Unit 8 - Progressivism

Laissez-Faire

No government involvement in the economy.

Reform

Change to a system in order to fix it.

Muckraker

Investigative journalists in the early 1900s.

Prohibition

Ban on something (e.g., alcohol in the 1920s).

Progressives

Believed people no longer had a voice due to corrupt government/business.

Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle

A novel that exposed the unsanitary conditions of the meatpacking industry, leading to reforms in food safety regulations.

Ida Tarbell

A pioneering investigative journalist who exposed the monopolistic practices of Standard Oil, contributing to antitrust reforms.

Lincoln Steffens

An American investigative journalist and muckraker known for his work exposing corruption in municipal governments in the early 20th century. His most famous work, "The Shame of the Cities," illustrated the depth of political corruption in U.S. cities. 

Lewis Hines

Was a prominent American photographer and social reformer, known for his powerful images documenting child labor and its impact on working conditions in the early 20th century. 

Direct Primaries

Voters select candidates

Referendum

Voters approve laws

Recall

Voters remove officials

Initiative

Citizens propose new laws

“Square Deal” (1902)

Mediated the coal strike and emphasized fairness for workers, businesses, and consumers.

Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

Established regulations to ensure safe food and medicine, improving public health.

Trust-busting

Prosecuted monopolies and large corporations that restricted fair competition, exemplified by actions against Standard Oil and Northenr Securities.

Conservationism and National Parks

Protected natural resources and expanded federally preserved land through the creation of national parks, forests, and the U.S. Forest Service, safeguarding the environment for future generations.

Jane Addams’ Settlement Houses

Focused on social reform, they helped improve living conditions for disadvantaged populations, promoted education and cultural exchange, and raised awareness of the need for social services and urban reform.

Triangle Shirtwaist

Highlighted the need for workplace safety regulations and led to reforms in labor laws, including better building safety standards, workers’ rights protections, and stronger unions.

Voting Reform

Gave more power to the people, curbed political corruption, and ensured a fairer and more transparent democratic process, reflecting the Progressive Era’s emphasis on government accountability.

Women’s suffrage

A major step towards gender equality and expanded democracy is granting women a voice in political decisions, advancing the broader progressive goal of societal reform.

Public Education

Reduced child labor, helped social inequalities, and prepared citizens to participate in modern democratic society, which aligned with the Progressive focus on social betterment and empowerment through knowledge.