Kira Garvie
APUSH Vocab
Mr. Lant
#23-60
VOCAB
23) Senator Henry Cabot Lodge: (1850-1924)
Definition: Republican Senator from Massachusetts, Senate Majority Leader.
Known for positions on foreign policy in opposition to Woodrow Wilson.
Description: Strongly supported the US’s intervention in Spanish Cuba, on the
grounds of moral responsibility.
• Supporter of immigration restrictions (voice of Immigration Restriction League),
fearing that assimilation of immigrants would undermine the work force and
increase crime.
• Strongly supported entering WWI with the allied powers, supported strong
military action against Germany. Opposed to 14 Points.
• Strongly opposed the Treaty of Versailles, because it did not call for
unconditional surrender.
• Strongly supported US’s involvement in international affairs, but was opposed to
other nations interfering with the US.
Significance: One of the leading senators of the WWI period, highly influential and
highly opinionated. Pretty much opposed anything Woodrow Wilson did.
References: WWI, Woodrow Wilson, Immigration, Treaty of Versailles
24) Social Darwinism:
Definition: The principle that “survival of the fittest” governs the racial differences in
the world. More technologically advanced societies are more evolved and therefore
natural leaders.
Description: The ideas of Social Darwinism (which Darwin himself did not believe)
first emerged in the 1870’s in Europe and America.
• Was a way to justify subjugation of another race (imperialism) because they we
not as “evolved” as white men.
• Associated with the principles of eugenics, scientific racism, imperialism,
fascism, and Nazism.
• Justified slavery and racism on the basis that skin color determined evolution.
Significance: Social Darwinism was a way that white slave owners and conquerors
justified their actions against native people. The white men were the natural leaders of the
world, and women and people of darker skin all inferior or “less advanced”
References: Holocaust, justifications for slavery, White Man’s Democracy, racism
25) Tropical Products:
Definition: Sugar, mangoes, avocadoes, oranges - any product that can only be grown in
a warm climate, not the US
Description: With expansion into the tropical islands of the Philippines and the
Caribbean, the US discovered tropical fruits and products, as well as a steady supply of
sugar.
• Became an important impetuous for expansion into the islands
• The US came to depend on a steady supply of tropical products for everyday
consumption
• Established a mother-country/colony relationship between the US and her
protectorates.
• With the development of iceboxes, preserving tropical products became easy, so
they were available everywhere.
Significance: the “discovery” of available tropical products (along with cheap labour)
became one of the driving forces behind expansion into the tropical islands. Or at least
mangoes are a nice bonus.
References: Expansion, Caribbean, Philippines, colonization
26) Markets for Surplus Goods:
Definition: Finding and utilizing foreign markets as consumers of US products.
Created external revenue and expanded trade.
Description: As the factory production within the US expanded, the production of
surplus goods demanded a broader market.
• By mid 1800’s, the South supplied most of France and England’s cotton.
• Manifest Destiny – once the West Coast was gained, the US looked to Asia as a
place to sell surplus. (All those customers)
• With the acquisition of new territory (Cuba, Philippines, Guam, Hawaii) what
America produced expanded, and so did the American market.
Significance: Good foreign trade boosted the American economy to the largest in the
world. It expanded the horizons of the American people, and broadened relations with the
world.
References: Imperialism, New Territories, Trade, Market Economy, Capitalism
27) “Big Stick” policy:
Definition: President Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy; “Speak softly, and carry a
big stick.” Characterized by extremely decisive action prior to and in reaction to any
crisis.
Description: When British and German forces enacted a blockade on Venezuela,
Roosevelt opposed it on the basis of his Roosevelt Corollary; all other republics on the
American continent are entitled to happiness and prosperity. Roosevelt demanded that the
blockade be removed; US naval forces stationed in Cuba to ensure follow through.
• During the building of the Panama Canal, the US backed a Panama rebellion in
order to get the necessary grants to build the canal. – Roosevelt sent warships to
protect Panama from Colombian forces.
• The US moved with decisiveness in regards to Cuba, but with the Platt
Amendment in place (America would grant Cuba independence as long as Cuba
didn’t screw up)
• Bought and sold islands in the Caribbean to keep them out of the hands of
European powers.
• Taft-Katsura Agreement (1905) recognized Japans dominance over Korea in
return for safety of the Philippines.
