HOTUS Unit 4 Content Quiz 2

Conspicuous Consumption

The practice of spending money on luxury goods and services to publicly display economic power and social status.

Workers' Economic Insecurity

The instability and lack of financial security faced by laborers due to unpredictable wages, job losses, and poor working conditions.

Social Problem

A widespread issue that negatively affects a significant portion of society and requires collective action for resolution.

Social Darwinism

A theory that applied Darwin's concept of 'survival of the fittest' to human society, arguing that economic success resulted from natural superiority.

Sherman Antitrust Act

A federal law passed in 1890 that aimed to prevent monopolies and promote economic competition.

Supreme Court rulings on labor

A series of decisions that shaped labor rights, often favoring business interests over workers' protections.

Great Railroad Strike

A nationwide strike in 1877 sparked by wage cuts in the railroad industry.

Knights of Labor

A labor organization that sought to unite workers across industries to fight for better wages, hours, and working conditions.

Goal of Middle-Class Reformers

To address social and economic injustices, such as poor working conditions, corruption, and urban poverty.

Social Gospel

A religious movement that emphasized the application of Christian principles to social issues like poverty and inequality.

Haymarket Affair

A labor protest in Chicago in 1886 that turned violent after a bomb was thrown at police.

Australian Ballot

A voting system that introduced secret ballots to prevent voter intimidation and corruption.

Party-line Ballot ('ticket')

A voting system in which voters select candidates solely from one political party.

'Colonizing floaters'

People who were temporarily relocated to voting districts to fraudulently cast ballots in favor of a political machine.

Political Machine

A powerful political organization that controlled local governments through patronage, bribery, and voter manipulation. Tammany Hall was one of the most notorious examples.

Spoils System

A practice where government jobs were given to political supporters as a reward for loyalty rather than based on merit. It led to widespread corruption and inefficiency in government.

Repeaters

Individuals who voted multiple times in an election under different identities to manipulate results. This practice was used by political machines to maintain power.

Voting process using party tickets

A method where voters were handed pre-marked ballots by political parties, reinforcing party loyalty but also enabling election fraud.

Tammany Hall

A powerful Democratic political machine in New York City that dominated politics through patronage and corruption. It helped immigrants but also engaged in widespread graft.

William "Boss" Tweed

The corrupt leader of Tammany Hall who controlled New York politics in the 1860s and 1870s. His fraud and embezzlement led to his downfall and imprisonment.

Farmers' Alliance

A movement of farmers who organized to fight economic hardships, seeking fair railroad rates and government regulation of monopolies. It laid the foundation for the Populist Party.

Deflation

A decrease in the general price level of goods and services, which hurt farmers and debtors by making it harder to pay off loans. It was a key economic issue of the late 19th century.

Populists

A political movement representing farmers and laborers, advocating for economic reforms such as government regulation of railroads, free silver, and direct election of senators.

Populist Platform

The agenda of the Populist Party, which called for monetary reform, an income tax, government ownership of railroads, and political reforms to empower ordinary citizens.

Coxey's Army

A protest march of unemployed workers led by Jacob Coxey in 1894, demanding government action to create jobs during the economic depression.

American Federation of Labor

A labor union founded by Samuel Gompers that focused on skilled workers and sought better wages, hours, and conditions through collective bargaining.

William Jennings Bryan

A Populist and Democratic politician known for advocating free silver and delivering the "Cross of Gold" speech. He ran unsuccessfully for president three times.

Free Silver

A movement advocating the unlimited coinage of silver to inflate the money supply and help farmers and debtors. It was a major issue in the Election of 1896.

Cross of Gold

A speech by William Jennings Bryan in 1896, criticizing the gold standard and supporting free silver to aid the working class. It became a defining moment in the Populist movement.

Election of 1896

A key election between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan, marking the dominance of pro-business Republicans and the decline of the Populist movement.

TR's approach to governing

Theodore Roosevelt believed in a strong federal government that actively regulated big business, protected consumers, and conserved natural resources.

ICC and Hepburn Act

Laws that strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission's ability to regulate railroads and prevent unfair pricing practices.

Pure Food and Drug Act

A 1906 law that required labeling of ingredients and banned unsafe food and medicine. It was part of Roosevelt's consumer protection efforts.

Muir and Conservation

John Muir was a naturalist who advocated for preserving wilderness areas. His efforts influenced Roosevelt's national parks policies.

Progressive Party

A political party founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912, advocating progressive reforms like women's suffrage and stronger regulation of business.

Taft's Approach to Governing

William Howard Taft continued progressive reforms but was less aggressive than Roosevelt, leading to a split in the Republican Party.

Sixteenth Amendment

Allowed the federal government to impose an income tax, providing a new source of revenue for public services and reducing reliance on tariffs.

Election of 1912

A four-way presidential race where Roosevelt's Progressive Party split the Republican vote, leading to Woodrow Wilson's victory.

New Freedom

Woodrow Wilson's reform program that aimed to break up monopolies, reduce tariffs, and create financial regulations to protect small businesses.

New Nationalism

Theodore Roosevelt's policy that emphasized strong government intervention to regulate industry and promote social justice.

Wilson's Approach to Governing

Woodrow Wilson focused on progressive economic reforms, including antitrust laws, banking regulation, and labor protections.

Clayton Act

A 1914 law that strengthened antitrust regulations and protected labor unions from being targeted as monopolies.

Adamson Act

A 1916 law that established an eight-hour workday for railroad workers, marking a major labor victory.

FTC (Federal Trade Commission)

A government agency created in 1914 to prevent unfair business practices and promote consumer protection.

Muckrakers

Journalists who exposed corruption, poor working conditions, and social injustices, influencing progressive reforms.

Muller v. Oregon

A 1908 Supreme Court case that upheld laws limiting women's work hours, citing health concerns, but also reinforcing gender stereotypes.

Lochner v. New York

A Supreme Court case that struck down labor laws regulating working hours, arguing that they violated contract freedom.

Recall

A process allowing voters to remove elected officials from office before their term ends, increasing government accountability.

19th Amendment

Ratified in 1920, it granted women the right to vote, marking a major victory for the women's suffrage movement.

Direct Democracy

A system where citizens have a direct role in lawmaking through initiatives, referendums, and recalls.

City Commission

A form of local government where elected officials oversee specific departments, improving efficiency and reducing corruption.

Representative Democracy

A system where citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf, balancing public input with governance.