Progressivism

Initiative

A political process that allows citizens to propose new laws or amendments by collecting signatures to place them on the ballot.

Referendum

A process that allows voters to approve or reject laws passed by the legislature.

Recall

A procedure that allows voters to remove an elected official from office before their term ends.

City-Manager System

A form of local government in which an elected city council hires a professional manager to run city operations.

Australian Ballot

A secret ballot system printed and distributed by the government to reduce voter intimidation and corruption.

Federal Corrupt Practices Act

A law passed to limit campaign contributions and require disclosure of campaign spending to reduce political corruption.

17th Amendment

Constitutional amendment (1913) that established the direct election of U.S. senators by voters instead of state legislatures.

19th Amendment

Constitutional amendment (1920) that granted women the right to vote.

Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

A 1916 federal law that banned the interstate sale of goods produced by child labor, later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

LaFollette Seaman’s Act

A 1915 law that improved safety and working conditions for sailors, including regulated work hours and better living standards on ships.

Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1913)

A law that strengthened antitrust legislation by prohibiting specific anti-competitive practices and protecting labor unions from being treated as illegal trusts.

Trust Busting (Theodore Roosevelt)

Government efforts under President Theodore Roosevelt to break up large monopolies and trusts that restrained trade.

Dissolution of Standard Oil (1910–1911)

The Supreme Court decision that broke up Standard Oil into smaller companies for violating antitrust laws.

Federal Reserve Act

A 1913 law that created the Federal Reserve System to regulate banking and control the money supply.

Muller v. Oregon

A 1908 Supreme Court case that upheld laws limiting women’s work hours, arguing that women required special protection in the workplace.

16th Amendment

Constitutional amendment (1913) that allowed the federal government to collect a graduated income tax.

Hepburn Act

A 1906 law that strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission’s power to regulate railroad rates.

Elkins Act

A 1903 law that prohibited railroads from giving rebates to favored customers.

Department of Commerce and Labor

A federal department created in 1903 to oversee business and labor interests (later split into two departments).

Meat Inspection Act

A 1906 law requiring federal inspection of meat products to ensure sanitary conditions.

Pure Food and Drug Act

A 1906 law prohibiting the sale of misbranded or adulterated food and medicines.

Adamson Act

A 1916 law establishing an eight-hour workday for railroad workers.

Workingmen’s Compensation

Laws providing financial compensation to workers injured on the job regardless of fault.

Keating-Owen Child Labor Act (Social)

A Progressive reform aimed at reducing child labor by banning interstate trade of goods made by children.

18th Amendment

Constitutional amendment establishing Prohibition by banning the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.

Compulsory Education

Laws requiring children to attend school to reduce child labor and improve literacy.

Hull House

A settlement house founded by Jane Addams that provided services and education to immigrants and the poor.

National Park System

Progressive efforts to preserve natural resources and expand protected public lands.

Newlands Act

A 1902 law funding irrigation projects in the western United States to promote conservation and development.