Muckrakers
How did muckrakers get there name?
They were investigative journalist who uncovered the dirt (muck) in their writings which lead politicians to push for reforms.
Ida Welles and Florence Kelley were two of the founders of the NAACP. Why was the NAACP created?
The NAACP was created to have an effective civil rights organization in the U.S. In particular, lynchings of black men were very common in the early 1900's and the NAACP would push to make it a federal crime. (This did not happen but it did go down.)
Woodrow Wilson was only the second democratic president since the Civil War. How was he able to win?
With 2 other republicans running their was a split in the vote allowing him to win he was able to win with 42 percent of the vote.
How did the 16th Amendment allow the federal government to spend more money than ever before?
It allowed for a tax on people's income.
What was Upton Sinclair known for?
He wrote a book called the Jungle which exposed the unsanitary conditions in meatpacking plants. (lead to laws like the meat inspection act)
Jane Addams ran the Hull House which was a settlement house in Chicago what was a settlement house?
Settlement houses were like community centers in cities that helped the poor, especially immigrants. They taught skills, classes in English, provided daycae, and more.
What effect did the Pure food and drug act have on society?
Companies have to be truthful about their products. (No more secret ingredients in many cases alcohol, cocaine, morphine.)
How did the federal reserve change banking in the U.S.?
The federal reserve bank could issue currency to member banks who could then loan out the money to their customers. It could also save banks in trouble (saving customers savings.) We still have this system today!
Lewis Hine was known for his photography which was one of the causes of the Keating Owen Act which tried to outlaw what?
Child Labor
Why did temperance societies start and what was their goal?
They began because alcohol was seen as being one of the biggest problems facing society and the family. At first the goal was moderation, later it became complete prohibition of alcohol. Carrie Nation and the Women Christian Temperance Union were notable leaders
Unlike previous presidents Theodore Roosevelt took an active role in legislation calling his programs the square deal. As part of his square deal what was Roosevelt's plan for dealing with big corporations or trusts?
He got the nickname the trustbuster for breaking up big companies like Standard oil. However he said there was a difference between good trusts ( should be regulated) and bad trusts (should be broken up.)
He used the Sherman Anti Trust Act to do this.
Name two ways progressives tried to make government more responsive to the people
17th Amendment- direct election of senators
Initiatives- citizens get to vote on issues and can make it become a law (minimum wage example)
Recall- Can vote someone out of office before term ends.
Jacob Riis wrote the book how the other half lives where he wrote and took pictures to try and bring what issue to his audience?
The lives of the urban poor to a mostly middle to upper class audience.
What strategies did suffragettes use to pass the 19th Amendment?
They pushed for a state by state strategy as well as making it a national amendment. During WW1 some protested in front of the white house lawn going on a hunger strike.
How did the progressive presidents (Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson) change people's view of the government?
People looked towards the governemnt more to solve societies problems.
How did clayton antitrust act and the federal trade commission (both passed under the presidency of Woodrow Wilson) try to stop monopolies from forming? It still
The Clayton Antitrust Act banned companies from buying stock in other countries if doing so created a monopoly. The FTC is still around as a watchdog group can stop potential anti competitive mergers. (Examples Kroger-Albertsons JetBlue-Spirt.
How did Ida Tarbell influence the American economy with her book titled the History of Standard Oil?
Her 19-part series on the History of Standard Oil led to President Theodore Roosevelt using the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to break Standard Oil up.
Who was involved in the Social Gospel movement, and what were its guiding principles?
Christian reformers were involved. They believed that Christians had a duty to help the less fortunate and that pursuing wealth was ungodly.
While Taft filed more anti trust suits than Roosevelt he disappointed Roosevelt and other progressives. Why?
He fired Roosevelt's friend (Pinchot) who was in charge of the forest department and opened up some land to development. He also didn't lower tariffs enough and filed a suit against U.S. steel who Roosevelt considered to be a good trust.