Hotus Quiz: Progressive Era and Imperialism

Muckrackers

Investigative journalists in the early 1900s who exposed corruption, social injustices, and corporate abuses. Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle and Ida Tarbell’s History of Standard Oil, McClure’s Magazine fueled public demand for reforms in business, government, and labor laws.

Muller v. Oregon: 1908

Supreme Court case that upheld a law limiting women's work hours, citing the need to protect women’s health.
Significance: Set a precedent for labor laws but also reinforced gender-based labor discrimination.

Lochner v. New York (1905)

Supreme Court case striking down a law limiting bakers’ work hours, arguing it interfered with the right to contract.
Significance: Weakened labor protections and became a precedent for later anti-regulation decisions.

Teddy Roosevelt’s approach to governing(1901-1908)

Advocated for a strong federal government, progressive reforms, and trust-busting. He was an active president - proposed policy to remove corruption in Congress, increased power of presidency

Significance: His “Square Deal”(talked to press) aimed to regulate big business, conserve natural resources, and protect consumers.

The 3 C’s

1. Control of Big Business(railroads) regulations, believed Social Darwanism

2. Consumer Protections:

   • 1906: pure food and drug act, meat inspection act

   • “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair about the meat packing industry

   • federal government created inspectors to survey the industry

3. Conservation

   • scientific management of America’s resources

   • Forest Service

   • didn’t believe in “pristine”

   • national parks

Progressive Party: 1912

Also known as the “Bull Moose Party,” formed by Theodore Roosevelt after a split in the Republican Party.

Significance: Pushed progressive reforms but split Republican votes, helping Democrat Woodrow Wilson win the presidency.

William Taft’s Approach to Governing: 1908 - 1912

Chosen as T.R’s successor, More conservative than Roosevelt, focused on legalistic trust-busting but less on public outreach. Great legal mind, wanted more power back to Congress.

Significance: His cautious progressivism disappointed reformers, leading to the Republican split in 1912. His legal battles against the trust allowed him to win more than T.R. In 1911, he forced Rockefeller to seel parts of his standard oil company.

Sixteenth Amendment (1913)

Authorized the federal government to impose an income tax, allowing for a more equitable tax system. Progressives thought it would redistribute wealth. 99% of Americans didn’t pay income tax when started. It was up to Congress.

Significance: Provided a more stable revenue source for the federal government and allowed for more social and infrastructure spending.

Election of 1912

Featured Roosevelt (Progressive), Taft (Republican), Wilson (Democrat), and Eugene Debs (Socialist), with Wilson winning. All candidates were progressives.

Significance: Highlighted deep divisions in the Republican Party and solidified progressive ideas in national politics. It was the 1st time there was a viable 3rd party candidate.

New Freedom

Wilson’s policy favoring small businesses, tariff reduction, and banking reform.
Significance: Led to major economic reforms like the Federal Reserve System.

New Nationalism

Roosevelt’s platform advocating for stronger federal regulation, social justice, and labor rights.
Significance: Marked an early push for a welfare state and government intervention in economic inequality.

Woodrow Wilson’s Approach to Governing

Progressive but idealistic, emphasizing moral diplomacy and economic reforms. Was the Gov of New Jersey in 1910. Called special session of Congress (18 months), broke up B.B. aided farmers, environmental reclamation.
Significance: Passed reforms like the Federal Reserve Act and Clayton Antitrust Act but was criticized for racial segregation policies.

Clayton Antitrust Act (1914)

Wilson strengthened antitrust laws and protected labor unions from being targeted as monopolies.The Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 was designed to prevent anti-competitive practices by prohibiting corporate mergers that would substantially lessen competition and ensuring that labor unions and agricultural organizations were not considered illegal combinations.

Significance: Gave unions legal standing and reduced corporate monopolies.

Adamson Act (1916)

Established an 8-hour workday for railroad workers.

Significance: First federal law mandating shorter work hours in a specific industry.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (1914)

Created to investigate and prevent unfair business practices.

Significance: Became a key agency in enforcing antitrust laws and consumer protection.

Federal Reserve System : 1913

Country had 12 districts w/ fed. Reserve Bank to move cash around during panics. Member Banks opted in and kept certain amount of cash on hand(voluntary choice EXCEPT for national banks). The Board was appointed by the President

Significance: regulated banking industry(but 2/3 banks opted out), set interest rates