Key Concepts and Figures of the Progressive Era and Early 20th Century
Economic and Political Movements
Populism
A political movement, often led by Western farmers, that emerged in the late 19th century. Goals included the coinage of silver, increased government control over banks and railroads, and the transition of political power to the citizens.
Laissez-faire
An economic philosophy advocating minimal government intervention in the economy.
Political Machines
Organizations that controlled the activities of a political party in a city; often exchanged favors for votes and power.
Prohibition
The banning of the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages.
Social Issues and Reform
Immigration and Urbanization
Immigrants viewed education as a means to assimilate into American culture and improve their economic standing. The growth of suburbs and nativism also impacted urban landscapes.
Tenement Housing
Jacob Riis, a Danish immigrant and reporter, exposed the terrible conditions of tenement houses in his book, “How The Other Half Lives” (1890). Settlement houses emerged to provide educational and social services to the poor.
African American Rights
W.E.B. Du Bois advocated for immediate full rights for African Americans and founded the NAACP. Booker T. Washington believed that economic self-improvement would eventually lead to racial equality and headed the Tuskegee Institute.
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
A Supreme Court decision that legalized state-ordered segregation, as long as facilities for blacks and whites were equal.
Lynching
A form of mob violence used to terrorize and intimidate African Americans.
NAACP
Founded in 1909 to abolish segregation and discrimination and achieve political and civil rights for African Americans.
The Rise of American Power
Nationalism and Imperialism
A strong sense of national pride and a policy of extending a nation’s power and influence.
Panama Canal
A 40-mile ship canal across the Isthmus of Panama, built by the United States (1904-1914).
Progressive Era Reforms
Muckrakers
Journalists who exposed corruption and wrongdoing in industries, such as Upton Sinclair with his novel “The Jungle” about the meatpacking industry.
Civil Disobedience
A form of political participation that involves breaking a law believed to be immoral.
Women’s Suffrage
The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. Leaders like Alice Paul campaigned for suffrage through marches, protests, and civil disobedience.
Progressive Goals
Progressives aimed to make government more efficient, less corrupt, active in the economy, and accountable to the people. They implemented reforms such as recall votes, referendums, and the direct election of senators.
Women’s Roles
The rise of department stores and mail-order catalogs contributed to a shift in women’s roles from producers to consumers. This change allowed women more time for activities like charity work, employment outside the home, and political causes.
The Women’s Suffrage Movement
Key Figures
- Elizabeth Cady Stanton (President)
- Susan B. Anthony (Co-founder)
Goals
- Right to vote
- Equal access to education and employment
Strategies
- State-by-state campaigns
- Constitutional amendment
The Women’s Suffrage Movement, through the efforts of dedicated individuals and strategic actions, achieved significant advancements in women’s rights and paved the way for further progress.