#AP US History: The Progressive Era - Your Ultimate Study Guide

Hey there, future AP US History master! Let's dive into the Progressive Era, a time of big changes and even bigger contradictions. Think of it as America trying to fix its messy house after the Gilded Age party. We'll make sure you're not just memorizing facts, but understanding the why behind it all. Let's get started!

#1. The Progressive Mindset: Cleaning Up the Gilded Age Mess

• What was their goal? To fix the problems of the Gilded Age: corruption, inequality, and social injustice.
• Who were they? Middle and upper-class, often college-educated, and many were women! They were the original social justice warriors, but with some serious blind spots.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Belief in efficiency and scientific management.
  • Desire for government regulation and social reform.
  • A mix of genuine idealism and unconscious bias.

#2. Muckrakers: Exposing the Dirt

These were the investigative journalists of their day, digging up the dirt and showing everyone the problems that needed fixing. Think of them as the original whistleblowers. 📰

#2.1. Impact of Muckrakers

• Jacob Riis's How the Other Half Lives used photojournalism to expose the harsh realities of tenement life. His work made the upper classes aware of the conditions of the poor.

  
  • Caption: Jacob Riis's photograph of a tenement, highlighting the crowded and unsanitary living conditions. This powerful image helped to fuel the Progressive movement by exposing the stark realities of urban poverty.

• Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, though aimed at exposing the exploitation of workers, shocked the public with its descriptions of the meatpacking industry. This led to the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1907 and the creation of the FDA.

#3. Political Changes: Making Government Work for the People

Progressives pushed for reforms to make government more democratic and responsive to the people. They wanted to take power away from corrupt politicians and give it back to the voters. 🏛️

#3.1. State Level Progressivism: The Wisconsin Idea

• Robert La Follette in Wisconsin was a model of state-level reform. His "Wisconsin Idea" included direct primaries, tax reform, and state regulatory commissions. 💡

  
  • Caption: Robert La Follette, a key figure in state-level Progressive reforms, particularly in Wisconsin. His "Wisconsin Idea" became a model for other states.

#3.2. National Level Progressivism: Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal

• Theodore Roosevelt became president after McKinley's assassination and pushed for a "Square Deal" for labor and business. He was the OG trust buster! 💪
  • Three Parts of the Square Deal:
    • Consumer Protection
    • Business and Labor Regulation (including trust busting)
    • Conservation

#3.3. United Mine Workers Strike

• Roosevelt intervened in the United Mine Workers Strike of 1902, siding with the workers and threatening to seize the mines. This was a major win for labor and a sign of Roosevelt's Progressive approach.

#3.4. Trust Busting

• Roosevelt used the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up large monopolies, earning him the nickname "trust buster." He distinguished between "good" and "bad" trusts. He went after companies like Northern Securities Company and Standard Oil.

• The Clayton Antitrust Act (1914) strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act and explicitly protected unions. It was passed in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in United States v. E. C. Knight Company that weakened the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.

#4. Conservation: Protecting the Environment

Progressives also focused on protecting the environment, but they had different approaches. 🌳

• Preservationists like John Muir wanted to protect wilderness areas from human interference.

• Conservationists like Theodore Roosevelt wanted to manage natural resources responsibly.

• Both supported the creation of national parks. Presidents like Roosevelt and Wilson created agencies like the National Forest Service and the National Park Service.

  
  • Caption: Theodore Roosevelt, a key figure in the conservation movement, with his iconic knife. He believed in the responsible use of natural resources and established numerous national parks and forests.

#5. Taft's Presidency: A Mixed Bag

• William Howard Taft, Roosevelt's successor, continued some Progressive policies, but he was less popular and more conservative than Roosevelt. He busted almost twice as many trusts as Roosevelt, but he didn't distinguish between "good" and "bad" trusts, which angered Roosevelt. He would later become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. ⚖️

#6. The Election of 1912: A Four-Way Race

• The 1912 election was a showdown between Taft (Republican), Roosevelt (Progressive/Bull Moose), and Wilson (Democrat). The Republican party split between Taft and Roosevelt, which allowed Wilson to win the presidency. 🗳️

• Key Takeaway: The split in the Republican party led to a Democratic victory.

#7. Wilson's Progressive Program: The New Freedom

• Woodrow Wilson's program, called the New Freedom, emphasized business competition and small government. He also supported social justice objectives. 🕊️

#8. Racial Divisions: The Dark Side of Progressivism

Progressives were not always progressive when it came to race. Some supported segregation, while others ignored it. This is a crucial point to remember for the exam. 💔

• Some Progressives supported Southern segregation and racist immigration restrictions. Some pushed for literacy tests to limit voting rights for minorities and immigrants.
• Booker T. Washington advocated for economic success first, then social equality (Atlanta Compromise).
• W.E.B. DuBois demanded immediate social equality and helped found the NAACP. He also advocated for a Talented Tenth to lead the African American community.

#Final Exam Focus

Okay, you've made it through the Progressive Era! Here's what you absolutely need to know for the exam:

• Key Themes:
  • Government regulation and reform
  • The role of muckrakers
  • The push for democracy
  • The contradictions of progressivism (especially regarding race)
• High-Priority Topics:
  • The 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th Amendments
  • Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal
  • The Sherman and Clayton Antitrust Acts
  • The Federal Reserve Act
  • The different approaches to conservation and racial equality
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple-choice questions on specific reforms and their impacts
  • Short-answer questions comparing different Progressive leaders or approaches
  • Free-response questions analyzing the successes and failures of the Progressive Era

#Practice Questions

Okay, let's put your knowledge to the test with some practice questions!

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which of the following was NOT a goal of the Progressive movement? (A) Promoting government regulation of business (B) Expanding voting rights (C) Reducing wealth inequality (D) Ending racial segregation

2. Which of the following best describes the impact of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle? (A) It led to the passage of the Sherman Antitrust Act. (B) It exposed the corruption of political machines. (C) It prompted the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act. (D) It resulted in the creation of the Federal Reserve System.

3. The 1912 presidential election is significant because it: (A) Solidified the Democratic Party's dominance for the next several decades. (B) Demonstrated the strength of the Socialist Party in the United States. (C) Resulted in the first time a third-party candidate won the presidency. (D) Showed the impact of a split in the Republican Party.

Short Answer Question:

Briefly explain the differences between the approaches of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois in addressing racial inequality during the Progressive Era.

Free Response Question:

Analyze the extent to which the Progressive Era was successful in achieving its goals of political, social, and economic reform. In your response, be sure to consider both the successes and limitations of the movement.

Scoring Rubric for FRQ

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a thesis that makes a historically defensible claim and responds to all parts of the question.
• Contextualization (1 point): Describes a broader historical context relevant to the Progressive Era.
• Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples of political, social, and economic reforms of the Progressive Era. Includes at least one example of both a success and a limitation of the Progressive Era.
• Analysis and Reasoning (2 points): Explains the extent to which the Progressive Era was successful in achieving its goals, using evidence to support the argument. Demonstrates an understanding of the complexities and contradictions of the era.
• Synthesis (1 point): Extends the argument by explaining connections between the Progressive Era and another historical period, or by connecting the Progressive Era to a different historical concept.

You've got this! Remember, the Progressive Era was a time of great change and complexity. By understanding the key themes, leaders, and reforms, you'll be well-prepared for the AP exam. Good luck, and go ace that test! 🚀