APUSH Chapter 19

Single tax movement

Proposed by Henry George in 1879, the single tax- a 100% tax on any increase in the value of real estate- was designed to keep property values low and therefore limit the accumulation of wealth while spreading opportunity more broadly in society.

Looking Backward

Book published by Edward Bellamy, describes a perfect society where citizens enjoyed stress free lives free of poverty or wealth.

Social Darwinism

Darwin theory: survival of the fittest, government is unable to alter this natural process.

John Dewey

Best remembered for his educational ideas, goal was a wider philosophical response to industrialism. Challenged social darwinism.

William Sumner

Supported social darwinism fully, argued that the fittest were rightfully the dominant class in society.

Muckraking Journalists

Journalism exposing economic, social, and political evils, so named by Roosevelt for its “raking the muck” from the bottom of American society.

Henry Demarest Lloyd

Wrote for Chicago newspapers, one of the first muckraking journalists.

Tammany Hall

NYC’s Democratic Party organization. Evolved into powerful political machine after 1860 using patronage and bribes to maintain control of the city administration.

William Boss Tweed

Infamous early Tammany Boss. Led Tammany in 1860s and 70s. Developed courthouse in lower Manhattan and Riverside Park.

Initiative

Procedure by which citizens can introduce a subject for legislation, usually through a petition signed by a specific number of voters.

Referendum

Submission of a law, proposed or already in effect, to a direct popular vote for approval of rejection.

Recall

The process of removing an official from office by popular vote, usually after using petitions to call for such a vote.

The School and Society

Book written by John Dewey describing what he thought a progressive approach to education should be.

Women’s Christian Temperance Union

National Organization formed after the Civil War dedicated to prohibiting the sale and distribution of alcohol.

Social Gospel

Application of religious ethics to industrial conditions and thereby alleviating poverty, slums, and labor exploitation.

Frances E. Willard

Big president for the WCTU. Became the most prominent women in the US for her time.

Sherman Antitrust Act

First federal antitrust measure. Sought to promote economic competition by prohibiting business combinations in restraint of trade or commerce.

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act

A law of 1883 that reformed the spoils system by prohibiting government workers from making political contributions and by creating the Civil Service Commission to oversee their appointment on the basis of merit rather than politics.

William Howard Taft

Wins election of 1908. Continues trust busting and conservation.

New Freedom

Woodrow Wilson’s 1912 program for government intervention in the economy to restore competition by curtailing the business monopolies, thereby providing opportunities for individual achievement.

Woodrow Wilson

Governor of NJ, campaigned for 1912 election, created New Freedom program. Lowers tariffs and included increased income tax. (W)

Federal Trade Commission

Government Agency established in 1914 to provide regulatory oversight of business activity.

Thomas Nast

Created the political cartoons which led to the downfall of Boss Tweed.

Pragmatism

Goal of the progressives: Establishing a working society, widespread social reform.

Samuel “Golden Rule” Jones

Toledo Ohio, introduced free schooling and housing for the poor.

Tom L. Johnson

Cleveland Ohio, cut costs of public transportation, pushed for public control of public utilities.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Fire which killed \`46 employees due to owner negligence.

Jane Addams

Big reform leader: fought for better work and living conditions.

17th Amendment

Law which requires that all U.S. senators be elected by popular vote.

Trustbuster

Used Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Believed in breaking up bad trusts and regulating good trusts. Broke up standard oil trust.

16th Amendment

Law which adds national income tax.

Socialist Party

Called for radical reforms, government ownership of major stuff, nominate Eugene V. Debs for election of 1912.

Progressive Party

Party which forms New Nationalism: protection of workplace, increased voting rights and tariff reduction.

Democratic Party

New Freedom: Criticizes big business as well as powerful government, nominates Woodrow Wilson.