The Populists & Progressive Eras Test Review Flash Cards

The Grange

Organization for farmers that taught new farming methods, pushed for regulation of railroad and grain elevator rates, and encouraged farmer cooperatives.

Populist Party

Grassroots party that called for bimetallism (expand money supply), public ownership of railroads & telegraphs, and direct election of senators.

William Jennings Bryan

Four time Democratic presidential candidate known for supporting Populist goals; famous for his “Cross of Gold” speech.

William McKinley

1896 Republican candidate who opposed Populist ideas, backed the gold standard and laissez-faire government.

“Cross of Gold” Speech

Speech by Bryan attacking the gold standard and arguing for free silver to inflate currency, aligning Populist ideas with Democrats.

Progressivism

Reform movement that responded to problems from industrialization, urbanization, and corruption, believing government should enforce reforms.

Third Party

Political party in the U.S. other than the two dominant ones (Democrator or Republican).

16th Amendment

Authorizes Congress to collect income taxes on individuals and corporations.

17th Amendment

Provides for direct election of U.S. senators by the people rather than state legislatures.

18th Amendment

Banned manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcohol (but not private consumption).

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote nationwide.

Initiative

Allows citizens to propose a law and put it on the ballot directly.

Referendum

Lets citizens approve or reject laws passed by the legislature via direct vote.

Recall

Allows voters to remove an elected official before their term ends.

Direct Primary

Election where citizens, not party leaders, vote for their party’s candidates.

Bull Moose Party

Nickname for the Progressive Party in 1912 led by Theodore Roosevelt; split the Republican vote.

Square Deal

Roosevelt’s policy focusing on consumer protection, regulation of corporations, and conservation.

National Park Service

Federal agency created under Wilson to manage and preserve national parks and monuments.

Clayton Antitrust Act

Strengthened antitrust laws and protected workers’ rights against unfair business practices.

Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

Limited child labor hours and banned interstate sale of goods made by child labor.

Muckrakers

Journalists who exposed corruption in business and government during the Progressive Era.

Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

Prohibited sale of misbranded food and drugs; led to creation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle

Exposed unsanitary meatpacking conditions; inspired food safety laws.

Ida Tarbell

Investigative journalist who exposed Standard Oil’s monopolistic practices.

Jacob Riis - How the Other Half Lives

Photographer who exposed urban poverty and poor living conditions in New York City slums.

Dorothea Dix

Reformer who fought for better treatment of the mentally ill.

Jane Addams

Social reformer who led Hull House to help immigrants and the poor.

Hull House (settlement houses)

Community centers offering education and services for immigrants.

Booker T. Washington

Educator who promoted vocational training and economic self-reliance before legal equality.

W.E.B. Du Bois

Scholar who demanded immediate equality and co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Civil rights organization focused on legal challenges to discrimination.

Ida B. Wells

Anti-lynching journalist who advocated for African American women’s rights.

Susan B. Anthony

Leader of the woman’s suffrage movement that led to the 19th Amendment.

Temperance Movement

Movement advocating abstinence from alcohol, leading to Prohibition.

Lincoln Steffens

Muckraker who exposed corruption in city governments through “The Shame of the Cities”.

Social Gospel

Religious movement urging Christians to address social injustices and poverty.

What effect do third parties most often have on American elections?

They influence major parties by introducing new issues and shaping platforms.

Compare Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois’ methods for achieving equality.

Washington promoted education and hard work; Du Bois demanded immediate civil rights.

What was the purpose of the New lands Reclamation Act of the 1902?

To fund irrigation projects and make western lands productive.

What issues did muckrakers focus on?

They exposed corruption, unsafe conditions, and social injustices.

What did the Sixteenth Amendment do?

It created a federal income tax that increased government revenue.

Why did Theodore Roosevelt expand the National Park System?

To conserve resources and protect nature for future generations.

What issues did women like Ida Tarbell and Jane Addams address?

Tarbell fought monopolies; Addams worked for social reform and aid to the poor.

What was significant about the election of 1920?

It was the first election with women voters and marked a return to conservatism.

What was the effect of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle?

It exposed unsafe meatpacking practices and led to food safety laws.

What was the goal of muckrakers?

To expose corruption and inspire reform.

What was the goal of the Seventeenth Amendment?

To make government more democratic through direct election of senators.

What issues did the Populists want to fix?

Economic reform for farmers, including railroad regulation and silver coinage.

How did W.E.B. Du Bois’s writing affect views on racial inequality?

They challenged racism and promoted civil rights awareness.

Who benefited from the Nineteenth Amendment?

Women, who gained the right to vote.

Why was the Socialist Party’s rise significant?

It showed worker frustration and pushed labor reforms.

Which amendment banned alcohol production and sale?

The Eighteenth Amendment.

Why were initiative, recall and referendum created?

To give citizens more control over government actions.

What did women like Stanton and Anthony achieve?

They helped women win the right to vote.

What did Plessy v. Ferguson legalize?

Racial segregation under “separate but equal.”

What kind of parties were the Populists and Progressives?

Third parties that promoted major reforms.