Progressive Era

Ida Tarbell (AOC?)

Author of “History of the Standard Oil Co.” (Trust busting)

Frank Norris (AOC?)

Novelist, exposed the power of monopolies and railroads in works like The Octopus. (Trust Busting)

Upton Sinclair (AOC?)

Author of “The Jungle” (Trust Busting)

Initiative (AOC?)

A process that allowed citizens to propose laws directly by petition and have them voted on. (Political Machines)

Referendum (AOC?)

A vote by the public on a proposed law, often initiated by citizens. (Political Machines)

Recall (AOC?)

A process that allowed voters to remove elected officials from office before their term ended. (Political Machines)

Robert LaFollette

Wisconsin governor and U.S. senator; fought corporate power, created Wisconsin Idea (university research to aid government reforms). (political machines)

Charles Hughes

New York governor, fought corruption, regulated utilities. (political machines)

Hiram Johnson

California governor, supported direct democracy, fought corporate control of politics. (political machines)

Lincoln Steffons

Muckraking journalist, exposed political corruption in cities with his work "The Shame of the Cities." (political machines)

“Australian” secret ballot

A voting method that ensures privacy by allowing voters to cast their ballots in secret, preventing intimidation or bribery. (voting reform)

Direct Primaries

Elections where voters, not party leaders, choose political candidates for upcoming elections. (voting reforms)

Jane Addams

Founded Hull House, providing services for immigrants and the poor. (improving urban living)

Lillian Wald

Founded Henry Street Settlement, offering healthcare and social services. (improving urban living)

Jacob Riis

Muckraker who exposed the harsh living conditions of the poor in How the Other Half Lives. (urban living)

Social Gospel Movement

Religious movement advocating for social reforms to improve living conditions for the poor. (urban living)

Carrie Nation

Radical temperance leader who advocated for the destruction of saloons. (urban living)

Anti-Saloon League

Organization focused on banning alcohol. (urban living)

Frances Willard

Leader of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). (urban living)

John Dewey

Promoted the idea of “learning by doing” in education. (urban living)

18th Amendment (1919)

Established Prohibition, banning the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcohol. (urban living)

John Spargo

Exposed child labor in The Bitter Cry of the Children. (working conditions)

Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Wrote Woman and Economics, advocating for women’s economic independence.

Florence Kelley

Advocate for labor rights and child welfare, especially in improving working conditions for women and children.

Margaret Sanger

Promoted birth control and women’s reproductive rights.

Child Labor Act (1915)

Aimed at limiting child labor and improving conditions for children in the workforce.

Women’s Compensation Act (1916)

Provided compensation for women workers who were injured on the job.

NAWSA (National American Woman Suffrage Association)

Leading organization for women's suffrage.

Jeannette Rankin

First woman elected to the U.S. Congress and advocate for women’s suffrage.

19th Amendment (1920)

Gave women the right to vote.

Subtreasury System

Proposed by the Populists to help farmers by allowing them to store crops in government warehouses and get loans.

Federal Farm Loan Act (1916)

Provided low-interest loans to farmers.

Federal Highway Act (1916)

Funded the construction of highways

Warehouse Act (1916)

Created a system to help farmers store their goods.

Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

Ensured the safety and labeling of food and drugs.

Meat Inspection Act (1906)

Set standards for meatpacking and inspections.

John Muir

Naturalist and conservationist, helped found the Sierra Club.

Gifford Pinchot

First head of the U.S. Forest Service, promoted conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

John Burroughs

Naturalist who advocated for the preservation of nature.

Newlands Reclamation Act (1902)

Funded irrigation projects to reclaim arid lands for agriculture.

Antiquities Act (1906)

Allowed the president to designate national monuments.

Postal Savings Bank System (1910)

Created a government-run savings system to encourage savings and prevent bank failures.

Federal Reserve Board

Regulated and monitored the banking system.

Federal Reserve Act (1913)

Created the Federal Reserve System to provide a stable and flexible currency.

Elkins Act (1903)

Strengthened regulations on railroads, making it illegal for them to offer rebates or special rates to favored customers. (rebates)

Hepburn Act (1906)

Gave the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) authority to set maximum railroad rates and extend its regulatory power.

Mann-Elkins Act (1910)

Expanded the powers of the ICC, especially over telecommunications and railroads, and empowered it to set rates.

Federal Trade Commission Act (1914)

Created the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prevent unfair business practices and enforce antitrust laws.

Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914)

Strengthened antitrust laws, prohibiting business practices that reduced competition, such as price discrimination and mergers that harmed competition.

16th Amendment (1913)

National income tax

17th Amendment (1913)

Direct election of Senators

Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)

Outlawed monopolies and business practices that restrained trade or competition.

Carrie Chapman Catt

Leader of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), campaigned for women's right to vote.

Victoria Woodhull

Early women's rights activist, first woman to run for U.S. president in 1872, advocate for women’s suffrage and free love.

Adamson Act (1916)

Established an 8-hour workday for railroad workers and mandated overtime pay for hours worked beyond that.

Theodore Roosevelt

26th U.S. president, known for Progressive reforms, trust-busting, conservation efforts, and expanding U.S. global influence.

Square Deal (3 C’s)

1. Control of Corporations – Regulating businesses to prevent monopolies.

2. Consumer Protection – Ensuring safe products and fair practices.

3. Conservation of Natural Resources – Preserving public lands and resources.

Rebates

Discounts or returns of part of a payment, often given to favored customers, commonly used in railroads to encourage business.