Progressivism & the West

Progressivism

A movement that aimed to restore economic opportunities and correct injustice to American life. PROGRESS, REFORM, IMPROVEMENT.

4 Goals of Progressivism

1. Protecting social welfare

2. Promoting moral improvement (prohibition

3. Creating economic reform (breaking up trusts)

4. fostering efficiency (assembly line)

What led to the Progressive Era?

Long hours, poor working conditions, awful living conditions, and unfair pay of the Industrial era

Political Machine

An organized group that controls a political party in a city and offers services to voters and businesses in exchange for political and financial support.

Political graft

Illegal use of political influence for personal gain

Eighteenth Amendment

Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages

Seventeenth Amendment

Allowed the direct election of senators. This was a way to improve the political problems of the Industrial Age.

Patronage

Granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support. This was attacked during the Progressive Era.

The Square Deal

Theodore Roosevelt's promise of fair and equal treatment for all in the Progressive Era.

The Three C's

control of corporations, consumer protection, conservation of natural resources

Control of Corporations

One of the 3 Cs of Roosevelt's "Square Deal." The Sherman Anti-trust Act and Interstate Commerce Commission/Hepburn Act were used to regulate business and break up monopolistic trusts.

Conservation of Natural Resources

Roosevelt set aside area the size of Germany as national forest, made five new national parks, and 18 new national monuments

Consumer Protection

Deals with safety features and product labeling standards that protect the consumer. This happened as a result of the meat packing industry and Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle."

Prohibition

A law forbidding the sale of alcoholic beverages

"The Jungle"

This 1906 work by Upton Sinclair pointed out the abuses of the meat packing industry. The book led to the passage of the 1906 Meat Inspection Act.

The Homestead Act

A landmark 1862 law that provided settlers with 160 acres of public land for a small fee, aiming to encourage westward expansion and agricultural development.

Assimilation

The process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the customs, values, and behaviors of another culture, often resulting in a loss of original cultural identity.

Americanization

“Americanizing” western indigenous populations so they resemble American citizens.