for working class families

What are the benefits of big business?

• Growth of big business made progress possible

• Large enterprises can deliver quality goods at affordable prices

• (Carnegies view)Cheapness of goods increases with the scale of production

• Large operations lead to cheaper products!!

• Growth should be seen as beneficial for the millions of poor, not just the rich

• Low unemployment

What is law of competition?

• Growth of big business results from competition

• Efficient companies grow larger; poorly run ones fail

• Carnegies idea borrowed from Charles Darwin

• Competition = Survival (aka survival of the fittest!!!)

What is social Darwinism?

• Applied Darwin’s ideas to human society

• Fittest individuals/societies become wealthy and successful

• Justifies wealth differences and supports laissez-fair economics

What is laissez-faire economics?

• Business should operate with minimal government interference

• Government intervention in issues like child labor is seen as misguided

What is giving away wealth?

In 1901, Carnegie sild his steel company for 250 million dollars and focused on philanthropy. Believed wealthy people should help others. Also donated to build libraries, universities, and hospitals.

What were Rockefellers contributions?

• Contributed to universities, medical research, and the arts!

• Donated about 182 million dollars to the Rockefeller foundation for humanitarian efforts

Many people criticized big businesses for taking advantage of workers and consumers. In 1890, congress passed this act to make business monopolies illegal???

The Sherman Antitrust Act!

Why was the Sherman antitrust act not enforced?

Due to its vagueness and the power of big businesses

When did Sherman Antitrust Act start?

After Theodore Roosevelt became president in 1901

Who was Roosevelts first target in breaking the railroad trust?

His first target was the Northern Securities Company! Roosevelt was a reformer and actively targeted big business monopolies and wanted these corporations to serve the public good. Roosevelt directed the justice department to sue Northern Securities Company for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act!!!!

What did Ida Tarbell publish?

A report in McClures Magazine about the standard oil trust. (After the northern securities case)

What did Tarbell reveal in the report?

How John D. Rockefeller used secret deals with railroads to undercut competitors and drive them out of business. Once competitors were gone Rockefeller raised prices!!!!

How did the public and Roosevelt react to Rockefeller secret deals and raising prices?

The public reacted strongly and demanded action against monopolies. And Roosevelt filed lawsuits against standard oil and 44 other trusts. In 1911, standard oil was broken up into 5 major companies and several smaller ones.

What did Roosevelt believe in?

Roosevelt believed in government regulation as a solution to prevent bad business practices. He emphasized that increased government supervision was necessary alongside the growth of industrialism.

How did competition among companies benefited the consumer?

• Lower costs and cheaper goods

• Better quality

Advocate

To support an interest or a cause

Conservation

Preservation and protection of a natural resource to prevent overuse, destruction, or neglect.

Dictate

To control, or order how something should be done

National Grange

An agricultural organization formed in 1867 and committed to the economic and political interests of farmers.

Platform

A statement of the policies favored by a political party or candidate.

Populist Party

A political party organized in 1892 by leaders of the farmers alliance. That supported such reforms as an eight-hour workday and government owned railroads.

Progressive Movement

A social and political movement in the early 1900’s that focused on improving conditions in American life.

Radical

Relating to or supporting extreme change.

Regulation

The enforcement of laws that control conduct or practices.

Social Darwinism

The theory that people and societies compete for survival, with the fit becoming wealthy and successful while the weak struggle to survive.

Suffrage

The right to vote

Vague

Not clearly defined