Glossary
16th Amendment
Ratified in 1913, this amendment established the federal income tax, allowing the government to levy a tax on personal incomes.
Example:
The 16th Amendment provided the federal government with a new, significant source of revenue, enabling funding for Progressive programs and reducing wealth inequality.
17th Amendment
Ratified in 1913, this amendment provided for the direct election of U.S. senators by popular vote, rather than by state legislatures.
Example:
The 17th Amendment was a key Progressive reform aimed at making the Senate more democratic and less susceptible to corruption or special interests.
18th Amendment
Ratified in 1919, this amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcoholic beverages, initiating the era of Prohibition.
Example:
The 18th Amendment, driven by temperance movements, reflected a Progressive belief in using government to improve public morality and health.
19th Amendment
Ratified in 1920, this amendment granted women the right to vote across the United States.
Example:
The passage of the 19th Amendment was the culmination of decades of advocacy by the women's suffrage movement, a major victory for democratic expansion.
Atlanta Compromise
A controversial speech given by Booker T. Washington in 1895, proposing that African Americans should focus on economic progress and vocational education rather than immediate social and political equality.
Example:
The Atlanta Compromise was criticized by some, like W.E.B. DuBois, for seemingly accepting racial segregation in exchange for economic opportunity.
Australian Ballot
A secret ballot system, adopted during the Progressive Era, designed to prevent voter intimidation and ensure the privacy of individual votes.
Example:
The introduction of the Australian Ballot made it harder for political bosses to coerce voters, promoting fairer elections.
Booker T. Washington
A prominent African American leader during the Progressive Era who advocated for economic self-sufficiency and vocational training for Black Americans as a path to eventual social equality.
Example:
Booker T. Washington's 'Atlanta Compromise' speech urged Black Americans to focus on economic advancement before demanding immediate civil rights.
Clayton Antitrust Act
Passed in 1914, this act strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act by outlawing specific monopolistic business practices and explicitly protecting labor unions from antitrust prosecution.
Example:
The Clayton Antitrust Act was a more robust tool for breaking up monopolies than its predecessor and was celebrated by labor advocates.
Conservationists
Environmental advocates who believe in the responsible management and sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations, often associated with Theodore Roosevelt.
Example:
Conservationists supported logging and mining, but only if done in a way that ensured the long-term viability of natural resources.
Controlling Public Utilities
A Progressive reform where cities or states took ownership and operation of essential services like water, gas, electricity, and transportation to ensure fair pricing and reliable service.
Example:
Many cities began controlling public utilities to prevent private monopolies from overcharging citizens for essential services like water.
Direct Primaries
A Progressive reform that allows voters to directly choose candidates for general elections, rather than having party bosses or conventions make the selections.
Example:
The shift to direct primaries gave ordinary citizens more power in selecting who would represent their party in an election.
Efficiency
A Progressive ideal focused on optimizing processes and resources to achieve maximum productivity and effectiveness, often applied to government and industry.
Example:
Frederick Winslow Taylor's principles of scientific management were embraced by Progressives who sought to bring efficiency to factory production and municipal services.
Election of 1912
A significant presidential election featuring a four-way race between Taft (Republican), Roosevelt (Progressive/Bull Moose), Wilson (Democrat), and Debs (Socialist), which resulted in Woodrow Wilson's victory due to the Republican split.
Example:
The Election of 1912 highlighted the deep divisions within the Republican Party and the strong public appetite for Progressive reforms.
Expert knowledge
A core belief of Progressives that societal problems could be solved through the application of specialized information and scientific methods by trained professionals.
Example:
Progressives advocated for using expert knowledge from economists and sociologists to design effective urban planning and public health initiatives.
FDA
The Food and Drug Administration, a federal agency created in 1906 to regulate the safety of food, drugs, and cosmetics in the United States.
Example:
The establishment of the FDA marked a significant expansion of federal power in consumer protection.
Federal Reserve
The central banking system of the United States, established by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, responsible for conducting monetary policy and supervising banks.
Example:
The Federal Reserve plays a crucial role in influencing interest rates and controlling the money supply to promote economic stability.
Federal Reserve Act
Enacted in 1913, this act created the Federal Reserve System, establishing a central banking system to manage the nation's monetary policy and regulate the banking industry.
Example:
The Federal Reserve Act aimed to stabilize the financial system and prevent future economic panics by providing a more flexible currency supply.
Government regulation
The use of government authority to control or influence the behavior of individuals or corporations, a key Progressive strategy to address social and economic problems.
Example:
The passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act was a prime example of increased government regulation aimed at protecting public health.
How the Other Half Lives
An influential book by Jacob Riis, published in 1890, that used photojournalism to expose the deplorable living conditions in New York City's tenements.
Example:
How the Other Half Lives shocked many middle-class Americans and spurred housing reforms in urban areas.
