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.