Politics, Populists, and Progressives 1880-1917

30 flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the Progressive Era and the political movements from 1880 to 1917.

Coxey's Army

A group organized by Jacob Coxey in 1894 to march to Washington for an emergency jobs program during the depression.

Progressive Era

A period of political agitation and reform in the U.S. from the 1880s to 1910s, focusing on various social issues.

Commonweal of Christ

The name adopted by Coxey's Army during their march to the U.S. Capitol.

Mary E. Lease

A Kansas political organizer who advocated for reforms including women's suffrage and government regulation of the economy.

Pendleton Act

A law established in 1883 to create a nonpartisan Civil Service Commission for federal job appointments based on merit.

Sherman Antitrust Act

The first federal law aimed at regulating monopolies and preventing anti-competitive practices, enacted in 1890.

Lodge Bill

Also known as the Federal Elections Bill of 1890, it aimed to protect African American voting rights but was defeated.

Omaha Platform

The 1892 platform of the People’s Party, calling for radical reforms such as public ownership of railroads.

Free Silver

A movement aimed at increasing the money supply by allowing the free coinage of silver.

Williams v. Mississippi

A key Supreme Court case (1898) that upheld discriminatory voting laws such as poll taxes and literacy tests.

Lochner v. New York

A landmark Supreme Court case (1905) that invalidated laws regulating labor conditions as a violation of economic freedoms.

Square Deal

The domestic program proposed by Theodore Roosevelt, emphasizing fairness and a balanced approach to reform.

Hepburn Act

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

Standard Oil decision

The Supreme Court's 1911 ruling to break up the Standard Oil Company for violating antitrust laws.

Newlands Reclamation Act

A 1902 law providing federal funds for irrigation projects in arid lands.

Wisconsin Idea

A political philosophy advocating for greater government intervention and reliance on expert opinion in policy making.

National Child Labor Committee

An organization founded in 1907 aimed at combating child labor and improving conditions for children.

Muller v. Oregon

A Supreme Court case (1908) that upheld a law limiting women’s work hours based on their maternal role.

Mothers’ pensions

Social welfare programs providing financial assistance to mothers with dependent children, initiated in the early 1900s.

Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)

A radical labor organization founded in 1905 that advocated for workers' rights and the overthrow of capitalism.

Talented tenth

A term popularized by W. E. B. Du Bois referring to the leadership class within the African American community.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Founded in 1909 to advocate for civil rights and oppose racial discrimination.

New Nationalism

The progressive political policy of Theodore Roosevelt, calling for more government intervention in the economy.

Federal Reserve Act

A 1913 law that established the Federal Reserve System to regulate the banking industry and stabilize the economy.

Clayton Antitrust Act

A 1914 law that strengthened antitrust protections and exempted labor unions from being considered illegal monopolies.

William Jennings Bryan

A prominent Democratic politician from Nebraska known for his advocacy of free silver and his speeches emphasizing populism.

Theodore Roosevelt

The 26th President of the United States, known for his progressive reforms and trust-busting policies.

Robert La Follette

A progressive governor of Wisconsin who advocated for political and economic reforms in line with the Wisconsin Idea.

Louis Brandeis

A leading lawyer and reform advocate who championed economic competition and workers' rights, later appointed to the Supreme Court.

W. E. B. Du Bois

An African American sociologist and civil rights activist who co-founded the NAACP and promoted the idea of the 'talented tenth.'

Eugene V. Debs

A labor leader and socialist politician who campaigned for workers' rights and ran for president multiple times.