Category 1
How did the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the 14th Amendment affect businesses?
The Court defined corporations as "persons," protecting them from state regulation (e.g., Santa Clara Co. v. Southern Pacific Railroad)
Who were the "muckrakers"? Name 2.
Investigative journalists (e.g., Ida Tarbell, Lincoln Steffens) who exposed corruption in business and government
How did The Jungle by Upton Sinclair affect the Progressive movement?
It highlighted the disgusting conditions of the meatpacking industry, directly leading to the Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act.
What was the 19th Amendment (1920)?
It granted women the right to vote nationwide.
What was the role of the Supreme Court in the Progressive Era?
The Court often acted as a check on reform (e.g., Lochner v. New York striking down labor laws), though it also upheld some regulations.
What was the purpose of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)?
It was designed to restore competition by breaking up trusts that restrained trade, though it was weakly enforced initially.
What was the goal of the Prohibition movement?
To ban the sale/production of alcohol (18th Amendment), aiming to reduce crime, poverty, and domestic violence
How did Progressives aim to improve democracy?
By introducing the initiative, referendum, recall, and direct primary, which reduced the power of party bosses?
What was the role of the federal government in the expansion of railroads?
The government provided massive public subsidies, land grants, and loans, fueling rapid infrastructure growth.
'Wilson did more for the Progressive cause than Theodore Roosevelt.' How far do you agree?
Wilson: Federal Reserve, Clayton Act, 16th Amendment. TR: Conservation, trust-busting, Pure Food & Drug Act. Judgement: Wilson achieved more structural change, while TR changed the image of the presidency.
How did the "Bessemer Process" impact the steel industry?
It allowed for faster, cheaper production of steel, lowering costs by 80%, which enabled industrial expansion.
Why is Theodore Roosevelt known as a "Trust Buster"? Name 1.
He used the Sherman Act to break up harmful monopolies (e.g., Northern Securities Co.).
What was the 17th Amendment (1913)?
It mandated the direct election of US Senators by popular vote, rather than by state legislatures.
Why did the Progressive Era end?
The focus shifted toward World War I, and Americans grew tired of the intense moral crusading.
How far did the US economy move away from laissez-faire between 1890 and 1920?
Significantly. The government began regulating trusts, food safety, and railroads (Sherman Act, Meat Inspection Act).
What was the role of the federal government in the expansion of railroads?
The government provided massive public subsidies, land grants, and loans, fueling rapid infrastructure growth.
What were the key elements of Woodrow Wilson’s "New Freedom"? Name the 2 Acts.
Tariff reduction, banking reform (Federal Reserve Act), and stronger trust-busting (Clayton Antitrust Act).
What was the significance of the Election of 1912?
TR’s Bull Moose Party split the Republican vote, ensuring the victory of Democrat Woodrow Wilson.
How did the Niagara Movement (1905) challenge the status quo? Name the Leader.
Led by W.E.B. Du Bois, it demanded immediate civil and political rights for African Americans
'The impact of the "robber barons" was beneficial.' How far do you agree?
Agree: Philanthropy, infrastructure, efficient production. Disagree: Exploitation of labor, destruction of competition, political corruption.
How did the absence of federal regulation facilitate the growth of trusts?
Laissez-faire policies meant few laws restricted business practices, allowing for vertical/horizontal integration and the creation of monopolies.
What was the "Free Silver" issue?
Farmers wanted to move off the gold standard to a silver/gold standard to increase the money supply, leading to inflation, which would make it easier to pay back debts.
How did the Clayton Antitrust Act (1914) strengthen the Sherman Act?
It specifically banned practices like price discrimination and interlocking directorates, and stated that labor unions were not illegal combinations.
Contrast the approaches of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois.
Washington advocated for economic self-help and gradual equality; Du Bois demanded immediate political/social equality
To what extent was the Gilded Age actually "gilded"?
It appeared prosperous on the surface (growth of corporations, wealth) but hid severe problems (poverty, corruption, labor crises).