D

Grange

An organization of farmers founded in the 1860s to promote economic and political reforms.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

A 1890 federal law aimed at breaking up monopolies and trusts that restricted competition.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877

A nationwide strike by railroad workers protesting wage cuts and working conditions.

Knights of Labor

A labor organization founded in 1869 advocating for broad social reforms.

Haymarket Affair (1886)

A labor rally in Chicago that turned violent, leading to increased anti-union sentiment.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

A national labor organization founded in 1886 focused on skilled workers' rights.

Henry George / Progress and Poverty

A 1879 book advocating for a single tax on land to reduce inequality.

Edward Bellamy / Looking Backward

A 1888 utopian novel envisioning a future society of economic equality.

Homestead Strike (1892)

A violent strike at Carnegie Steel protesting wage cuts and poor working conditions.

Pullman Strike (1894)

A nationwide strike initiated by Pullman workers protesting wage cuts.

Eugene Debs

Leader of the American Railway Union and key figure in the Pullman Strike.

William Jennings Bryan & 'Cross of Gold'

Bryan's 1896 speech advocating for free silver to aid struggling farmers.

Ida Tarbell

A muckraker journalist who exposed corrupt practices of Standard Oil.

Jacob Riis

A journalist whose work exposed the lives of the urban poor and led to reforms.

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

A 1911 fire in a New York garment factory that killed 146 workers.

Sweatshops

Factories with long hours and low wages often employing women and children.

Tom Pendergast

A political boss in Kansas City known for controlling local politics.

Strikebreakers

Workers hired to replace those on strike, often causing violence.

Separate Spheres

The idea that men and women had distinct, separate roles in society.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman

A feminist known for advocating women’s economic independence.

Margaret Sanger

A pioneer for birth control and women's reproductive rights.

Emma Goldman

An anarchist advocating for workers' rights and women's rights.

Jane Addams & Hull House

Addams founded Hull House to provide social services to immigrants.

Upton Sinclair / The Jungle

A novel exposing unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry.

Municipal Reform

Efforts to reduce corruption in city governments through various reforms.

17th Amendment

An amendment establishing the direct election of U.S. Senators.

19th Amendment

The amendment granting women the right to vote in 1920.

Robert La Follette

Progressive governor known for political reforms and direct primaries.

Ida B. Wells

A journalist and anti-lynching activist fighting for civil rights.

'Square Deal'

Theodore Roosevelt’s program focused on fairness for all Americans.

Pure Food and Drug Act

A 1906 law ensuring food and medicine safety through federal regulations.

Meat Inspection Act

A 1906 law requiring federal inspection of meatpacking plants.

Bull Moose Party

The third-party movement led by Roosevelt focused on progressive reforms.

Election of 1912

The presidential election where Wilson won after the Republican split.

Great Strike of 1877

A nationwide strike caused by wage cuts and ended with federal intervention.

Knights of Labor

A labor organization advocating for workers regardless of race or skill.

Samuel Gompers & the AFL

The first president of the AFL advocating for skilled workers' rights.

Homestead Strike (1892)

A violent dispute over wage cuts at Carnegie's steel plant.

Haywood & the IWW

A radical organization advocating for worker-run industries planning.

Pullman Strike (1894)

A nationwide strike protesting wage cuts and rent in Pullman housing.

Eugene Debs

A prominent socialist leader and key figure in the Pullman Strike.

Jacob Riis

A muckraker whose photography exposed poor living conditions.

Upton Sinclair / The Jungle

A book exposing meatpacking industry conditions leading to food safety laws.

Edward Bellamy / Looking Backward

A utopian vision of a peaceful, cooperative society published in 1888.

Thorstein Veblen

An economist critiquing capitalism in The Theory of the Leisure Class.

Horatio Alger

An author of rags-to-riches stories emphasizing the American Dream.

William McKinley

The 25th president who favored protective tariffs and imperialism.

Theodore Roosevelt & 'Square Deal'

Roosevelt’s program aimed at conservation and consumer protection.

Theodore Roosevelt & 'New Nationalism'

Roosevelt’s 1912 platform calling for strong government regulation of business.

William Taft & 'Dollar Diplomacy'

Taft's policy encouraging American investment to expand influence.

Government Reform Acts

Reforms aimed at increasing accountability and reducing corruption in government.

State Party & Senate Reform / La Follette

Progressive reforms promoting transparency and direct voter engagement.

Weakening of Party Bosses / Direct Primary, 17th Amendment

Reforms reducing power of political machines and increasing voter influence.

Immigration

The movement of millions to the U.S. leading to labor competition and reforms.

America and Empire

The period of U.S. imperial expansion following the Spanish-American War.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized reporting used to increase newspaper circulation.