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Progressivism
A movement beginning in the 1800s, and ending in 1917, in response to the social problems brought by industrialization and urbanization. Progressives fought to end corruption in government and business, and worked to bring equal rights of women and other groups.
Their goals were to improve:
Politics by using new ideas to increase democracy — the people’s power to cause change in the government—, involve citizens more directly in government decision-making processes, and increase government efficiency.
Business by regulating businesses and protecting workers and consumers.
Society by making life safer and more comfortable.
Progressives were often educated, middle-class citizens, muckrakers, and social workers.
Progressivism increased both the government’s intervention in economics and social issues and the people’s expectation of that intervention.
However, progressivism failed to address racial discrimination.
Muckrakers
Writers or journalists of the early 1900s who publicized problems caused by urbanization to encourage government involvement to solve those problems.
Popular Muckrakers were:
Jacob Riis, who publicized poor living conditions in urban environments.
Ida Tarbell, who publicized unfair business policies and trusts — often criticizing Rockefeller.
Lincoln Steffers, who publicized municipal corruption — specifically William Meager “Boss” Tweed.
John Spargo, who publicized child labor.
Upton Sinclair, who publicized unsanitary conditions in the meat-packing industry.
Helen Hunt Jackson, who publicized the poor treatment of Native Americans.
Ida B. Wells, who publicized the common practice of lynching African Americans.
Social Gospel
Movement that taught a code of social responsibility, which emphasized caring for the less fortunate with the goal of helping the middle class overcome problems of industrialization.
The Social Gospel was essentially an adaptation of the Gospel of Wealth to anyone that could help society.
Settlement Houses
Houses in poor neighborhoods inhabited by well-educated, middle class citizens where social services, such as education and resources for finding jobs, were provided for the neighborhood. Settlement houses mainly helped kids and immigrants.
The first Settlement House was the Hull House which was founded in Chicago in 1889 by Jane Addams.
Settlement House workers and social workers advocated for better schools, juvenile courts, liberalized divorce laws, and safety regulations for tenements and factories during the Progressive era.
Direct Primary
The process of nominating a party’s candidates for office through a special election of that party’s voters choosing, created by Robert La Follette in 1903.
Previously, U.S. senators were appointed by state legislature, leading to corruption.
The 17th amendment, ratified in 1913, required the direct election of senators in all states.
Initiative
The procedure whereby voters can, through petition, propose legislation directly to the electorate — all the people in a country who are entitled to vote.
Referendum
The submission of a law, proposed or already in effect, to a direct popular vote for approval or rejection.
Recall
A procedure for removing an official from office through popular election or other means.
Who proposed initiative, referendum, and recall and at what level of government?
Governor Robert La Follette of Wisconsin proposed initiative, referendum, and recall at the state level.
Commission Plan
A system in local governments where voters elect the heads of city departments.
Manger-Council Plan
A system where an expert manager is hired by an elected city council to direct the work of the various city departments, thereby increasing the efficiency of the local government.
National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA)
An association, beginning in the late 1800s and ending in the early 1900s, founded by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, and led by Carrie Chapman Catt, with the goal of gaining a women’s suffrage amendment to the U.S. constitution.
Other leaders for women’s suffrage include:
Lucretia Mott.
Julia Ward Howe.
Alice Paul (National Women’s Party).
Women fought for suffrage through nonviolent civil disobedience such as hunger strikes, picketing, marches, and speeches.
The 19th amendment, ratified in 1920, guaranteed women’s right to vote in all elections at all levels of government.
After the 19th amendment was ratified, women worked to secure equality in education, the professions, and property rights.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
An organization dedicated to fighting racial discrimination and working to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality of African Americans and other marginalized communities.
The NAACP garnered legal support for the rights of African Americans and other marginalized communities.
What was the Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois debate and how did it hinder African Americans’ progress toward equality during the Progressive era?
Booker T. Washington, a former slave from the South, believed that only after establishing a secure economic base could African Americans gain respect and equality.
W.E.B. Du Bois, a northerner, believed that political and social rights were a prerequisite to economic independence and the top 10% of African American students should become leaders to lead other African Americans.
This debate divided African Americans, slowing their progress toward equality.
What efforts were made against child labor during the Progressive era?
The National Child Labor Committee passed child labor laws in two-thirds of the states by 1907.
Compulsory education laws kept children out of the workforce and in schools.
President William Howard Taft’s Children’s Bureau investigated child labor abuses.
The Child Labor Act (1916) prohibited the shipment in interstate commerce of goods manufactured by children under 14 years old.
Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)
An act that prohibited trusts and anything that restrains trade or commerce. Because the act was very vague, companies found loopholes to get around it.
In U.S. v. E.C. Knight Co. (1895), the Supreme Court ruled that the act only applied to commerce, not manufacturing.
President Theodore Roosevelt upheld the Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890) by distinguishing “good trusts,” which dominated markets through efficiency and low prices, from “bad trusts,” which harmed the public and stifled competition.