Significance: Roosevelt’s Big Stick policy characterized the decisiveness and
unquestionable firmness of his presidency and policy. Especially in regards to the
Caribbean and Japan. Not, perhaps, the most effective, but certainly strong.
References: Spanish-American War, Roosevelt, Foreign Policy, Panama Canal
28) Panama Canal
Definition: 48 mile long ship canal in Panama, connecting the Atlantic Ocean
(Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean. Completed in 1914.
Description: Originally a French project in 1881, the US took over and took a decade
to finish it.
• Panama belonged to Colombia at this time. The US ran into issues with the
Colombian Senate not wanting to grant the US the necessary provisions.
• 1903 – Panama revolts in a US backed resistance to Colombia.
• Panama grants US the Canal Zone, and the US recognizes their independence.
Significance: Allowed for the building of the Panama Canal, which linked the
Atlantic trade with the Pacific. Granted Panama independence and made naval
operations much easier for the US and the world.
References: Roosevelt, Big Stick Policy, Foreign Policy, Panama, South America
29) Dollar Diplomacy:
Definition: William Howard Taft’s policy of strengthening relations in Latin America
and Eastern Asia by assuming European loans.
Description: With the intent of establishing US supremacy in the western
hemisphere, Taft replaced European financial ties with American ones.
• An extension of the Monroe Doctrine.
• Taft unsuccessfully tried to establish control over Honduras by assuming debt.
• Nicaragua resisted in 1912. Taft sent in the US Marines. The resulting system
required military presence for the next decade.
• In China, JP Morgan banking conglomerate secured entry to the European based
system.
• US Banks refinanced Haiti’s debt.
Significance: The Dollar Diplomacy created a highly dependent set of Caribbean
colonies for the US, draining financial and military resources, and requiring constant
attention.
References: Caribbean relations, William Howard Taft, Haiti, Military, foreign
policy
30) “Watchful Waiting”
Definition: Woodrow Wilson’s policy towards Europe at the beginning of WWI.
Description: A continuation of the United States’ policy of neutrality. An attempt to
stay out of the war altogether or at least until victory was certain.
• This policy continued despite increasing trade difficulties with Europe.
• Britain blocked US trade with Germany, but not with the Allies.
• Watchful Waiting came to an end with the election of 1916, as well as with the
Lusitania.
Significance: Through the policy of neutrality, Woodrow Wilson kept the US out of
war and maintained foreign trade with Europe.
References: WWI, Woodrow Wilson, Europe, trade
31) Venezuela Affair:
Definition: (1902-1903) naval blockade imposed on Venezuela by Britain, Germany,
and Italy because the President refused to compensate for European lives lost in the
Venezuelan Civil war.
Description: Venezuela expected US intervention on basis of the Monroe Doctrine
• Venezuela’s small navy quickly disabled – but won’t give in
• Agreed to some of the claims with arbitration – Germany protests
• US navy sent in to threaten war if Germany lands
• Agreement signed on February 13th, 1903, which lifted the blockade and awarded
30% of Venezuelan customs to settling the claims.
Significance: Once more the US had stepped in as the protector of the Western
Hemisphere. Crisis produced the Roosevelt Corollary.
References: South American relations, Teddy Roosevelt, Roosevelt Corollary
32) Vera Cruz Incident:
Definition: (1914) The United States 6-month long occupation of Veracruz, in
response to the Tampico affair and the Mexican Revolution. US victory.
Description: 1911- Longstanding Mexican president Diaz is overthrown by Madero.
America has large investments in Mexico
• 1913- Huerta takes power and murders Madero. Europe recognizes Huerta, but
US under Wilson doesn’t.
• Wilson states that to win American recognition, the new regime must reflect a
“just government based upon law, not just upon arbitrary of irregular force.”
• 1914- US navy stationed outside Mexican ports to cut off trade.
• Several sailors went ashore – arrested, then released
• Mexico won’t apologize unless US recognizes their flag.
• Germany sends reinforcements to Mexico.
• US shells Veracruz, and takes the city.
Significance: Mexico protested it as an invasion, and Argentina, Chile, and Brazil,
came to the US’s aid in mediating the dispute. July 1914, Huerta resigns, and US
recognizes new government.
References: México, Pancho Villa, Veracruz, Wilson, Monroe Doctrine,
33) Poncho Villa
Definition: Francisco Villa, one of Mexican president Venustiano Carranza’s
generals.
