Progressive Era Terms

Progressive Movement

an early 19th century political movement demanding that people have a greater voice in government and seeking to advance the interests of farmers and laborers

prohibition

the banning of the manufacture, sale, and possession of alcoholic beverages

muckraker

one of the magazine journalists who exposed the corrupt side of business and public life in the early 1900s

initiative

a procedure by which a legislative measure can be originated by the people rather than by the lawmakers

referendum

a procedure by which a proposed legislative measure can be submitted to a vote of the people

recall

a procedure for removing public official from office by a vote of the people

seventeenth amendment

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1913, that provides for the election of U.S. senators by the people rather than by state legislatures

suffrage

the right to vote

The Jungle

a novel by Upton Sinclair, published in 1906, that portrays the dangerous and unwealthy conditions prevalent in the meatpacking industry at the time

Square Deal

President Theodore Roosevelt’s program of progressive reforms designed to protect the common people against big business

Meat Inspection Act

a law, enacted in 1906, that established strict cleanliness requirements for meatpackers and created a federal meat-inspection program

Pure Food and Drug Act

a law enacted in 1906 to halt the sale of contaminated foods and drugs and to ensure truth in labeling

Conservation

the planned management of natural resources, involving the protection of some wilderness areas and the development of others for the common good

NAACP

the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People- an organization founded in 1909 to promote full racial equality

Payne-Aldrich Tariff

a set of tax regulations, enacted by Congress in 1909, that failed to significantly reduce tariffs on manufactures

Bull Moose Party

name given to the Progressive Party, formed to support Theodore Roosevelt’s candidacy for the presidency in 1912

Clayton Antitrust Act

a law, enacted in 1914, that made certain monopolistic business practices illegal and protected the rights of labor unions and farm organizations

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

a federal agency established in 1914 to investigate and stop unfair business practices

Federal Reserve System

a national banking system, establishing in 1913, that controls U.S. money supply and the availability of credit in the country

Nineteenth Amendment

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, adopted in1920, that gives women the right to vote