Progressive Era

Progressives

Reformers who emerged in response to the social, political, and economic problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, and political corruption in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Progressive Philosophy

The belief that government intervention was necessary to address the negative effects of industrial capitalism and to promote social justice and efficiency.

Pragmatism

A philosophy arguing that ideas and policies should be judged by their practical effects, which justified Progressive experimentation with government reform.

Scientific Management

A system developed by Frederick Taylor that sought to increase industrial efficiency through scientific study of labor, reflecting Progressive faith in expertise and efficiency.

Muckrakers

Investigative journalists whose exposure of corruption and social injustice caused public outrage and increased support for Progressive reforms.

Henry Demarest Lloyd

Journalist whose criticism of monopolies contributed to growing public support for antitrust regulation.

Ida Tarbell

Journalist whose exposé of Standard Oil revealed abusive business practices, strengthening the case for trust-busting.

Jacob Riis

Photographer and journalist whose work exposed urban poverty, leading to support for housing and sanitation reforms.

Decline of muckraking

Occurred as magazines shifted focus and reform momentum slowed, reducing public pressure for Progressive legislation.

Secret Ballot

Reform designed to reduce voter intimidation and corruption by making voting private, strengthening democratic participation.

Direct Primaries

Reform that allowed voters to choose party nominees directly, weakening political machines’ control over elections.

Robert La Follette

Progressive governor of Wisconsin whose reforms expanded democracy and regulated corporations, influencing national Progressive policy.

17th Amendment

Established direct election of U.S. senators, reducing corruption caused by state legislative selection.

Municipal Reform

Local government changes aimed at reducing corruption and improving efficiency in response to urban political machines.

Public Utilities

Essential services regulated by government to prevent corporate abuse and protect consumers.

Commission Plan

A city government system created after the Galveston hurricane to improve efficiency by placing authority in expert commissioners.

Prohibition

Reform movement driven by Progressive concerns about morality and social order, culminating in the 18th Amendment.

National Child Labor Committee

Organization that exposed child labor abuses, increasing support for child labor laws.

National Consumers’ League

Reform group that advocated for consumer protection and labor standards, influencing Progressive legislation.

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

Factory disaster that caused public outrage and led to workplace safety and labor reforms.

Theodore Roosevelt

Progressive president whose belief in a strong executive role expanded federal regulation of business.

Square Deal

Roosevelt’s domestic program aimed at balancing the interests of consumers, labor, and business.

Trust-Busting

Government action against monopolies intended to curb corporate power and protect competition.

Railroad Regulation

Expanded federal oversight to address abuses that harmed farmers and consumers.

Consumer Protection (FDA and Meat Inspection Act)

Laws passed in response to muckraker exposés, increasing government regulation of food and drugs.

Conservation

Federal efforts to preserve natural resources, reflecting Progressive concern over industrial exploitation.

William Howard Taft

Roosevelt’s successor whose inconsistent Progressivism contributed to divisions within the Republican Party.

Mann-Elkins Act

Law that expanded the power of the ICC, strengthening federal regulation of railroads and communication industries.

16th Amendment

Authorized a federal income tax, providing revenue for expanded government reform efforts.

Split in the Republican Party

Resulted from disagreements over Progressivism, weakening the party and enabling Democratic victory in 1912.

Rise of the Socialist Party

Reflected worker dissatisfaction with capitalism and the perceived limits of Progressive reform.

Election of 1912

Demonstrated widespread support for reform as Progressive and Democratic candidates dominated the political landscape.

Woodrow Wilson

Progressive president who emphasized antitrust action and economic competition through the New Freedom program.

Underwood Tariff

Lowered tariff rates to reduce consumer prices and increase competition.

Federal Reserve Act

Created a central banking system to stabilize the economy and prevent financial panics.

Clayton Antitrust Act

Strengthened antitrust laws while protecting labor unions from being prosecuted as trusts.

Child Labor Act

Attempted to restrict child labor in response to reform pressure, though later ruled unconstitutional.

Racial Segregation (Wilson)

Expansion of segregation in federal offices, demonstrating the limitations of Progressive reform.

Booker T. Washington

Advocated vocational education and gradual economic advancement as a response to racial discrimination.

W.E.B. Du Bois

Argued for immediate civil rights and political action to achieve racial equality.

NAACP

Organization founded to challenge racial discrimination through legal action and court cases.

National Urban League

Organization that focused on improving economic opportunities and social conditions for African Americans in urban areas.

Carrie Chapman Catt / NAWSA

Organization and leader that used a state-by-state strategy to build support for women’s suffrage.

Alice Paul / NWP

Employed militant tactics to pressure the federal government to grant women the right to vote.

Nineteenth Amendment

Granted women the right to vote as a result of sustained suffrage activism.

Margaret Sanger

Birth control advocate whose work reflected Progressive concerns about public health and women’s rights.