Ida M. Tarbell
A prominent muckraker known for her investigative work exposing the monopolistic practices of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company.
Example:
Ida M. Tarbell's detailed exposé on Standard Oil contributed to public support for antitrust legislation.
Initiative
A Progressive political reform that allows citizens to propose new laws directly by gathering signatures on a petition, bypassing the state legislature.
Example:
Through the initiative process, voters in some states can directly place a proposed environmental protection law on the ballot.
Jacob Riis
A photojournalist and muckraker who used photography and writing in 'How the Other Half Lives' to expose the squalid living conditions in New York City tenements.
Example:
Jacob Riis's powerful images in 'How the Other Half Lives' brought the harsh realities of urban poverty to the attention of the middle and upper classes.
Jane Addams
A prominent social reformer and pioneer of the settlement house movement, co-founding Hull House in Chicago to provide social and educational opportunities for immigrants and the poor.
Example:
Jane Addams's work at Hull House exemplified the Progressive commitment to addressing urban poverty and assisting immigrant integration.
John Muir
A prominent preservationist and naturalist who advocated for the protection of wilderness areas and played a key role in the establishment of national parks like Yosemite.
Example:
John Muir's writings and activism were instrumental in inspiring the creation of the National Park System.
Lincoln Steffens
A leading muckraker who specialized in exposing political corruption in American cities, notably in his book 'The Shame of the Cities'.
Example:
Lincoln Steffens's articles revealed how political machines controlled urban governments, prompting calls for municipal reform.
Margaret Sanger
A nurse and activist who championed the birth control movement, advocating for women's reproductive rights and access to contraception, especially for poor women.
Example:
Margaret Sanger's efforts to disseminate information about birth control challenged societal norms and legal restrictions of her time.
Muckrakers
Investigative journalists during the Progressive Era who exposed corruption, social injustices, and corporate abuses to the public.
Example:
Muckrakers like Upton Sinclair used their writing to reveal the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, sparking public outrage.
NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, founded in 1909 by W.E.B. DuBois and others, dedicated to fighting for racial justice and equality through legal challenges and advocacy.
Example:
The NAACP became a leading organization in the struggle for civil rights, using the courts to challenge segregation and discrimination.
National Forest Service
A federal agency established in 1905 under Theodore Roosevelt, responsible for managing the nation's forests and grasslands for multiple uses, including timber, recreation, and wildlife.
Example:
The National Forest Service exemplifies the Progressive commitment to scientific management of natural resources.
National Park Service
A federal agency established in 1916, responsible for managing and preserving all U.S. national parks and most national monuments.
Example:
The National Park Service ensures the protection and public access to iconic natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.
National Parks
Areas of natural beauty or historical significance protected by the federal government for public enjoyment and preservation.
Example:
The creation of numerous National Parks during the Progressive Era reflected a growing awareness of the need to protect America's natural heritage.
New Freedom
Woodrow Wilson's Progressive political platform during the 1912 election, emphasizing business competition, small government, and social justice objectives.
Example:
Wilson's New Freedom differed from Roosevelt's 'New Nationalism' by advocating for breaking up all trusts, not just 'bad' ones.
Northern Securities Company
A railroad trust that was famously broken up by President Theodore Roosevelt using the Sherman Antitrust Act, signaling his commitment to trust busting.
Example:
The Supreme Court's decision to dissolve the Northern Securities Company was a major victory for Roosevelt's antitrust agenda.
Preservationists
Environmental advocates who believe in protecting natural areas from human interference and development, often associated with John Muir.
Example:
Preservationists argued that wilderness areas should remain untouched for their intrinsic value and beauty.
Progressive Era
A period of widespread social activism and political reform across the United States from the 1890s to the 1920s, aimed at addressing problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, and corruption.
Example:
The Progressive Era saw significant changes in government regulation, consumer protection, and efforts to expand democracy.
Pure Food & Drug Act
A landmark 1906 federal law that prohibited the sale of misbranded or adulterated food and drugs, leading to the creation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Example:
The Pure Food & Drug Act was a direct response to public demand for safer consumer products after muckraking exposés.
Recall
A Progressive political reform that enables voters to remove an elected official from office before their term expires through a direct vote.
Example:
If a mayor is widely seen as corrupt or ineffective, citizens might organize a recall election to remove them from office.
Referendum
A Progressive political reform that allows citizens to approve or reject laws passed by the legislature through a popular vote.
Example:
A state legislature's decision to raise taxes might be subject to a referendum, allowing citizens to vote on whether to uphold or overturn it.
Robert La Follette
A leading Progressive politician from Wisconsin, known for his 'Wisconsin Idea' which implemented significant state-level reforms like direct primaries and tax reform.
Example:
Robert La Follette's progressive policies in Wisconsin served as a model for other states seeking to combat corruption and increase government efficiency.