Description: 1916- Pancho Villa revolted, and began raiding border towns, injuring
American civilians.
• January – takes 17 Americans off a train and kills them all.
• March – invades Columbus, New Mexico, kills 16 Americans and burns the town.
• Wilson orders General Pershing to pursue and capture Pancho Villa.
• Carranza at first agreed to it, then changed his mind.
• Pershing ordered home
Significance: Wilson once again interfered with another country’s affairs with little
forethought, and although his goals were laudable – helping Mexico – his methods were
condescending and ineffective.
References: Foreign Policy, Wilson, Mexico,
34) ABC Powers:
Definition: Argentina, Brazil, Chile. The three most powerful countries in Latin
America at the beginning of the 20th century.
Description: At the beginning of the 20th century, A, B, and C worked together to
develop common interests and a coordinated approach to domestic issues with little
outside interference.
• In 1914, the ABC powers met in Niagara Falls to mediate the growing tensions
between Mexico and the US and avoid war.
• On May 15, 1915, A, B, and C met again to develop a cooperative treaty on nonaggression and to resist the US’s influence in the region.
Significance: The ABC powers played an important role in 20th century politics,
mediating between countries and negotiating to avoid several wars.
References: Latin American relations, Monroe Doctrine, Veracruz, Wilson
35) Pragmatism:
Definition: The process where theory meets practice and people live their theories out
and shape their lives, not shaped by their lives.
Description: Characterized by tough-minded individuals who didn’t fight change, but
accepted it and worked with change, shaping it to their lives.
• Educational revolution – one that stressed the children’s needs and capabilities,
personal growth, and inquiry. Opposed rote learning and formulaic teaching.
• Law – law became a reflection of the environment and an instrument for change
rather than a fixed thing.
• Based on the human abilities to theorize, reason, and practice.
Significance: Dramatically changed the way people viewed education, children, law,
and their own lives.
References: Social reforms, education, views of children
36) Muckrakers:
Definition: Investigative journalists who wrote for popular magazines, exposing the
corruption of organizations and large political figures for popular sentiment and
emotionalism.
Description: Term coined in 1906 by Teddy Roosevelt.
• Began a trend of “investigative” journalism. Huge hit with readers –
sensationalism.
• Covered corrupt business practices, union abuses, crooked politicians, grafting,
• Writers: Upton Sinclair (The Jungle) ; Lincoln Steffens (The Shame of the Cities)
Significance: The Muckrakers became the voice of Progressivism, the voice of
change and honesty in society. Very important in educating the public on the undercover
corruption around them.
References: Progressivism, The Jungle, 20th century, grafting.
37) Ida Tarbell:
Definition: Leading political reformer and feminist advocate at the turn of the century.
Leading muckraker, teacher, and journalist.
Description: Tarbell, as a suffragette, vowed never to marry
• Wrote several biographies, including an acclaimed one on Abraham Lincoln
• 1902 – began her interviews and research into the oil industry
• Attacked Standard Oil and the business practices of John D. Rockefeller. Her
findings appeared in the McClure’s magazine.
• Developed the practice of investigative journalism.
• Became a damning case against Standard Oil – broke up the whole monopoly
Significance: Ida Tarbell became a leading figure in the early 20th century, both in
investigative journalism, and in women’s rights. She was responsible for the dissolution
of the Standard Oil monopoly.
References: Women’s lib, Muckrakers, oil monopoly
38) Upton Sinclair:
Definition: American author (and candidate for gov. of CA…), winner of a Pulitzer
Prize for fiction, and one of the leading muckrakers of the 20th century.
Description: 1906- The Jungle was published. It exposed the horrendous conditions
in the meat-packing industry in Chicago.
• Originally intended to be a cry against wage-slavery, it turned out much more to
be a description of the awful practices and conditions in the meat factories, and
the tainted meat that results.
• In response, domestic and foreign consumption of meat fell by half.
• “I aimed at the public’s heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach”
Significance: The Jungle instigated a federal inspection of the meat packing plants,
and led to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act.
References: Muckrakers, reform, FDA, wage labourers
39) Jacob Riis:
Definition: Danish-American muckraker and social reformer. Author of How the
Other Half Lives, a description of life in the slums of NYC.
