Key Figures and Events of the Progressive Era

Henry Demarest Lloyd

Journalist exposing monopolies, notably Standard Oil.

Theodore Dreiser

Novelist critiquing Gilded Age economic inequities.

Florence Kelley

Social reformer advocating for women and children's rights.

National Consumers League

Organization promoting fair labor standards and consumer rights.

Arsene Pujo

Financier linked to exposing the 'money trust'.

Frank Norris

Novelist critiquing monopolistic practices in big business.

Thorstein Veblen

Introduced 'conspicuous consumption' concept in capitalism critique.

Hiram Johnson

Progressive politician advocating for direct democracy reforms.

Charles Evans Hughes

Progressive statesman known for balanced reform approach.

Margaret Dreier Robins

Labor activist improving conditions and wages for women.

David G. Phillips

Muckraker exposing Senate control by bankers and industrialists.

Ida Tarbell

Muckraker revealing Standard Oil's corrupt practices.

Frances Willard

Reformer advocating temperance and women's suffrage.

Richard Ballinger

Secretary of Interior favoring business over conservation.

D.W. Griffith

Silent film director known for controversial 'The Birth of a Nation'.

Sister Carrie

Dreiser's novel highlighting social inequities of the era.

The Financier

Dreiser's work critiquing economic corruption.

The Octopus

Norris's novel critiquing monopolistic practices.

McTeague

Norris's work exploring the consequences of greed.

The Theory of the Leisure Class

Veblen's critique of wealth and consumption.

Women's Trade Union League

Organization promoting women's labor rights.

Ballinger-Pinchot affair

Scandal over conservation policies within the Republican Party.

Ida B. Wells

African American journalist advocating against lynching.

Rule of Reason

Legal doctrine assessing business practices' trade impact.

Muckrakers

Investigative journalists exposing corruption during Progressivism.

Women's Trade Union League

Organization supporting women's labor rights and unions.

Muller v. Oregon

1908 case limiting women's working hours for protection.

Lochner v. New York

1905 case striking down bakers' hours law.

Sierra Club

Environmental organization founded by John Muir in 1892.

Newlands Reclamation Act

1902 law funding irrigation in arid Western lands.

Ballinger-Pinchot Affair

Scandal over public land management during Taft's presidency.

Old Guard

Conservative leaders resisting Progressive Era reforms.

Seamen's Act of 1915

Reform improving conditions for merchant sailors.

Working Men's Compensation Act

Established no-fault compensation for injured workers.

Adamson Act of 1916

Established eight-hour workday for railroad workers.

Australian Ballot

Secret voting system reducing electoral fraud.

Investigative Reporting

Journalism uncovering hidden truths and corruption.

Labor Conditions

Working environment standards affecting worker health and safety.

Civil Rights

Rights ensuring equal treatment and protection under law.

Women's Suffrage

Movement advocating for women's right to vote.

Political Corruption

Abuse of power for personal gain in politics.

Progressive Reforms

Changes aimed at addressing social and political issues.

Corporate Interests

Business entities prioritizing profit over public welfare.

Public Lands

Land owned by the government for public use.

Commission system

Municipal government with elected commissioners sharing powers.

Bully pulpit

President's platform to advocate policies and influence opinion.

Panic of 1907

Financial crisis leading to bank runs and market collapse.

Election of 1912

Key presidential race enabling Wilson's victory over Taft.

Newlands Reclamation Act

1902 law funding irrigation projects in arid West.

Ballinger-Pinchot affair

Scandal over public land mismanagement during Taft's presidency.

Australian ballot

Secret ballot system reducing voter coercion and fraud.

Jacob Riis

Muckraker exposing poor tenement conditions in NYC.

Lincoln Steffens

Journalist revealing political corruption in major cities.

Robert La Follette

Progressive governor advocating for direct primaries and reforms.

Florence Kelley

Labor rights advocate focused on child labor and consumer protections.

John Muir

Naturalist who helped create national parks and preserve wilderness.

Gifford Pinchot

First head of U.S. Forest Service, conservation advocate.

Progressive reforms

Changes aimed at curbing corruption and improving society.

Theodore Roosevelt

President known for progressive reforms and conservation efforts.

Federal Reserve

Central banking system established after Panic of 1907.

Direct primary

Election allowing voters to select party candidates directly.

Sierra Club

Environmental organization founded by John Muir.

National Consumers League

Advocacy group for consumer rights and labor laws.

Muckrakers

Journalists exposing societal issues and corruption.

Wisconsin Idea

Progressive approach promoting government efficiency and expertise.

Labor laws

Regulations aimed at improving workers' rights and conditions.

Wise Use

Sustainable conservation of natural resources advocated by Roosevelt.

Louis Brandeis

Progressive lawyer and Supreme Court justice (1916-1939).

Brandeis Brief

Legal argument using social science in Muller v. Oregon.

Margaret Sanger

Birth control advocate and founder of Planned Parenthood.

Eugene V. Debs

Socialist leader and five-time presidential candidate.

Industrial Workers of the World

Labor organization co-founded by Eugene V. Debs.

D.W. Griffith

Filmmaker known for controversial The Birth of a Nation.

David Phillips

Muckraking journalist exposing Senate corruption in 1906.

The Treason of the Senate

Phillips' work leading to the 17th Amendment.

Alice Paul

Militant suffrage activist and founder of NWP.

National Woman's Party

Organization founded by Alice Paul for women's suffrage.

Carrie Chapman Catt

Leader of NAWSA and strategist for women's suffrage.

Winning Plan

Catt's strategy to secure the 19th Amendment's passage.

Initiative

Citizen-driven process to propose and vote on laws.

Referendum

Public vote to approve or reject legislative laws.

Recall

Voter procedure to remove elected officials before term ends.

Direct Primary

Voter selection of candidates, reducing political machine control.

16th Amendment

Allowed federal income tax, funding progressive reforms.

17th Amendment

Established direct election of U.S. Senators by voters.

18th Amendment

Prohibited alcohol manufacture, launching Prohibition.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote in 1920.

Conservation

Responsible management of natural resources for sustainability.

Elkins Act

Banned railroad rebates, ensuring fair rates for customers.

Hepburn Act

Empowered ICC to set maximum railroad rates.

Northern Securities case

Supreme Court case breaking up railroad monopoly.

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

Tragic fire leading to improved labor laws.

Meat Inspection Act

Required federal inspection of meatpacking plants.

Pure Food and Drug Act

Prohibited sale of mislabeled food and drugs.

New Nationalism

Roosevelt's platform for strong federal regulation.

New Freedom

Wilson's platform emphasizing small businesses and competition.

Bull-Moose Party

Progressive Party founded by Roosevelt in 1912.

Underwood Tariff Bill

Lowered tariffs and introduced graduated income tax.

Federal Reserve Act

Established central banking system to regulate currency.

Clayton Anti-Trust Act

Strengthened antitrust laws and protected labor unions.