President William Howard Taft busted more trusts than Roosevelt. However, he did not distinguish “good trusts” and “bad trusts.”
What years did Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency span?
1901-1909
Square Deal
An economic policy by President Theodore Roosevelt that favored fair relationships between companies and workers.
Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)
A commission, established by the Interstate Commerce Act (1887) after the Supreme Court ruled that individual states could not regulate interstate commerce in Wabash v. Illinois (1887), which had the power to investigate and prosecute pools and discriminatory practices made by railroad companies.
Elkins Act (1903)
An act that gave the ICC greater authority to stop railroads from granting rebates to favored customers.
Hepburn Act (1906)
An act that
Restricted railroad “free passes.”
Allowed the ICC to fix “just and reasonable” rates for railroads and nullify existing railroad rates.
Expanded the ICC to include in its powers the prosecution of express companies, sleeping-car companies, and pipelines.
Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)
An act of Congress, passed in response to Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, to inspect and regulate the labeling of all foods and pharmaceuticals intended for human consumption. This act forbade the manufacturing, sale, and transportation of adulterated or mislabeled foods and drugs, and granted more protections for consumers.
Meat Inspection Act (1906)
An act, passed in response to Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, that provided that federal inspectors visit meatpacking plants to ensure they met minimum standards of sanitation.
The Forest Reserve Act (1891) and the Forest Management Act (1897)
Acts that withdrew federal timberlands from development and regulated their use.
Newlands Recreation Act (1902)
An act that provided money, from the sale of public lands, for irrigation projects in Western States.
National Parks
Parks created by the government to preserve and protect the land and its resources.
What years did William Howard Taft’s presidency span?
1909-1913
Mann-Elkins Act (1910)
An act that gave the ICC the power to suspend new railroad rates and to oversee telephone and telegraph companies.
What did William Howard Taft do for Conservation?
Established the Bureau of Mines.
Added large tracts of land in the Appalachians to the National Forest Reserve.
Set aside federal oil lands.
Progressive “Bull Moose” Party
A political party formed by Theodore Roosevelt for the Election of 1912, attempting to advance progressive ideas.
New Nationalism
The Progressive “Bull Moose” Party’s platform that favored a more active government role in economic and social affairs.
They wanted:
Consolidation of trusts and labor unions,
Growth of powerful regulatory agencies in Washington,
Women’s suffrage,
Social welfare programs (minimum wage laws and socialistic social insurance)
New Freedom
Woodrow Wilson’s idea in the Election of 1912 to limit big business and big government, end corruption to bring reform, and revive competition by supporting small businesses.
What years did Woodrow Willson’s presidency span?
1913-1921
Underwood Tariff Act (1913)
An act that substantially lowered tariffs.
To compensate for the reduced tariff revenues, President Woodrow Willson proposed a graduated income tax with rates from 1-6%.
16th Amendment
An amendment ratified in 1913 that authorized the U.S. to collect an income tax which gave the government more money to spend on social issues.
Federal Reserve Act (1914)
An act that eliminated metal-backed currency and proposed a national banking system composed of 12 district banks supervised by a Federal Reserve Board appointed by the President, created to provide stability and flexibility to the U.S. financial system by regulating interest rates and the capital reserves required of banks.
This act allowed the government to create money it didn’t always have, leading to inflation.
Federal Trade Commission
A commission established in 1914 that protected consumers by investigating and prosecuting any “unfair trade practices” in any industry besides banking and transportation.
Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914)
An act that strengthened the power of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890) to break up monopolies, and exempted labor unions from being prosecuted as a trust.
18th Amendment
An amendment, ratified in 1919, which prohibited the manufacturing, distribution, and transportation of alcohol, created to protect Americans from the dangers of alcohol.
Socialism
A political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community rather than individuals.
Eugene V. Debs led the Socialist Party during the Progressive era.
They advocated for:
Eight-hour workday,
Pensions for employees,
Public ownership of utilities,
Minimum wage laws,
Worker’s compensation insurance.
Imperialism
The practice of extending the influence of a country over another through diplomacy or force.
The main reasons the U.S. joined the imperialist club were:
Commercial/Business Interests: to use foreign affairs to find new markets and increase exports, thereby increasing U.S. foreign investment.
Military/Strategic Interests: Alfred T. Mahan wrote in his book, The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890), how a strong Navy is necessary to securing foreign markets and becoming a world power. His teachings were implored by the U.S. government during the Progressive era.
Social Darwinism: people wanted to spread white culture to other races, believing white culture superior.
Religious/Missionary interests: Protestant Americans felt they had a Christian duty to spread Christianity and Western Civilization.
Expansion/Closing the American Fronteir.
Social Darwinism
The application of Charles Darwin’s concept of Survival of the Fittest to society, used to justify racial discrimination.
