Chapter 16-History

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

Political Machines

Controlled city governments, often corrupt

Farmers’ Alliance

An organized agrarian economic group of farmers that sought to end harmful effects facing farmers, 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 offices 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 intimidated when they could vote in secret

Direct Election of Senators

Senators elected directly by the people(17 Amendment)

Pendleton Act

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

Pure Food & Drug Act

Law passed by Congress in 1906 which halted the sale of contaminated food and medications and called for truth in labeling

Meat Inspection Act

Law passed by Congress in 1906 which dictated strict cleanliness requirements for meat 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’s suffrage, women earn the right to vote