Description: Used photographic and journalistic tactics to expose the slum life and
conditions.
• Supported the implementation of new, better tenements.
• Attempted to alleviate the suffering of the lower class by exposing their
conditions to the upper and middle class.
• Considered the father of photography because of his early use of the flash.
Significance: His use of photography was a new, effective way to convey the slum
conditions, a way that people could not ignore.
References: Social reform, Muckraking, photography
40) Progressive Movements:
Definition: The social and cultural movements that were part of the Progressive Era,
from the 1890’s to the 1920’s. Included prohibition, universal suffrage, efficiency, and
social change.
Description: Prohibition: 1916, all alcoholic beverages containing more than .5%
alcohol were banned from sale.
• Amendments: 16th: Federal income tax can be levied.
o 17th: Direct election of US senators by popular vote.
o 18th: Prohibition and banning the sale of alcoholic beverages in the US
o 19th: universal suffrage.
• Muckrakers made a practice of exposing corruption, abuse, and grafting in
politics and businesses.
• Urban movement, assembly lines, modernization, efficiency.
• Democracy: right of the citizenry to rule their government, bypassing political
bosses.
o Populist Party
o Primary elections
• Urban reform: budgets, projects, welfare-aid.
• Family Movement: Children were sacred, and should be protected. (Juvenile
courts and lawyers) Education was to learn, not to memorize. (inquiry, interest).
Public high schools became popular.
o Censorship of movies and books
• Food: 1906: Pure Food and Drug Act removed dangerous quack medicines, and
emphasized pure, safe food and drinks.
• Standard working hours – more leisure time – creation of public parks
• Eugenics: Birth control became more widely used and accepted.
Significance: The social reforms in the early 20th century characterized the
progressive era, and shaped the mindsets of future Americans.
References: Muckrakers, Jacob Riis, Social work, birth control, suffrage, prohibition,
Progressive Era.
41) Social Justice:
Definition: Justice as it is exercised within a society, particularly as pertaining to
individuals within or relating to social classes, or social organizations.
Description: Labor Movement: The ideas of fair opportunity, living wages versus
starving wages, child labor regulations, shorter workweeks, and safer working conditions.
• The Social Justice movement pushed for parks, nurseries, better schools, and
community services.
• Correlated data on poverty, crime, and disease with housing conditions. Sparked
an interest in reforming the slum conditions.
• Reports on child labor and working conditions of women in factories.
• Supported prohibition, or “purity”
• Feminism: feminists were particularly active in the social justice movement,
pushing for better wages and conditions, and social reforms. Many national
women’s organizations. (black women formed their own)
o Highly involved in the suffrage movement – 1869, WY has total suffrage
Significance: The Social Justice movement, combined with the women’s suffrage
movement, made a big impact on life in the 20th century, and created several landmark
reforms.
References: Suffrage, feminism, education, labor.
42) Social Gospel:
Definition: Protestant Christian intellectual movement in the early 20th century.
Emphasized the practice of Christian ideals and principles in society outside the church.
Description: Taking the gospel to the streets.
• Began the YMCA in 1844 as a safe place for young men trying to make their way
in the world to live and sleep safely. Provided recreational facilities. – “healthy
mind, healthy spirit, healthy body”. In 1855, the YWCA was started.
• Salvation Army – Founded in London in 1865, run on private and public
donations, provided safe places to sleep, food, social and economic help,
healthcare, and second-hand, affordable clothes.
• Boys and Girls Clubs – 1860, provided safe places for poor kids/latchkey kids to
go after school or while parents were working, and do crafts, homework, and play
and learn. Kept children off the streets and safe.
Significance: Created a lasting influence in social reform and the policies of mainline
denominations in the US. Promoted acceptance and ecumenical cooperation. Strong
influenced affected the passage of women’s suffrage and prohibition.
References: Prohibition, social change, progressive movements, suffrage
43) Purity Crusade:
Definition: Campaign by social reformers against alcohol.
Description: Social reformers working in the lower classes of the cities became
extremely aware of the effects that alcohol had on the people they were helping.
• Workers drank away their wages, in promoted violence and angered employers –
lost jobs.
• WCTU – Women’s Christian Temperance Movement headed the movement
towards prohibition. Largest organization of women at that time.
• 1893 – Joined by the Anti-Saloon League.
• Pressed to abolish the sale and use of alcohol. By 1916, had succeeded in 16
states.
