Progressive Era written questions

Describe what the purpose of the AFL and IWW were.

The AFL worked to improve privileged workers’ wages, hours, and working conditions through organized labor unions (skilled laborers and white males born in the U.S.) The IWW wanted to unite unskilled workers, immigrants, women, African Americans, and Chinese Americans into one large union and fight for greater rights and better treatment for workers.

Compare and contrast New Freedom and New Nationalism.

Both New Freedom and New Nationalism wanted to address unfairness caused by big businesses, but Wilson’s New Freedom focused on limiting government intervention in businesses; they supported workers’ right to unionize; and wanted to strengthen antitrust laws; they also supported small businesses. Roosevelt’s New Nationalism focused on using the federal government to regulate big businesses through higher taxes, industry regulations, and protecting the oppressed, which strengthens its overall power.

Pick one of the laws passed under Woodrow Wilson (Underwood Tariff, Clayton Act of 1914, Keating-Owen Act, Adamson Act, Warehouse Act). Explain what it was and why you think it was important.

The Clayton Act of 1914 strengthened antitrust laws and made it harder for businesses to create monopolies. I think it was important because it helped protect small businesses and workers from the power of large corporations.

what should you do if life hands you eggs?

make an omelette.