Chapter 16- Social Studies

Industrial Capitalism

System in which trade and industries are privately owned and operated for a profit.

Laissez-Faire Capitalism

The idea that the government should not interfere with business.

Monopoly

A company that controls most or all of the business in one industry. Ex: Standard Oil.

Political Machines

Controlled city governments, often corrupt.

Farmers Alliance

An organized agrarian economic group of farmers that sought to end harmful effects facing farmers governments regulation of railroads.

Populist Party

Represented farmers, laborers, and factory workers against bankers and railroads.

Progressive movement

Workers/middle class trying to fix the wrong doings of the industrial revolution.

Muckrakers

Investigative reporters who exposed the abuse of industrial society and government corruption- dug up dirt on people.

Settlement house

An all purpose community center for the poor. Provided child care, nursing services, and English lessons to immigrants.

Recall

Elected officials could be removed from office by voters in special elections.

Initiative

Voters could directly introduce bills and vote on them- helped fight political corruption.

Referendum

Voters could persuade legislators to place a bill on the ballot for approval.

Secret ballot

Voters were less intimidated when they could vote in secret.

Direct election of senators

Senators elected directly by the people (17th amendment).

Pendleton act

Positions within federal government should be awarded on the bases of merit instead of political affiliation.

Pure food and Drug act

Law passed by Congress in 1906 which halted the sale of contaminated foods and medicines and called for truth in labeling.

Meat inspection act

Law passed by Congress in 1906 which dictated strict cleanliness requirements for me at packers and created the program of federal meat inspection.

“The Jungle”

 Book written by Upton Sinclair exposed the awful conditions of the Chicago meat packing industry.

18th Amendment

Prohibition, banning the sale of alcoholic drinks.

19th Amendment

Women suffrage, women own the right to vote.