• 1920 – Succeeded in passing the 18th Amendment, implementing Prohibition.
Significance: Responsible for the passage of Prohibition, and the anti – alcohol
movements. Also managed to prohibit prostitution. Movement for the purification of
American morals and society.
References: Progressive Movements, prohibition, WCTC
44) Prohibition:
Definition: 18th Amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting the sale, production, and
transportation of alcoholic beverages containing more than .5% alcohol.
Description: Effective January 16, 1920, with exceptions made for medicinal and
religious purposes, and personal production.
• Sparked a wave of bootlegging whiskey and smuggling it from abroad. ($40
million per year industry)
• Although did result in a decline in alcohol consumption in the US, the lack of
regulations led to the production of illegal alcohol with fatal alcohol contents.
• Urban resistance to the act led to the repeal of the act in 1933.
Significance: vindicated the desire to “purify” America, yet rural and urban America
suffered from the zealous attempts to regulate lifestyles.
References: WCTC, Progressive movements, purification
45) Honesty in Government:
Definition: The political movement to end the corruption and grafting in politics.
Description: “Mugwumps” vs. “Stalwarts” – honest politicians versus grafters
• In the late 19th and the early 20th century the US had a large system of machine
politics and grafters.
• Machine Politics: Using bribes (grafts) and debts to arrange jobs and win support
from the people. Often used in the cities, where a large “boss” would be the real
power behind the city. Politics based on who you know, not what you know.
• Muckrakers played a very important role in exposing the corruption and grafting
that was going on in politics.
• Reformers were set on creating a government with no grafting, no hush money,
and no bribes, as well as bringing down the machine politicians.
Significance: Eventually successful, the honest in government movement promoted
the end of grafting and bribes within politics.
References: Progressive movements, muckrakers, grafting, machine politics.
46) Scientific Government:
Definition: movement to implement the scientific method into government practices.
Description: Designed by Robert M. Lafollette, Governor of Wisconsin, (“Fighting
Bob”) the method applied the scientific method to solving social problems.
• 1) Measure the problem over a period of time – usually five years
• 2) Research and examine the causes of the problem, not just the symptoms.
• 3) Devise and implement a plan to fix the problem/s
• 4) Measure the effectiveness of the plan.
• 5) Revise and modify plan as necessary to maintain effects.
Significance: This plan removed the guesswork from government, and made the
government an effective place to turn to for solving social problems. Also created the
need for specialized jobs within government – people actually trusted their government.
References: Progressive, reform, social problems, Honesty in Government
47) Conservation:
Definition: NOT ENVIRONMENTALISM!!! The movement towards preserving spectacular
pieces of nature for recreational use.
Description: Started really in the mid 1800’s by the Transcendentalists in the
Adirondacks, they preserved them as the “finger of God”
• 1902 – The New Lands Act dams up miles of river valleys. The Yosemite and the
Grand Canyon were to be dammed.
• Conservationist John Muir (Sierra Club) takes TR camping in Yosemite – TR
creates it to be a National Park, along with the Grand Canyon.
• Lots more land grants were given to special places in the West to preserve them
as national parks for hunting and recreation.
• John Audubon preserved the wetlands as “nature’s nursery” the breeding grounds
of birds
Significance: The conservation movement preserved some of the finest lands in the
West – (the #1 land owner is the government) – to be national parks, originally for
recreational hunting and fishing, now as sacred nature sites.
References: Teddy Roosevelt, Progressivism, national parks
48) Women’s Suffrage:
Definition: Granting women the right to vote politically and run for public office.
Description: 1848 – Seneca Falls Convention: Women’s Lib activists draft the
Declaration of Sentiments. Argue for equal rights and suffrage.
• The passage of the 14th and 15th amendments, granting blacks the right to
citizenship and the right to vote, really ticked many suffragettes off.
• Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries women continued to fight for
suffrage – in 1869 Wyoming granted women the right to vote, and by 1900 most
of the western states had granted it.
• Became the cause of many huge demonstrations, pickets, and lobbies.
• 1920 – Passage of the 19th Amendment, prohibiting discrimination against voting
based on sex.
Significance: Granting women the right to vote expanded the voting population
immensely, and gave half the population a say in the politics that governed them. Also a
huge step forward in women’s rights and liberties.
