APUSH Quiz 2/7

📖 American Pageant (pp. 544-577) Summary

These pages cover the progressive reforms of the early 20th century, the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson, and America’s entry into World War I.

1. The Progressive Era (1901–1917)

• Progressivism: A reform movement that aimed to curb corruption, regulate big business, and address social problems caused by industrialization and urbanization.

• Muckrakers: Journalists who exposed corruption and societal issues.

  • Ida Tarbell – Exposed Standard Oil’s unfair business practices.

  • Upton Sinclair – The Jungle (1906), revealed the horrors of the meatpacking industry.

  • Lincoln Steffens – The Shame of the Cities (1904), exposed urban political corruption.

Key Progressive Reforms

• Political Reforms:

  • Initiative, Referendum, Recall – Gave citizens more power over laws and elected officials.

  • 17th Amendment (1913) – Direct election of U.S. senators.

  • Secret Ballot – Reduced political machine influence.

• Economic Reforms:

  • Trust-busting – Breaking up monopolies to promote competition.

  • 16th Amendment (1913) – Established federal income tax.

• Social Reforms:

  • 18th Amendment (1919) – Prohibition of alcohol.

  • 19th Amendment (1920) – Women's suffrage.

2. Theodore Roosevelt's Presidency (1901–1909)

• "Square Deal" – Roosevelt’s domestic policy focusing on the Three Cs:

  • Control of Corporations – Enforced the Sherman Antitrust Act, broke up Northern Securities Company (1902).

  • Consumer Protection – Passed Meat Inspection Act (1906) and Pure Food and Drug Act (1906).

  • Conservation – Created national parks and expanded federal protection of land.

• Coal Strike of 1902 – Roosevelt intervened, marking the first time the government sided with labor rather than business.

• Roosevelt Corollary (1904) – An addition to the Monroe Doctrine, stating the U.S. could intervene in Latin America to stabilize the region.

3. William Howard Taft's Presidency (1909–1913)

• More Trust-Busting than Roosevelt – Broke up Standard Oil (1911) and U.S. Steel.

• Payne-Aldrich Tariff (1909) – Raised tariffs, angering Progressives.

• Dollar Diplomacy – Encouraged U.S. investment in Latin America to expand influence.

• Split with Roosevelt – Roosevelt was disappointed with Taft’s policies and ran against him in 1912.

4. Election of 1912

• Candidates:

  • Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) – Progressive, anti-monopoly, pro-government regulation.

  • Theodore Roosevelt (Progressive/"Bull Moose" Party) – Advocated New Nationalism (strong government regulation).

  • William Howard Taft (Republican) – More conservative, lost support.

  • Eugene V. Debs (Socialist) – Advocated for labor rights and socialism.

• Outcome: Wilson won due to the Republican split between Roosevelt and Taft.

5. Woodrow Wilson’s Presidency (1913–1921)

• "New Freedom" Program – Wilson’s progressive reform agenda.

  • Underwood Tariff (1913) – Lowered tariffs.

  • Federal Reserve Act (1913) – Created the modern banking system, controlling money supply.

  • Clayton Antitrust Act (1914) – Strengthened antitrust laws, protecting labor unions from being prosecuted as monopolies.

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC, 1914) – Prevented unfair business practices.

6. America and World War I (1914–1918)

• Neutrality Policy – Wilson initially kept the U.S. out of WWI.

• Causes for U.S. Entry (1917):

  1. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare – Germany’s U-boats attacked American ships.

  2. Zimmermann Telegram (1917) – Germany urged Mexico to attack the U.S.

  3. Economic Ties – U.S. had stronger economic connections with Britain and France.

• Wilson’s War Message (April 1917) – Framed war as a fight for democracy: “The world must be made safe for democracy.”

7. Key WWI Events and Policies

• Selective Service Act (1917) – Required military draft.

• War Industries Board – Controlled production to support war efforts.

• Espionage & Sedition Acts (1917-1918) – Restricted speech criticizing the government or war effort.

• Great Migration – Large movement of African Americans from the South to Northern cities for jobs.

8. Wilson’s Fourteen Points & Treaty of Versailles (1919)

• Wilson’s Fourteen Points – Wilson’s vision for post-war peace, including:

  • League of Nations – International peacekeeping organization.

  • Self-Determination – Right of nations to govern themselves.

  • Free Trade & Open Diplomacy – No secret alliances.

• Treaty of Versailles (1919) –

  • Blamed Germany for war (War Guilt Clause).

  • Imposed harsh reparations.

  • Created League of Nations (but U.S. did not join due to opposition in Congress).