AMSCO Chapter 21

Progressives

Progressives

Most of this were urban middle-class men and women. They included: doctors, lawyers, ministers, storekeepers, office workers, and middle managers. They hoped to create an idealistic American society cured of its social, political, and economic ills. (p. 432)

Lincoln Steffans

He wrote "The Shame of the Cities" (1904) which described in detail the corruption that characterized big-city politics. (p. 434)

Ida Tarbell

A leading muckraker and magazine editor, she exposed the corruption of the oil industry with her 1902 series "The History of the Standard Oil Company". (p. 434)

Jacob Riis

In 1890, he wrote "How The Other Half Lives", which showed the terrible conditions of the tenement houses of the big cities where immigrants lived during the late 1800s. (p. 434)

direct primary

A nominating process where voters directly select the candidates who will run for office. (p. 435)

Robert La Follett

In 1903, this Progressive Wisconsin Governor introduced a new system which allowed the voters to directly choose party candidates (direct primary), rather than being selected by party bosses. (p. 435)

Seventeenth Amendment

In 1913, this constitutional amendment was passed. It required that all U.S. senators be elected by a popular vote. (p. 435)

initiative

This political reform allowed people to submit new legislature to the voters in a general direct election. (p. 435)

referendum

A political reform by which actions of the legislature could be returned to the electorate for approval. (p. 435)

recall

This political reform allowed voters to remove a politician from office before their term was completed. (p. 435)

Prohibition

By 1915, two-thirds of the states had passed these laws which prohibited the sale of alcohol. (p 437)

National Child Labor Committee

They proposed child labor laws which were adopted by many of the states. (p. 437)

compulsory school attendance

Many states passed these laws, which made it mandatory for children to go to public schools. (p. 437)

Triangle Shirtwaist fire

In 1911, a high-rise garment factory burned, killing 146 people, mostly women. (p. 437)

Square Deal

Economic policy by President Theodore Roosevelt that favored fair relationships between companies and workers. (p. 438)

trust-busting

President Theodore Roosevelt broke up the railroads and Standard Oil by using the Sherman Antitrust Act. (p. 438)

"bad" trusts

According to President Theodore Roosevelt, these types of trusts harmed the public and stifled competition, and should be broken up. (p. 438)

"good" trusts

According to President Theodore Roosevelt, these types of trusts dominated a market through efficiency and low prices, and should be regulated by the government rather than broken up. (p. 438)

Upton Sinclair

He wrote "The Jungle" which described the problems within the Chicago stockyards and meatpacking industry. (p. 438)

Pure Food and Drug Act

This 1906 act forbade the manufacture or sale of mislabeled or adulterated food or drugs, it gave the government broad powers to ensure the safety and efficacy of drugs in order to abolish the "patent" drug trade. (p. 438)

Meat Inspection Act

This 1906 act provided federal inspectors to visit meatpacking plants to insure that they met sanitation standards. (p. 439)

Newlands Reclamation Act

A 1902 act that provide public land for irrigation projects in western states. (p. 439)

Socialist Party of America

This third party was dedicated to the welfare of the working class. Their platform called for radical reforms such as public ownership of the railroads, utilities, and even some major industries such as oil and steel. (p. 440)

Eugene V. Debs

One of the founders of the Socialist party and the party's presidential candidate from 1900 to 1920. (p. 440)

Bull Moose Party

Nickname for the new Progressive Party, which was formed to nominate Theodore Roosevelt in the 1912 presidential election. (p. 441)

New Nationalism

In the election of 1912, the Theodore Roosevelt called for more government regulation of business and unions, women's suffrage (voting rights), and more social welfare programs. (p. 441)

New Freedom

In the election of 1912, Woodrow Wilson supported limiting both big business and big government, bringing about reform by ending corruption, and reviving competition by supporting small business.

Sixteenth Amendment

Ratified in 1913, this constitutional amendment, explicitly permitted Congress to levy a federal income tax. (p. 439)

Federal Reserve Act

In 1914, this act created a central banking system, consisting of twelve regional banks governed by the Federal Reserve Board. It was an attempt to provide the United States with a sound yet flexible currency. It still plays a major role in the American economy today. (p. 442)

Clayton Antitrust Act

In 1914, this antitrust legislation strengthened the provisions in the Sherman Antitrust Act for breaking up monopolies. It exempted unions from being prosecuted as trusts. (p. 442)

Federal Trade Commision

A federal regulatory agency, established in 1914 to prevent unfair business practices and help maintain a competitive economy. (p. 442)

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

This organization's mission was to abolish all forms of segregation and to increase educational opportunities for African Americans. (p. 444)

Carrie Chapman Catt

A suffragette, she worked to obtain the right for women to vote. She was president of the National Women's Suffrage Association, and founder of the International Woman Suffrage Alliance. Instrumental in obtaining passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. (p. 445)

National American Woman Suffrage Association

A group formed in the late 1800s to organize the women's suffrage movement. They focused on winning the women's vote through state suffrage laws. (p. 445)

Alice Paul

A suffragette who focused on obtaining an amendment to the Constitution for women's suffrage (voting rights). (p. 445)

Nineteenth Amendment

In 1920, this amendment passed which gave women the right to vote. (p. 445)

League of Woman Voters

Organized by Carrie Chapman Catt. A civic organization dedicated to keeping voters informed about candidates and issues. (p. 445)

Margaret Sanger

She founded an organization the became Panned Parenthood. They advocated for birth-control education. (p. 445)