Chapter 16

Industrial Capitalism

System in which trade and industries are privately owned

and operated for a profit.

Laissez-Faire Capitalism

idea that the government should not interfere with

business.

Monopoly

A company that controls most or all of the business in one industry.

Ex: Standard Oil

Political Machines

Controlled city governments, often corrupt.

Farmers’ Alliance

An organized agrarian economic group of farmers that sought

to end harmful effects facing farmers, government regulation of railroads.

Populist Party

Represented farmers, laborers, and factory workers against

bankers and railroads.

Progressive Movement

Workers/Middle Class trying to fix the wrongdoings of

the Industrial Revolution.

Muckrakers

Investigative reporters who exposed the abuses of industrial

society and government corruption- dug up dirt on people.

Settlement House

An all-purpose community center for the poor. Provided child

care, nursing services, and English lessons to immigrants.

Recall

Elected officials could be removed from office by voters in special

elections.

Initiative

Voters could directly introduce bills and vote on them.-helped

fight political corruption.

Referendum

Voters could persuade legislators to place a bill on the ballot

for approval.

Secret Ballot

Voters were less intimidated when they could vote in secret.

Direct Election Of Senators

Senators elected directly by the people (17th

Amendment)

Pendleton Act

Positions within the federal government should be awarded on

the basis of merit instead of political affiliation.

Pure Food & Drug Act

Law passed by Congress in 1906 which halted the sale of

contaminated foods and medicines and called for truth in labeling.

Meat Inspection Act

Law passed by Congress in 1906 which dictated strict

cleanliness requirements for meatpackers and created the program of federal

meat inspection.

The Jungle

Book written by Upton Sinclair exposed the awful conditions of the Chicago

meatpacking industry.

18th Amendment

Prohibition, banning the sale of alcoholic drinks.

19th Amendment

Women's suffrage, women earn the right to vote.