Progressive Movement and American History

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the Progressive Movement, American imperialism, world events during WWI, the Great Depression, and the New Deal.

Progressive Era

A period in American history (1890s-1920s) characterized by social activism and political reform in response to problems caused by industrialization and urbanization.

Muckrakers

Investigative writers and journalists who exposed corruption and societal issues, advocating for reform during the Progressive Era.

Prohibition

A nationwide ban on the manufacturing, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages, established by the 18th Amendment.

Ida Tarbell

A prominent muckraker known for exposing the corrupt practices of the Standard Oil Company through her investigative journalism.

The Jungle

A novel by Upton Sinclair that exposed the horrific conditions in the meatpacking industry and prompted reforms such as the Meat Inspection Act.

Meat Inspection Act

A federal law mandating sanitary conditions and proper labeling in the meatpacking industry.

Pure Food and Drug Act

Legislation that prohibited the interstate sale of misbranded or adulterated foods and drugs, leading to the establishment of the FDA.

Women's Suffrage Movement

A campaign aimed at securing women's right to vote, culminating in the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Theodore Roosevelt

The 26th president of the U.S. (1901-1909) known for trust-busting and instituting significant progressive reforms.

Clayton Antitrust Act

A law that strengthened antitrust protections and exempted labor unions from being prosecuted as monopolies.

The Great Migration

The movement of hundreds of thousands of African Americans from the rural South to urban North during and after World War I.

Red Scare

A period of intense fear of communism and radical leftism in the U.S., particularly during the post-World War I era.

New Deal

A series of programs and reforms implemented by FDR in response to the Great Depression aimed at relief, recovery, and reform.

Bank Holiday

A period during which all U.S. banks were closed to prevent bank runs and allow for reforms to stabilize the banking system.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural movement in the 1920s characterized by a flowering of African American literature, art, and music.

Schenck v. United States

A Supreme Court case that upheld the government's right to limit free speech during wartime if the speech posed a 'clear and present danger.'

Victory Gardens

Private gardens cultivated by citizens during wartime to increase food production and support the war effort.

Isolationism

A foreign policy approach characterized by reluctance to engage in international alliances or conflicts.

Lend-Lease Act

A U.S. policy during WWII allowing the supply of war materials to allies without direct involvement in the conflict.

Dust Bowl

A period of severe dust storms in the 1930s, exacerbated by drought and poor farming practices, leading to significant agricultural failure.

Bonus Army

A group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington, D.C. in 1932 demanding early payment of their bonuses.

Trickle-Down Economics

An economic theory suggesting that benefits for the wealthy will eventually benefit the broader population through job creation and investment.

Civilian Conservation Corps

A public work relief program during the New Deal that employed young men in environmental conservation projects.

Committee on Public Information

A U.S. government agency created during WWI to influence public opinion and promote support for the war effort.