Unit 2: The Progressive Era - Vocab List

Progressives

People who advocated for social, political, and economic reforms to address and fix problems from the Gilded Age

Suffrage

Gaining the right to vote

Advocate

To support

Third Party

Any political party that is neither Democrat or Republican

Platform

Any outline of a political party’s goals, principles, + position on a country’s issues

Senator

Elected official that serves in Congress; 2 are elected from each state

Income Tax

Government imposed tax based on a person’s income

Conservation

To efficiently use land or natural resources; the protection and preservation of natural resources, land, and ecosystems

Government regulation

Rule put in place to protect the public, in the form of a law

Reform

To make changes to something to improve it

Amendment

Formal changes/additions made to the U.S. Constitution

Tariff

A tax on imports and/or exports

Electoral college

Process used to elect the president of the U.S., in which 270 votes are needed for a candidate to win the presidency

Ratify

To make officially valid

1906

The Jungle is published by Upton Sinclair (Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food & Drug Act)

1913

The 16th Amendment allows Congress to impose a Federal income tax (increase power of federal government)

1919

Prohibition (the 18th Amendment) passed making alcohol illegal (increase power of federal government)

1920

The 19th Amendment gives women the right to vote (increase in democracy)