Unit 2 Progressive Era Study Guide

What was Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt best known for during the Progressive Era?

Trust buster, conservationist, pushed Progressive reforms, created the “Square Deal”

What was Ida Tarbell best known for during the Progressive Era?

Wrote the History of Standard Oil company (exposed Rockefeller’s monopolies and unfair tactics)

What was Upton Sinclair best known for during the Progressive Era?

Wrote The Jungle (exposed unsafe working conditions and unsanitary meatpacking practices)

What was Ida B. Wells best known for during the Progressive Era?

Journalist and reformer who fought against lynching and for African American and women’s rights

What was Susan B. Anthony best known for during the Progressive Era?

Leader of the women’s suffrage movement, worked for women’s right to vote

What was Jane Addams best known for during the Progressive Era?

Founded Hull House, helped immigrants and the poor, supported social reform

What was W.E.B. DuBois best known for during the Progressive Era?

Co-founder of the NAACP, demanded immediate civil rights and higher education for African Americans

What was Robert La Follette best known for during the Progressive Era?

Progressive governor of Wisconsin, pushed direct primates, tax reform, and railroad regulation (“Wisconsin idea”)

What is the Progressive Era in response to? What did it bring an end to?

The rapid industrialization, urbanization, and political corruption of the Gilded Age, which caused economic inequality, unsafe working conditions, and poverty

What was included in the Populist Party’s platform?

Graduated tax, direct election of senators government control of railroads, banking reform, and support for farmers and workers

What was the role of muckrakers during this time period?

Journalist who exposed corruption, social problems, and unfair business practices

What were some of the goals of Progressive reformers?

Expand democracy, regulate big business, improve working conditions, end corruption, promote social welfare

What was Theodore Roosevelt’s “Square Deal”?

Fairness for labor, business, consumers, and protection of the environment

Election Reforms

(Initiative, Referendum, Recall)

Cause: Progressive Era push to give citizens more power in government

Effects: Increased voter participation and direct democracy

Jim Crow Laws

Cause: Legalized segregation after Reconstruction

Effects: Enforced racial inequality and limited African American rights

Grandfather Clauses

Cause: To prevent African Americans from voting while protectionist poor white voters

Effects: Disenfranchised Black citizens

Pure Food & Drug Act of 1906

Cause: Public outcry over unsafe food and medicine (inspired by The Jungle)

Effects: Required labeling, inspections, and safer consumer products

Creation of the National Park Service

Cause: Desire to protect natural resources and landmarks

Effects: Preserved land for public use and conservation

16th Amendment

What it changed: Allowed federal income tax

Limit or Expand the Power of Government: Expand

17th Amendment

What it changed: Directed election of senators by the people

Limit or Expand the Power of Government: Expanded

18th Amendment

What it changed: Prohibition of alcohol

Limit or Expand the Power of Government: Expanded

Why is the 1912 Presidential Election historically significant?

Split in Republican party (Roosevelt vs. Taft) helped Wilson win; showed rise of Progressive ideas

Why is the 1920 Presidential Election historically significant?

First election women could vote in, Harding “return to Normalcy” after WWI

Why is the Supreme Court Decision: Plessy V. Ferguson

Upheld “separate but equal”, legalized segregation until Brown V. Board (1954)

How was the Progressive Era a “response to industrialism”? Describe two examples.

Labor laws were created to limit child labor and improve workplace safety. The pure food and drug act was passed to protect consumers from unsafe products

What was Ida B. Wells’s purpose in her activism, and what impact did her work have on the United States?

She fought against lynching, racism, and injustice, raising awareness of violence toward African Americans. Her writings and activism helped inspire the civil rights movement and challenged segregation

What is one way the Populist or Progressive Party impacted U.S. elections or policies, and how did that impact shape American society?

The Progressive party pushed for direct election of senators (17th amendment). It reduced corruption, gave citizens more power in government, and expanded democracy

19th amendment

What it changed: Gave women the right vote

Limit or Expand the power of government: Expanded