Progressivism Quiz

The progressive movement

A period of widespread social activism and political reform across the United States, from the 1890s to the 1920s.

Payne-Aldrich Tariff

A compromise tariff passed in 1909 that moderated the high Dingley Tariff of 1897. Signed by Taft. Doesn’t lower tariffs enough and people wanted it to be lower. TR voices displeasure.

Goals of Progressism.

Protecting social welfare, promoting moral improvement, creating economic reform, and fostering efficiency.

Election of 1912

TR decides to run again.

Taft steals nomination (Republican Nominee).

TR starts his own party (Bull-Moose party)

Wilson becomes president

Split republican votes because of TR starting his own party with half republicans stseals it for Wilson

(NOTE - 2 things upset a 2nd term. Economic crashed and split parties)

Bull-Moose Party

Party created by TR due to not becoming the Republican Nominee, also knows as the progressives.

Muchrakers

Journalists in the Progressive Era who exposed social ills, corporate greed, and political corruption. Including Upton Sinclair (The Jungle), Ida Tarbell (The History of the Standard Oil company), and Lincoln Steffens (The Shame of the Cities).

Woodrow Wilson.

Elected in 1912 due to split Republican votes with TR and Taft. 28Th president. Leading figure of the progressive era with the “New Freedom” domestic policy, which included the Federal Reserve Act, Federal Trade Commission Act, the Clayton Antitrust Act, and the Underwood Tariff. He also led the US during World War I.

Federal Trade Commission

An independent agency of the United States government established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Its primary mission is to protect consumers and ensure a strong competitive market by enforcing antitrust laws and preventing deceptive or unfair trade practices.

The Jungle

A 1906 novel written by Upton Sinclair that exposed the appalling working conditions and unsanitary practices in the meatpacking industry. Led to the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.

Federal Reserve System.

The central banking system of the United States, created in 1913 by the Federal Reserve Act.

It was established to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system. It manages monetary policy, regulates banks, and maintains financial stability.

Scientific Management

A theory of management that analyzes and synthesizes workflows to improve economic efficiency, especially labor productivity.

Pioneered by Frederick Winslow Taylor around the turn of the 20th century, it sought to optimize productivity by breaking down tasks into smaller, standardized steps and using time and motion studies.

Underwood Tariff

A revenue act passed in 1913 that substantially reduced import duties and reimposed a federal income tax following the ratification of the Sixteenth Amendment.

It was a key piece of President Woodrow Wilson's "New Freedom" agenda and marked a significant shift towards lower tariffs in US history.

Initiative

A process that enables citizens to bypass their state legislature by placing proposed statutes and, in some states, constitutional amendments on the ballot.

It is a form of direct democracy that became a popular progressive reform to counter the influence of political machines and special interests in state legislatures.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act

A landmark federal statute passed in 1890 that prohibits certain business activities that federal government regulators deem to be anti-competitive, and requires the federal government to investigate and pursue trusts.

It was the first measure passed by the US Congress to prohibit monopolies. It became a crucial tool for trust busting during the Progressive Era, but it was not the first overall, which was the Interstate Commerce Act.

Referendum

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal or law.

This progressive reform allows citizens to approve or reject laws passed by their legislature, serving as a check on legislative power.

Robert La Follette

An American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the US House of Representatives, Governor of Wisconsin, and a US Senator.

A prominent progressive leader, he championed the "Wisconsin Idea," which used academics and experts to improve state government, implemented progressive reforms like primary elections, and fought against corporate power.

Recall

Enabled Voters to remove public officials through a direct vote before their term has ended.

Like the initiative and referendum, this was a progressive reform aimed at increasing accountability and responsiveness of elected officials to the public will.

16th Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution ratified in 1913 that allows Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states or basing it on the United States Census.

This amendment provided the financial means for the federal government to expand its role and fund progressive reforms.

17th Amendment

Provided the direct election of senators. Ratified in 1913. This progressive reform aimed to reduce corruption and make the Senate more democratic and accountable to the people.

19th Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution ratified in 1920 that granted women the right to vote.

This was the culmination of the decades-long women's suffrage movement, a major goal achieved during the Progressive Era.

Women and Education

The movement during the Progressive Era to expand educational opportunities for women.

Increased access to higher education led to a new generation of educated women who became leaders in social reform movements, including suffrage, temperance, and housing reform.

TR

A leading progressive reformer, he was known for his "Square Deal" domestic policy, trustbusting efforts, conservation programs, and the establishment of national parks and forests. He later ran as the "Bull Moose" candidate in 1912.

William McKinley

His presidency oversaw the Spanish-American War and the annexation of Hawaii. Upon his assasination, Theodore Roosevelt became president, accelerating the progressive agenda.

Trustbusting

The government activities aimed at breaking up monopolies and trusts, especially during the Progressive Era.

Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft used the Sherman Antitrust Act to file lawsuits against large corporations like Standard Oil, Northern Securities, and the American Tobacco Company to restore competition.

1902 Coal strike

1st strike the government doesn't side against the labores. Called both sides to the white house to talk and he eventually settle the strike. Threteaned to take over the mines. Wanted better pay (20% raise) and shorter hours (9 hour days). New principle that said when a strike hits happens the public government would interfere. 1903 - Commission issued compromise. Miners get 10% raise and 9-hour days, but have to give up demand to close shop and right to strike.

Meat Inspection Act 1906

Dictated strict cleanliness requirements for me at Packers and created a federal program as meat inspectors. It was a direct response to public outrage following the publication of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle.

Pure food and Drug Act 1906

Halted the sale of contaminated food and medicine and called for truth in labeling. Outlawed the interstate transport of adulterated or misbranded food and drugs. Laid the foundation for the modern Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Conservation

A progressive movement aimed at protecting natural resources and wilderness areas in the United States.

Theodore Roosevelt was a key figure, establishing the US Forest Service, creating numerous national forests, national parks, and wildlife refuges to ensure the sustainable use and preservation of natural lands.

Taft

He continued many of Roosevelt's progressive policies, including trustbusting (filing even more cases than Roosevelt), but alienated progressives with actions like signing the Payne-Aldrich Tariff. Was disliked by progressives and TR. Later 10th Chief Justice of the US.

Jane Adams

Her major contributions include advocating for labor reforms like the abolition of child labor, creating juvenile courts, and establishing protections for working women, such as the eight-hour workday. She also supported the suffrage movement, believing women's votes were necessary to pass social legislation, and was a founder of organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom

W.E.D debuios

Wanted civil rights immediately, co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909.

Ida B. Wells

Exposed predatory and unethical practiced of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company with her 1904 The History of the Standard Oil Company.

Also Lynching

John Muir

Muir is credited with the establishment of the National Park System and the Sierra Club. He educated Americans about the value of the country's wilderness and inspired wilderness advocates.

Subway Systems/Electricty

Subway system gave more job opportunities, electricity allowed for the lights to stay on at night in the work place.

Women’s voting rights

During the Progressive Era, women advocated for voting rights through a multi-pronged approach: large public demonstrations like parades and pickets (even at the White House), lobbying, state-by-state campaigns, leveraging traditional roles for reform, using powerful imagery, and employing civil disobedience (like hunger strikes) to pressure politicians.