Scientific management
A theory of management that analyzes and synthesizes workflows, aiming to improve economic efficiency, especially labor productivity, often associated with Frederick Winslow Taylor.
Example:
Progressives believed that applying scientific management principles could make government agencies operate more smoothly and effectively, much like a well-run factory.
Sherman Antitrust Act
The first federal law, passed in 1890, to outlaw monopolistic business practices, though it was initially weak and often used against labor unions.
Example:
The Sherman Antitrust Act was the initial legal tool used by the government to challenge large corporate monopolies, though it was later strengthened by the Clayton Act.
Social reform
Organized efforts to improve society by addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and injustice, a central focus of the Progressive movement.
Example:
The establishment of settlement houses like Hull House was a significant act of social reform to aid immigrant communities.
Square Deal
Theodore Roosevelt's domestic policy program, focused on three main goals: consumer protection, control of corporations (trust busting), and conservation of natural resources.
Example:
Roosevelt's intervention in the United Mine Workers Strike was an early demonstration of his commitment to a 'Square Deal' for both labor and capital.
Standard Oil
A powerful oil monopoly founded by John D. Rockefeller, which was a primary target of muckrakers like Ida Tarbell and later broken up by the Supreme Court under antitrust laws.
Example:
The dissolution of Standard Oil into several smaller companies was a landmark achievement of the antitrust movement.
Talented Tenth
A concept promoted by W.E.B. DuBois, arguing that the top 10% of African Americans, through higher education, should lead the fight for civil rights and cultural advancement.
Example:
DuBois believed that the Talented Tenth had a responsibility to uplift the entire African American community through intellectual and political leadership.
The Jungle
A 1906 novel by Upton Sinclair that exposed the horrific working conditions and unsanitary practices in the American meatpacking industry.
Example:
The public outcry following the publication of The Jungle directly led to federal legislation regulating food and drug safety.
Theodore Roosevelt
A Progressive President (1901-1909) known for his 'Square Deal' domestic policy, trust-busting efforts, and significant contributions to conservation.
Example:
Theodore Roosevelt earned the nickname 'trust buster' for his efforts to break up large monopolies like Northern Securities Company.
Trust Busting
The government's policy of breaking up large business monopolies (trusts) to promote competition and prevent unfair business practices, a hallmark of the Progressive Era.
Example:
Theodore Roosevelt's trust busting targeted companies like Standard Oil and Northern Securities, distinguishing between 'good' and 'bad' trusts.
Underwood Tariff Act
A 1913 federal law that significantly lowered tariffs for the first time in decades and included a provision for a federal income tax.
Example:
The Underwood Tariff Act was a key component of Wilson's 'New Freedom' agenda, aiming to reduce the power of monopolies by increasing foreign competition.
United Mine Workers Strike
A major coal strike in 1902 where President Theodore Roosevelt intervened, siding with the workers and threatening to seize the mines, marking a new role for the federal government in labor disputes.
Example:
Roosevelt's handling of the United Mine Workers Strike was a departure from previous presidential approaches, showing a willingness to support labor.
United States v. E. C. Knight Company
A 1895 Supreme Court case that severely limited the federal government's power to regulate monopolies under the Sherman Antitrust Act, ruling that manufacturing was not commerce.
Example:
The United States v. E. C. Knight Company decision highlighted the need for stronger antitrust legislation, which eventually came with the Clayton Act.
Upton Sinclair
A muckraker whose novel 'The Jungle' graphically depicted the unsanitary conditions and exploitation in the meatpacking industry, leading to significant food safety legislation.
Example:
Upton Sinclair's shocking descriptions in 'The Jungle' directly influenced the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act.
W.E.B. DuBois
An influential African American intellectual and activist who co-founded the NAACP and advocated for immediate social and political equality for Black Americans, emphasizing the importance of higher education for the 'Talented Tenth'.
Example:
W.E.B. DuBois challenged Booker T. Washington's approach, arguing that civil rights could not be delayed and that a 'Talented Tenth' should lead the fight for equality.
William Howard Taft
The 27th U.S. President (1909-1913) and later Chief Justice, who continued some Progressive policies but was seen as more conservative than Roosevelt, busting more trusts but without Roosevelt's distinction.
Example:
William Howard Taft's presidency saw significant antitrust actions, though his approach differed from his predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt.
Wisconsin Idea
A package of Progressive reforms developed in Wisconsin under Robert La Follette, including direct primaries, tax reform, and the use of university experts in government.
Example:
The Wisconsin Idea demonstrated how state governments could implement significant democratic and regulatory reforms.
Woodrow Wilson
The 28th U.S. President (1913-1921) who championed the 'New Freedom' Progressive agenda, focusing on tariff reduction, banking reform, and stronger antitrust measures.
Example:
Woodrow Wilson's administration oversaw the creation of the Federal Reserve System and the passage of the Clayton Antitrust Act.