Ch. 8 - The Progressive Era

Progressivism

movement that responded to the pressures of industrialization and urbanization by promoting reforms

Muckraker

writer who uncovers and exposes misconduct in politics or business

Social gospel

reform movement that emerged in the late 19th century to improve society by applying Christian principles

Settlement house

community center organized at the turn of the twentieth century to provide services to the urban poor

Direct primary

election in which citizens themselves vote to select nominees for upcoming elections

Initiative

process in which citizens put a proposed new law directly on the ballot

Recall

process by which voters can remove elected officials from office before their terms end

Temperance movement

movement aimed at stopping alcohol abuse and the problems created by it

Suffrage

the right to vote

Nineteenth Amendment

change to the Constitution that gave women the right to vote

Americanization

belief that assimilating immigrants into American society would make them more loyal citizens

Booker T. Washington

African-American leader who pushed for economic improvements for blacks, accepted limitations on the rights of blacks, and called for gradual changes in American race relations

W.E.B. Du Bois

African-American leader who pushed for the immediate recognition of voting and other legal rights for blacks

NAACP

Interracial group founded in 1909 to abolish segregation and discrimination and to achieve political and civil rights for African Americans

Anti-Defamation League

Organization formed in 1913 to defend Jews against violence, verbal attacks, and false statements

Theodore Roosevelt

President from 1901 to 1909

William Howard Taft

President from 1909 to 1913

Progressive Party

Political party established in 1912 as a result of the battle between Theodore Roosevelt and William Taft

Woodrow Wilson

President from 1913 to 1921

Sixteenth Amendment

Amendment to the Constitution that gave Congress the authority to levy an income tax

Federal Reserve Act

Law that created a system of national banks and a governing body which sets interest rates and supervises commercial banks

Peonage

the practice of making a debtor work for his creditor until the debt is paid

Spoils System

the practice of a successful political party giving public office to its supporters

civil service

the group of people whose job it is to carry out the work of the government

Pendleton Civil Service Act

1883 law that did away with the "spoils system" and made the hiring of federal employees merit based.