APUSH SSSS

John Dewey

Progressive educator and philosopher who promoted “learning by doing,” believing schools should teach democratic values and practical life skills, not just memorization

Scientific Management

A system developed by Frederick W. Taylor that applied science to increase workplace efficiency

Muckrakers

Journalists who exposed corruption, inequality, and social injustices, helping spark public demand for reform during the Progressive Era

Henry Demarest Lloyd

Early muckraker who attacked monopolies in Wealth Against Commonwealth (1894), criticizing Standard Oil’s power

Ida Tarbell

Muckraker who exposed Standard Oil’s unfair business practices in The History of the Standard Oil Company (1904), fueling antitrust movements

Jacob Riis

Author of How the Other Half Lives (1890), exposing tenement poverty in New York City and inspiring housing reforms

Lincoln Steffens

Muckraker who revealed political corruption in city governments in The Shame of the Cities (1904)

David Phillips

Journalist who wrote The Treason of the Senate (1906), showing how business interests controlled the Senate, leading to support for the 17th Amendment

Upton Sinclair

Author of The Jungle (1906), exposing unsanitary meatpacking conditions and prompting the Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act

Robert La Follette

Progressive Wisconsin governor who pioneered reforms like direct primaries and regulation of utilities, known as the “Wisconsin Idea”

Rise of Theodore Roosevelt to the presidency

Became president after McKinley’s assassination in 1901, using his position to expand federal power and lead Progressive reforms

Political changes

Progressives sought to make government more democratic, reduce corruption, and increase citizen participation in politics

Australian Secret Ballot

Reform allowing voters to cast ballots privately, reducing intimidation and vote buying

Initiative, Referendum, Recall

Progressive reforms giving citizens power to propose laws (initiative), vote on them (referendum), and remove officials (recall)

17th Amendment

(1913) Allowed direct election of U.S. senators by voters, reducing corruption from political machines and big business

19th Amendment

(1920) Granted women the right to vote, a major achievement for the women’s suffrage movement

Social and labor reform

Progressives fought for better working conditions, child labor laws, shorter hours, and workplace safety

Lochner v NY

(1905) Supreme Court case that struck down a law limiting bakers’ work hours, protecting “freedom of contract” and hindering labor reforms

Muller v Oregon

(1908) Supreme Court upheld limits on women’s working hours, accepting evidence that long hours harmed women’s health

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire

(1911) Factory fire that killed over 140 young women, leading to stronger building and labor safety laws

Theodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal

Roosevelt’s domestic policy focusing on control of corporations, consumer protection, and conservation of natural resources

Trust-busting vs. Trust regulating

Roosevelt believed in breaking up “bad” trusts that harmed the public but regulating “good” trusts that served society

Northern Securities case

(1904) Roosevelt used the Sherman Antitrust Act to dissolve a major railroad monopoly, proving federal power over big business

Elkins Act

(1903) Strengthened laws against railroad rebates, making commerce more fair

Hepburn Act

(1906) Gave the Interstate Commerce Commission authority to set maximum railroad rates, increasing federal regulation

Pure Food and Drug Act

(1906) Prohibited sale of misbranded or contaminated food and drugs, protecting consumers

Meat Inspection Act

(1906) Required sanitary meatpacking and federal inspection of meat products, inspired by The Jungle

Election of 1908

William Howard Taft, Roosevelt’s chosen successor, won and promised to continue Progressive reforms

Presidency of William Howard Taft

Continued Progressive policies but angered reformers with conservative stances on tariffs and conservation

Trust busting (Taft)

Taft broke up more monopolies than Roosevelt, including Standard Oil and U.S. Steel

Pinchot-Ballinger affair

Conflict between conservationist Gifford Pinchot and Interior Secretary Richard Ballinger

Payne-Aldrich Tariff

(1909) Tariff law that raised rates despite promises of reform, angering Progressives

Election of 1912

Four-way race between Taft, Roosevelt, Wilson, and Debs

Bull Moose Party

Roosevelt’s Progressive Party of 1912, supporting women’s suffrage, social welfare, and strict corporate regulation

New Nationalism

Roosevelt’s 1912 platform advocating a strong federal government to protect public welfare and regulate big business

New Freedom

Wilson’s 1912 platform emphasizing antitrust action, tariff reform, and support for small businesses over big corporations

Presidency of Woodrow Wilson

Democratic Progressive president who reformed tariffs, banking, and trusts while expanding federal economic power

Triple Wall of Privilege

Wilson’s term for the three areas he sought to reform: tariffs, banks, and trusts

Clayton Antitrust Act

(1914) Strengthened antitrust laws, outlawed certain monopolistic practices, and protected labor unions from prosecution

Federal Trade Commission

(1914) Government agency established to investigate unfair business practices and protect consumers

Federal Reserve Act

(1913) Created the Federal Reserve System to regulate the money supply, manage inflation, and stabilize the banking system