The Progressive Era Vocabulary List

Progressivism Definition: The political orientation of those who favor progress towards better conditions in government and society.

The Progressives Definition: The name given to American reformers during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These reformers wanted to fix the political, economic, and social problems in America, and improve American Society.

Reformer Definition: A person who works to improve society.

Bribe Definition: Money paid to get someone to do something against the law.

Political Machine Definition: A group of individuals that control the activities of a political party. Political machines controlled politics in most American cities at the turn of the century.

Kickbacks Definition: An illegal payment of money made in return for a favor or service.

Muckraker Definition: A writer who brings attention to corruption.

Tenement House Law (1901) Definition: A law passed in New York State to improve the conditions of tenement apartments. The law stated that tenement buildings must have windows, fire escapes, indoor plumbing, fireproofing, and courtyards.

Initiative Definition: By the use of a petition, citizens could introduce a bill before their state legislature.

Referendum Definition: The citizens of a state have the right to vote on state legislation (laws). The citizens of a state could approve a law, get rid of it, or change it.

Recall Definition: Citizens of a state can vote an elected official out of office if they are unhappy with his or her performance.

Lochner v. New York Definition: An United States Supreme Court case that ruled limiting the amount of hours a individual can work in one day is a violation of the 14 th Amendment, and therefore, unconstitutional.

Muller v. Oregon Definition: A Supreme Court case in which the Court supported a law passed by the state of Oregon that limited the amount of hours women in the laundry industry could work in one day.

Executive Order Definition: A rule or order issued by the President of the United States. The order has the force of law.

Trust Definition: A giant corporation, or group of companies controlled by a single board of directors. Trusts were used to build a stronger monopoly over a certain industry or industries. Trusts controlled all aspects of an industry.

The Newlands Act (1902) Definition: An law that used money earned by the U.S. government through public land sales to fund federal irrigation projects.

The Elkins Act (1903) Definition: A law that strengthened the power of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) The law made rebates illegal. Railroad corporations had to adhere to their published shipping rates.

Rebates Definition: A discount, given or granted secretly to the railroads largest customers. This hurt farmers and other small shippers who still had to pay full price.

The Hepburn Bill (1906) Definition: A law that gave the Interstate Commerce Commission the power to  Inspect the financial records of railroad corporations.  Set maximum shipping rates for railroad corporations.  Control other businesses associated with transportation.

The Meat Inspection Act (1906) Definition: A law that granted the United States government the power to inspect meat before it was sold to consumers.

The Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) Definition: Prevented the manufacture, sale, or transportation of food or medicine that was poisonous, contaminated or mislabeled.

Conservation Definition: The preservation and careful management of the environment and natural resources.

The Mann-Elkins Act (1910) Definition: Granted the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) with the power to suspend rate increases made by railroad or telephone companies. The law also created a Commerce Court.

Progressive Party Definition: A party formed in 1912 after the split between Taft Republicans and Roosevelt Republicans. Members of the Progressive Party supported an increase in government’s authority regulate big business. Members of the Progressive Party also wanted to pass national laws to improve the living conditions of the poor. Theodore Roosevelt was nominated as the Progressive candidate in the 1912 presidential election.

New Freedom Definition: A policy that would restore competition amongst America’s business classes by breaking up trusts, establishing fair business practices, and punishing businessmen who violated business laws. This plan was created by Woodrow Wilson.

New Nationalism Definition: A policy that would expand the power of the federal government in order to regulate big business. The policy also called for legislation to improve social justice for America’s poor.

The Underwood Tariff Act (1913) Definition: A law that created the first tariff reduction in America since before the Civil War. The act also created a gradual tax on personal incomes.

Tariff Definition: A tax on imports to the United States of America.

The Federal Reserve Act (1913) Definition: A law that created the Federal Reserve. Federal supervision of the American banking system. The Federal Reserve is responsible for controlling interest rates and regulating the amount of money in circulation. The Federal Reserve allowed the United States to have a flexible and safe currency.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (1914) Definition: an agency created to investigate unfair business practices conducted by American corporations.

The Clayton Antitrust Act (1914) Definition: A law that outlawed specific business practices used by monopolies, including price discrimination. The law also exempted labor unions and agricultural organizations from antitrust legislation.

16 th Amendment Definition: Established a gradual income tax in America. People are taxed based upon their annual income.

17 th Amendment Definition: Direct election of Senators. The citizens of a state elect United States Senators from their state. Prior to the passage of the 17 th Amendment, state legislatures elected United States Senators.

18 th Amendment Prohibition  Outlawed the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol in the United States.

19 th Amendment Women’s Suffrage:  A national law that allowed women to vote in local, state, and federal elections.

Graduated Income Tax A tax that increases or decreased based upon an individual’s annual income. If you have a higher income, you will pay more taxes than an individual with a lower income.

Suffrage Definition: The right to vote in political elections.