Progressive Era Notes

Terrific flux

A state of rapid change or instability in society, as described by Jack London in "The Iron Heel".

Corporate oligarchy

A form of power structure in which a small number of companies or individuals control a country or organization.

Gilded Age

The period in American history marked by rapid economic growth but also significant social issues, including wealth disparity.

Progressive Era

A period of social activism and political reform in the United States from the 1890s to the 1920s.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire

A disastrous fire in 1911 that killed 146 workers and led to labor reforms regarding workplace safety.

Muckrakers

Journalists who exposed corruption and poor conditions in society during the Progressive Era.

The social gospel movement

A religious movement that called for Christians to engage with social issues and advocate for societal salvation.

Antisweatshop legislation

Laws aimed at improving working conditions in factories, especially for women and children.

Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)

An organization founded in 1874 aimed at combating issues associated with alcohol consumption.

Hepburn Act

A 1906 law that empowered the Interstate Commerce Commission to set railroad rates.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

A 1890 law aimed at preventing monopolies and fostering competition.

Clayton Anti-Trust Act

A 1914 law that strengthened earlier antitrust laws and protected labor rights.

Separate but equal doctrine

A legal doctrine that justified racial segregation under the premise that separate facilities could be equal.

Ida B. Wells

An early civil rights leader who fought against lynching and advocated for anti-lynching legislation.

Booker T. Washington

An African American educator and leader who promoted industrial education and self-help among Black Americans.

W. E. B. Du Bois

An African American scholar and activist who advocated for civil rights and opposed Booker T. Washington's conciliatory approach.

Hull House

A settlement house founded by Jane Addams that provided services and support to immigrants and the poor in Chicago.

Grandfather clauses

Laws that allowed individuals to bypass literacy tests and poll taxes if their grandfathers had been eligible to vote before the Civil War.

Mississippi's Democratic Party

Implemented restrictive laws to disenfranchise Black voters, including literacy tests and poll taxes.

Lacey Act of 1900

Legislation aimed at protecting wildlife, specifically banning the trade of illegally taken animals.

Environmental preservation vs. conservation

The debate between maintaining natural areas in their pristine state versus managing resources for public use.

Electoral disenfranchisement

The practice of restricting voting rights from specific groups, particularly African Americans in the South.

Plessy v. Ferguson

The 1896 Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Robert La Follette

A prominent Progressive leader and governor of Wisconsin known for his reforms.

Fifteenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment that prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race.

Social crime

Actions that harm society, particularly in the context of labor exploitation and urban poverty.

New Freedom agenda

Woodrow Wilson's economic policy that emphasized banking reform, tariff reductions, and antitrust legislation.

Hetch Hetchy Valley debate

Dispute between preservationists and conservationists over damming the valley for water supply.

Jane Addams's philosophy

Belief in solidarity among all people, emphasizing community, safety, and social justice.

Frances Willard

A leader in the Women's Christian Temperance Union who expanded its agenda to include various social issues.

Suffragists

Activists advocating for women's right to vote, linking suffrage to broader reform movements.

NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, founded to advocate for civil rights and combat racial discrimination.

The Crisis

A prominent magazine founded and edited by W. E. B. Du Bois that focused on African American culture and civil rights issues.

Interstate Commerce Commission

A regulatory agency established to oversee railroad practices and prevent discrimination.

Social Darwinism

A social theory that justified social inequality and racism, believing that survival of the fittest applied to society.

Labor unions

Organizations of workers formed to protect their rights and interests, often through collective bargaining.

Pacifism

The belief in resolving disputes without violence and advocating for peace, exemplified by Jane Addams.

Environmental reform

Movement focused on addressing environmental issues caused by industrialization and advocating for conservation.

Lynching

The extrajudicial killing of individuals, often associated with racial violence against African Americans.

Color-blind Constitution

The idea that the Constitution should be interpreted without consideration of race.

Americanization

The process of assimilating immigrants into American culture, often leading to the loss of their original identities.

Robber barons

Business magnates who exploited workers and resources for massive profit during the Gilded Age.

Settlement houses

Community centers that provided services to the urban poor, focusing on education, health, and welfare.

Newer Ideals of Peace

A publication by Jane Addams discussing her views on peace and social reform.

Electoral fraud

Illegal interference with the process of an election, often targeting minority voters.

Labor rights

The rights of workers to fair wages, safe working conditions, and the ability to organize.

Assimilation

The process by which individuals or groups adopt the culture of another group, often losing their original identity.

Prohibition

The nationwide ban on alcohol production, importation, and sale in the United States, enforced by the Eighteenth Amendment.

The Woman's Trade Union League (WTUL)

A labor organization formed to advocate for the rights of women workers and push for labor reforms.

Suffrage movement

The struggle for the right of women to vote, gaining momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Public health reform

Efforts to improve health standards and sanitation in urban environments, often led by women reformers.

Meat Inspection Act of 1906

Legislation passed to ensure sanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry following Upton Sinclair's revelations.

Pure Food and Drug Act

A 1906 law aimed at regulating food safety and ensuring truthful labeling of food and drugs.

Aesthetic Value of Nature

The appreciation of natural beauty and the belief that preserving it is essential for cultural and spiritual fulfillment.

Women’s activism

The participation of women in social and political movements, emphasizing their role in fighting for rights and reforms.

Labor-capital conflicts

Struggles between workers seeking better conditions and employers prioritizing profits.

Liberal Feminism

A branch of feminism advocating for women's rights and equality through legal reforms and policy changes.

Political radicalism

The advocacy for fundamental political change often associated with the Progressive and reform movements.

Civil Rights Movement

A struggle for social justice aimed at ending racial discrimination and securing equal rights for African Americans.

Industrialization

The process of developing industries in a country or region, leading to urbanization and economic growth.

Systemic racism

A form of racism that is embedded in the policies and systems of society, affecting multiple aspects of life.

Reform politics

Political actions aimed at improving social conditions and addressing injustices through legislation and activism.

Philanthropy

The desire to promote the welfare of others, often quantified through charitable donations and social initiatives.

Civic engagement

The participation of citizens in political and community life to promote social change and influence governance.

Urban reform

Efforts to address challenges faced by cities, including poverty, sanitation, and housing.

Racial segregation

The enforced separation of racial groups in public spaces and institutions, aimed at maintaining white supremacy.

Environmental degradation

The deterioration of the environment through the depletion of resources and destruction of ecosystems.

Womens' clubs

Social organizations formed by women focusing on intellectual development and community service.

Liberalism

A political philosophy centered on individual rights and freedoms, promoting social justice and equality.

Collective action

Efforts undertaken by a group to achieve a common goal, often seen in social movements.

Transnational activism

Efforts that cross national boundaries to address global issues, often focusing on human rights and environmental justice.