Political Corruption and Progressivism in America

What characterized political corruption in postbellum America after the Civil War?

Disjointed corrupt and effective politics, with local and regional political machines dominating through graft and bribery.

Who is associated with the term 'Gilded Age' in American history?

Mark Twain, who wrote a satire about society and politics during this era.

What were the key political issues during the Gilded Age?

Patronage, tariffs, and gold.

What was the patronage or spoils system?

A practice where presidents named friends and supporters to various political posts and repaid favors with patronage.

What legislation was enacted in 1883 to combat patronage?

The Pendleton Service Act.

Who was the president associated with the Pendleton Service Act?

Chester A. Arthur.

What did the Pendleton Service Act establish?

It created the Civil Service Commission, which listed government patronage jobs and set aside 10% for merit-based appointments.

What were the challenges faced by farmers in the populist era?

Overproduction and high tariffs, which left farmers worried.

What was the Farmers Alliance?

A conglomeration of three regional alliances: Southern Alliance, Northwest Alliance, and Colored Alliance, forming a unified voice of over 2.5 million members.

What was the goal of the Populist Party?

To advocate for farmers and push for policies that prioritized their needs.

What was a significant outcome of the Farmers Alliance's efforts?

They hoped the creation of the Populist Party would lead to the election of a president who would prioritize farmers' interests.

How did political machines justify their corrupt actions?

By claiming their actions were necessary for political survival and effectiveness.

What was the impact of the growing laissez-faire attitude in government?

It contributed to the ineffective regulation of political machines and corruption.

What was the significance of the 1892 presidential election for the Populist Party?

It marked their first major attempt to influence national politics.

What was the relationship between economic inequality and political corruption during the Gilded Age?

Economic inequality fueled corruption as political machines exploited the struggles of the lower classes.

What was the role of local political leaders in addressing corruption?

They were seen as potential solutions to the corruption perpetuated by political machines.

What was the Omaha Platform?

A document written by the Populist Party to explain their goals as a new political party.

Who was Ignatius Donnelly?

A key figure in the Populist movement who identified a conspiracy among railroad owners, bankers, and big businessmen against farmers.

What were some key demands of the Populist Party?

Adoption of the sub-treasury plan, government control over railroads, a national bank system, creation of a federal income tax, and direct election of U.S. senators.

What economic conditions contributed to the growth of the Populist movement in the 1890s?

Social and labor unrest, worsened economy, and lack of federal government solutions.

Who was William Jennings Bryan?

A politician who embodied the Populist platform and lost the 1896 election to Republican William McKinley.

What was the significance of the 1896 election?

It highlighted the conflict between the Populist and Republican parties, with Bryan advocating for a silver-based monetary system.

What was the 'Cross of Gold' speech?

A famous speech by William Jennings Bryan that criticized the gold standard and advocated for bimetallism.

What challenges did Progressives aim to address in America?

Fast-growing cities ill-equipped for the working poor, ineffective politicians, and rural struggles.

Who were the muckrakers?

Journalists who exposed societal problems and urged the public to seek solutions.

What was Jacob Riis known for?

His book 'How the Other Half Lives' which documented the poor living conditions of the working class in New York City.

What was the Progressive movement's view on democracy?

They believed democracy needed to be balanced with efficiency, reliance on science, and professional expertise.

What was the grassroots aspect of Progressivism?

The belief that reform answers were found within the activism and expertise of middle-class Americans.

What are initiative, referendum, and recall?

Processes allowing voters to propose laws, counteract legislation, and remove public officials from office, respectively.

What was the Wisconsin Idea?

A set of progressive reforms supported by Governor 'Fighting Bob' La Follette, including workman's compensation and minimum wage laws.

Who was Frederick Winslow Taylor?

An advocate for scientific management who focused on placing workers in the most efficient positions in industrial processes.

What was the state of child labor in 1900?

One out of every six children aged 5 to 10 were working, a 50% increase from the previous decade.

What happened during the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire?

A fire in 1911 that resulted in 146 deaths, mostly of young immigrant women, highlighting unsafe working conditions.

What did the Populist Party believe would benefit all Americans?

Their proposed reforms aimed to address the economic struggles of farmers and workers.

How did the Populist Party's momentum change after the 1896 election?

The party lost momentum after Bryan's defeat to McKinley, despite their reformist ideas remaining intact.

What was the role of federal legislation in the Progressive movement?

While some pushed for federal reforms, most initiatives occurred at state and local levels.

What was the public's perception of the Socialist Party of America during the Progressive era?

Progressives feared the Socialist Party and the Industrial Workers of the World for their emphasis on worker empowerment and direct action.

What was the impact of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire on labor reforms?

The tragedy led to increased awareness and advocacy for labor reforms and workplace safety regulations.

What tragic events led to increased safety regulations in the workplace?

Workers died by trampling, jumped off fire escapes, or jumped to escape flames.

What actions did management take to control workers and prevent union organizers from entering?

Management blockaded doors and fire escapes.

What significant legislation resulted from workplace safety concerns?

Politicians placed safety workplace laws and codes.

Which organizations worked to eliminate the sale of alcohol in the early 20th century?

The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and the Anti-Saloon League.

What was the outcome of the efforts by the WCTU and Anti-Saloon League by 1909?

They urged 40% of counties to go dry, leading to the ratification of the 18th Amendment.

What did the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution prohibit?

The manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages nationwide.

Who was Eugene Debs and what was his political significance?

He ran for president as the Socialist candidate in five elections, earning nearly 1 million votes twice.

What were the 'Wobblies'?

