Progressive Era
Jacob Riis
Riis was a journalist and photographer who showed the harsh reality of crowded, dirty slums in big cities. His photos and writing, especially in How the Other Half Lives, made many Americans aware of how badly poor people lived and pushed the government to improve housing and clean up cities.
Robert La Follette
A strong political leader from Wisconsin, La Follette fought against government corruption and the control big businesses had over politics. He pushed for laws that made elections fairer and protected workers’ rights.
Upton Sinclair
Sinclair wrote the novel The Jungle, which revealed the disgusting and unsafe conditions in meatpacking factories. His work led to important laws that regulate food safety to protect consumers.
Carrie Nation
She was a radical activist against alcohol, known for smashing bars to stop people from drinking. Her efforts supported the movement that led to Prohibition, banning alcohol.
Booker T. Washington
Washington believed Black Americans should earn respect and improve their lives by learning trades and working hard, accepting segregation for the time being.
W.E.B. Du Bois
Du Bois disagreed with Washington, arguing that Black Americans should fight immediately for equal political rights and higher education.
Gifford Pinchot
Pinchot was an early environmentalist who worked to protect forests and use natural resources wisely to benefit everyone.
Ida B. Wells
A courageous journalist who fought against lynching and racial injustice by exposing these crimes to the public.
Frank Norris
Norris wrote novels that showed how powerful companies took advantage of workers and farmers, revealing corruption and unfair business practices.
Ida Tarbell
A famous muckraker who investigated and exposed the corrupt business methods of the Standard Oil Company, leading to government action against monopolies.
John Dewey
An important educator who promoted teaching students by actively engaging them with problems and critical thinking, rather than rote memorization.
Jane Addams
Founder of Hull House, a community center that helped immigrants with education, jobs, and social services, improving lives in poor neighborhoods.
Important Laws and Amendments
Meat Inspection Act (1906)
Made sure meat factories were clean and that meat was safe to eat, after Sinclair’s The Jungle shocked the public.
Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)
Required honest labels on food and medicine and stopped dangerous products from being sold, forming the basis of today’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
The government agency that watches over food and medicine to keep them safe for the public.
16th Amendment (1913)
Allowed the government to collect income tax directly from people to pay for public programs and services.
18th Amendment (1919)
Banned the sale and use of alcohol (Prohibition), aiming to reduce social problems caused by drinking.
19th Amendment (1920)
Gave women the right to vote, a major win for women’s rights.
Children’s Bureau (1912)
A government office set up to protect children’s welfare, fight child labor, and improve health and education for kids.
Mann-Elkins Act (1910)
Gave the government more power to control railroads and communication companies to make them fairer.
Clayton Antitrust Act (1914)
Strengthened laws that prevented big companies from using unfair practices to control markets, also protecting workers’ rights to organize.
Federal Reserve Act (1913)
Created the Federal Reserve, the central bank that controls America’s money supply and works to keep banks stable.
Progressive Presidents
• Theodore Roosevelt: Known for breaking up big trusts, protecting nature, and improving consumer safety.
• William Howard Taft: Continued trust-busting but was less popular.
• Woodrow Wilson: Passed major reforms like the Federal Reserve and stronger antitrust laws.
What Was the Progressive Era?
The Progressive Era (1890s to 1920s) was a time when many Americans worked to fix the problems caused by big businesses, poor living conditions, and unfair government. They wanted more fairness in business, better living and working conditions, more honest government, and greater rights for people, including women and workers. Their work helped make America a more just and modern society.