The book The Hierarchy of Race ranked races by their value, placing whites at the top of the hierarchy, and implored whites to spread white culture since it is the “White Man’s Burden” to do so.
What events led to the annexation of Hawaii?
In the late 1820s, U.S. missionaries established the Imiola Church.
In 1849, Hawaii became a U.S. Protectorate.
In 1875, Hawaii gave the exclusive rights of Hawaiian sugar to the U.S..
In 1887, Hawaii leased Pearl Harbor to the U.S. in exchange for better tariffs.
In 1893, American businessmen led an uprising against Queen Liliuokalani, leading to her exile.
In 1894, Sandford Ballard Dole proclaims the Republic of Hawaii.
In 1898, Hawaii is annexed as a U.S. territory.
In 1959, Hawaii gained statehood.
“Seward’s Folley” and the Importance of Alaska
After purchasing Alaska from Russia, Secretary of State Howard H. Seward (1861-1869) was shunned by the American public.
Later it was discovered that Alaska had many resources — such as oil, timber, fish, copper, and gold —, was a major oil supplier, and was a strategic location to defend the nation.
Extractive Economies
A colony where the colonizing country removed raw materials and wealth and shipped them back home to benefit its own economy.
Monroe Doctrine (1823)
A doctrine that warned European nations that the U.S. would not tolerate colonization efforts in the Western hemisphere.
What was going on in Cuba during the start of the imperial efforts of the U.S.?
Cubans began burning plantations with the goal of forcing Spain to leave or U.S. involvement. In response, General Valeriano Weyler was sent from Spain to enact a “Reconcentration” Policy where many Cubans were starved.
Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst, and Frederick Remington used yellow journalism and jingoism to gain support for intervention in Cuba.
Yellow Journalism
A form of propaganda involving the printing of sensationalized and exaggerated stories characterized by eye-catching headlines, scandal-mongering, and misleading information.
Jingoism
An intense form of nationalism calling for an aggressive foreign policy.
De Lome Letter (1898)
A letter sent to the U.S. and written by Spanish ambassador Depuy de Lome criticizing President McKinley for being “weak and a bidder for the admiration of the crowd.”
U.S.S. Maine
A ship stationed in the mouth of the harbor at Havana, Cuba as a threat to the Spanish for sending the De Lome Letter. The ship exploded, increasing public uproar in favor of a war with Spain.
“Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain.”
Teller Amendment (April 20, 1898)
An amendment which authorized the President to enact war with Spain and stated the U.S. would recognize Cuban Independence, demand withdrawal of Spain from Cuba, and not control Cuba.
The Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American war began in May, 1898 and ended in August, 1898.
In the Philippines, Commodore George Dewey blockaded the Manila Harbor and overpowered the Spanish with the help of Filipino leader Emilio Aguinaldo.
In Cuba, a blockade was established surrounding the territory and rough riders helped overpower the Spanish.
Rough Riders
A regiment of American volunteer soldiers commanded by Colonel Leonard Wood and organized by Theodore Roosevelt. They charged up San Juan Hill in Cuba during the Spanish American war.
Treaty of Paris (1898)
A treaty which ended the Spanish-American War and required
Cuban Independence,
U.S. acquisition of Puerto Rico and Guam,
U.S. to pay $20 mil for the Philippines.
This treaty also led to the U.S. being viewed as an imperial power.
Platt Amendment (1903)
An amendment that required Cuba to agree to
Never sign a treaty with a foreign power that impaired its independence,
Permit the U.S. to intervene in Cuba’s affairs to maintain an efficient, independent government,
Allow the U.S. to maintain naval bases, such as the one in Guantanamo Bay, in Cuba,
Never build up an excessive public debt.
Insurrection
Act or instance of revolting against civil authorities or an established government.
Filipinos led an insurrection using Guerrilla Warfare to fight for their independence.
Guerrilla Warfare
Form of irregular combat in which small, mobile groups of armed citizens (irregulars) use hit-and-run tactics to engage a larger, less-mobile traditional military force.
Spheres of Influence
Areas or regions where a foreign power has significant influence over political, economic, or cultural affairs, often without direct territorial control.
Open Door Policy (1899)
A U.S. policy toward China under which all nations would have equal trading privileges in China in exchange for the U.S. to protect Chinese sovereignty.
This policy shaped how future administrations dealt with China.
The Society of Harmonious Fists/The Society of Boxers
A group of Chinese nationalists who attacked foreigners in the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, causing U.S. troops to break them up and demand China pay a huge indemnity.
The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty (1901)
A treaty which cancelled the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (1850), which required any bridge built in Central America to be under joint British-U.S. control.
Why did Roosevelt orchestrate a revolution in Panama?
Roosevelt started a revolution in Panama to overthrow Columbia, thereby allowing the U.S. to begin building the Panama canal.
Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty (1903)
A treaty that gave the U.S. rights to a 51-mile-long and 10-mile-wide Canal Zone, alllowing the U.S. to begin building the Panama Canal.
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