The Progressive Era

1890-1920 (roughly)

Jim Crow Laws

Racist laws to maintain white supremacy and enforce strict segregation between Black and white people after the abolition of slavery.

Progressives

Believed that an honest government and just laws would improve human condition.

Social Gospel

Combined Protestant religion and humanitarian work.

Muchrakers

Wanted reform in government and big business. Regulation of business exploiting workers, government more active role.

Middle Class Women

Proponents of social charity.

Jane Addams

Founded the Hull House in Chicago, it was a settlement house.

Suffragettes

Politically active in seeking rights for workers.

W.E.B DuBois

Wanted advancements and equal rights for African Americans. Founding member of NAACP. Demanded immediate political equality, civil rights, and higher education, arguing that economic gains were worthless without voting rights and equality.

Booker T Washington

Focused on "accommodation," advocating for vocational education, economic self-reliance, and patience to gradually earn rights. Economic independence via farming and trade skills.

Temperance

Degradation of social morals (drinking, prostitution, poverty no ethics)

Bob Lafollette

Leading progressive, fought for farmers, women, laborers, and small businessmen.

Pendleton Act

Appointing government employees/officials on competitive examinations not patronage.

Initative

Citizens propose legislation (through petitions) and place issues directly on a ballot (citizens vote)

Referendum

Government proposes legislation and the people vote on it.

Recall

Un-elect an official for not doing their job, special elections.

Secret Ballot

Select choices on a ballot in secret (behind curtain), no voter intimidation

Teddy Roosevelt

President, progressive movement grows under him

3 Cs

Concersation of natural resources, control of corporations, consumer protection.

Square Deal

Progressive policy by Roosevelt (3 Cs, Sherman Anti-Trust, ICC)

Bully Pulpit

How TR viewed presidency, authority- speak out on any issue

Elkins Act

Gave ICC greater authority to stop railroads from granting rebates.

The Hepburn act

extended ICC authority and authorized ICC to set maximum railroad rates.

Pure Food and Drug Act / Meat Inspection Act

Regulate food inspection and sanitation. TR read Upton Sinclair’s book The Jungle and it influenced his decision.

Trust Buster

broke up many trusts, enforced Sherman- Antitrust Act

Manns Elkins Act

Gave ICC power to suspend new railroad rates and oversee telephone, telegraph, and cable companies.

Federal Reserve Act

Created monetary system, stable financial system, US dollar.

Clayton Anti Trust act

Strengthened Sherman Antitrust Act, exempt unions from being prosecuted as trusts.

Federal Trade Commission

Investigate and take action against unfair trade practice. Every industry except banking and transportation

Child Labor Act

prohibited shipment of interstate commerce of products manufactured by children under 14, eventually ruled unconstitutional by supreme court.

16th Amendment

Grants Congress the power to levy an income tax without dividing it amoung states or population.

17th Amendment

Direct election of Senators by popular vote

18th Amendment

Prohibited sale or manufacturing of alcohol

19th Amendment

Prohibits denial of right to vote based on sex (no gender discrimmination)

Populists

Addressed problems of the IR impacting farmers. William Jennings Bryan ran as Democrat incorporating populist ideals, faded after he lost the election.

Federal Reserve Act of 1914

Granted the legal authority to issue Federal Reserve Notes (now the US dollar). Crated a monetary system that could respond effectively to different stresses in the banking systenm, created a stable financial system. Wilson proposed.