A term referring to members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), involved in various labor strikes.

What strikes were associated with the Wobblies?

The Patterson silk strike, the Lawrence textile strike, and the Mesabi Range iron strike.

How did the government respond to the Wobblies?

They viewed them as a significant threat and targeted them with arrests, shootings, and lynchings.

What movements flourished due to the new voices for women and African Americans?

The movements for women's rights and African-American rights.

What were Jim Crow laws?

Laws that separated whites and blacks.

Who was Booker T. Washington and what was his approach to African American advancement?

Born into slavery, he focused on self-improvement and economic productivity rather than political rights.

What was the Atlanta Compromise?

Washington's agreement encouraging African Americans to work diligently instead of focusing on civil rights.

Who supported Booker T. Washington's self-help programs?

Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller.

What was W.E.B. Du Bois's vision for African American equality?

He advocated for political leadership and the development of the educated elite, termed 'The Talented Tenth'.

What organization did W.E.B. Du Bois help to found?

The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) in 1909.

What was the role of Progressivism in the White House during this era?

It pushed against antitrust rulings and expanded federal oversight of commerce.

What was the impact of WWI on Progressive goals?

It shut down goals of democracy, efficiency, regulation, and social justice.

What nickname was given to Theodore Roosevelt due to his antitrust efforts?

The Trustbuster.

How did Roosevelt use the presidency to address bad trusts?

He publicly denounced them and used good trusts to provide cheaper goods and services.

What was the significance of Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle'?

It exposed the meatpacking industry and led to the Meat Inspection Act of 1906.

What did the Meat Inspection Act of 1906 establish?

It established regulations for the inspection of meat products.

What does the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 require?

It requires labels of materials in products and prohibits adulterated products.

Who was appointed as the first chief of the US Forestry Service?

Gifford Pinchot

How many national forests were created under Roosevelt's stewardship?

150 national forests.

What significant act did Taft initiate during his presidency?

He initiated twice as many antitrust actions as Roosevelt.

What was the outcome of the 1912 presidential election?

Wilson won the election, costing the Republicans the White House and the Senate.

What did the Federal Reserve Act aim to achieve?

It aimed to remove power over interest rates from private bankers and created a system of 12 privately owned banks.

What was the purpose of the Open Door Notes?

To express US interests in East Asia and promote free trade without unfair advantages.

What was the significance of the Spanish-American War for the US?

It marked the US's first step toward becoming an empire by gaining territories in Central America and the Pacific.

What was the Platt Amendment?

It allowed the US to have naval and coaling stations in Cuba and governed Cuba's foreign policy.

What was Roosevelt's Big Stick foreign policy?

It asserted that the US had the right to act as a policeman in the Western Hemisphere.

What was the outcome of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand?

It led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia, escalating into World War I.

What was the impact of the Lusitania sinking?

It galvanized support for the war in England and the US, resulting in 1,200 civilian deaths, including 128 Americans.

What was the Zimmermann Telegram?

A secret message from Germany to Mexico inviting them to join the war against the US.

What was the significance of the Panama Canal?

It facilitated naval movement and trade between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

What was Taft's Dollar Diplomacy?

A foreign policy that relied on economic power rather than military intervention.

What military technologies were used during WWI?

New artillery, tanks, airplanes, machine guns, and poison gas.

What was the total military death toll in WWI?

Approximately 10 million military deaths and another million civilian deaths.

What did Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine state?

It warned European nations against interfering in the Caribbean and asserted the US's right to intervene.

What was the role of yellow journalism in the Spanish-American War?

It sensationalized news to rally public support for the war.

Who led the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War?

The Rough Riders were led by Theodore Roosevelt.

What was the impact of the Industrial Revolution on US foreign policy?

It shifted from isolationism to expansionism, seeking new markets and resources.

What was the significance of the Turner Thesis?

It argued that the American character was shaped by the encounter with the wilderness and the pursuit of new frontiers.

What was the outcome of the US's military engagement with Spain?

The US gained territories such as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

What did the Federal Reserve Board regulate?

It regulated the interest rates at which banks loaned money.

What was the effect of the 1912 election on the Republican Party?

It led to a split in the party and loss of political power.

What was the main reason for the US's involvement in WWI?

To respond to threats against its interests and uphold moral imperatives.

What act requires labels on meat products and prohibits adulterated products?

The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.

Who was appointed as the first chief of the U.S. Forestry Service?

Gifford Pinchot.

What was the total acreage of public land under Roosevelt's administration?

230 million acres.

What significant antitrust actions did Taft initiate compared to Roosevelt?

Taft initiated twice as many antitrust actions but lacked Roosevelt's political negotiation skills.

Who won the 1912 presidential election?

Woodrow Wilson.

What was the purpose of the Federal Reserve Act?

To remove power over interest rates from private bankers and regulate the banking system.

What did the Open Door Notes express?

U.S. interests in East Asia and the desire for free trade without special tariffs.

What was Alfred Thayer Mahan's contribution to U.S. naval strategy?

He advocated for establishing a network of naval bases and constructing a canal across Central America.

What was the significance of Frederick Jackson Turner's frontier thesis?

It argued that the encounter between European traditions and the native wilderness shaped American character.

What was the outcome of the Spanish-American War for the U.S.?

The U.S. gained control of territories like Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

What was the purpose of the Panama Canal?

To facilitate quicker naval movement between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

What event triggered the start of World War I?

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.

What was the significance of the Lusitania sinking?

It galvanized support for the war in the U.S. after 1,200 civilians, including 128 Americans, died.