References: Progressive, reform, amendments, right to vote
49) Anti-Child Labour:
Definition: Movement to limit and prohibit the exploitation of children in the
factories and farms of the US, and give children a childhood.
Description: Most children (lower class) under the age of 14 worked brutally long
days in the factories or mines, and many children ages 5/6 worked all day too.
• Before the Progressive Movements, child labour was an accepted/ignored fact of
life. Many of the children had to work to help support their families.
• Children worked a 40 hour week, and made ¼ of what regular working men
made.
• Highly dangerous conditions – limbs or lives lost in the mills and mines, lifelong
diseases contracted from breathing in cotton/coal dust.
• The education movement tried to provide schooling for these children, but many
preferred working to schooling.
• Some mills provided playgrounds and schools for workers children.
• 1904 – The formation of the National Child Labour Committee. Worked to
expose the conditions and facts of child labour in the US.
Significance: Child labour died hard, but slowly people limited the hour children
could work, and placed age limits on jobs.
References: Progressivism, reform, wage laborers,
50) Settlement House:
Definition: Reform movement in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, to try and provide
better housing and opportunities for the poor, and bring the rich to help the poor.
Description: Jane Addams, Hull House: Founded in Chicago, the Hull House was
Jane Addams’ family mansion, turned into housing, educational facilities, and a
community center for the impoverished immigrants of the area.
• Settlement houses provided child care, parenting help, classes (legal, economic,
math. Etc.)
• Provided help for immigrants to find jobs, opportunities
• Provided community centers with organized ethnic festivals for each immigrant
group in the area
Significance: Important in raising immigrants out of poverty and giving them an
opportunity in the US. An attempt to boost the morale of both the rich (by helping) and
the poor (by being helped)
References: Progressivism, immigrants, social reform,
51) Planned Parenthood:
Definition: Reform movement in the early 20th century, aimed at educating women
on birth control and choices in parenthood.
Description: Margaret Sanger linked the factors of poverty and ignorance to large
families, and too many children.
• 1912- Publishes two pamphlets: What every Woman should know, (information on
birth control and child raising) and what Every Girl Should Know, (information
on venereal disease, personal hygiene, and sex education,)
• 1914 – Term “birth control” coined as a term for use of contraceptives. Sanger
published in The Woman Rebel and asked women to take control of their bodies.
• 1916 – Margaret Sanger and her sister open the first birth control clinic in NYC.
o Sanger jailed for opening the clinic, and for the “pornography” in her
informational pamphlets.
o Court ruled that physicians should have more discretion in distributing
birth control.
• Popular among reformers – smaller families meant more resources for poor
families – and eugenicists – limit the number of “undesirables”
• Originally the Birth Control League, in 1942 became Planned Parenthood
Significance: The push for open, honest discussion of sexual education and birth
control won women the right to plan families, and control over their own bodies. Key to
empowering women, especially impoverished women.
References: Progressivism, reform, sex education, family planning
52) Professional Movement:
Definition: Movement in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s to establish requirements
and degrees for professions.
Description: Before this time, anyone could be a “doctor” by selling patent quack
medicines. Anyone could be a lawyer, if they could read. There were no requirements for
schooling to enter the professional fields.
• Between 1880 and 1900 almost 150 new colleges and universities opened.
• 1882 - Morrill Land Grant Act gave government grants to “agriculture and
mechanic” schools.
• Private endowments and grants supported and created other universities.
• Established degrees in subjects, and standardized tests for becoming a doctor,
teacher, lawyer, etc.
• (Johns Hopkins University) Specialized research schools opened.
• Education moved from “classic arts” (Latin, Greek, Rhetoric, etc.) to the sciences
• Women gained more entrances to colleges, and more degree opportunities.
Significance: Professionalism basically created degrees and specialized training in a
subject that was tested, and established qualifications for practicing a subject.
References: Progressive Movements, education, opportunities, higher learning.
53) NAACP:
Definition: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People:
Founded in 1909, a civil rights organization “to ensure the political, educational, social,
and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred, and racial
discrimination.”
Description: 1905 – W.E.B. Du Bois and other sociologists and civil rights leaders
met at Niagara Falls, NY (on Canadian side, due to discrimination) and pledged action
against discrimination in voting, education, equality before the law, and public social
matters.
• Niagara Movement claimed for blacks every right that freeborn white citizens
had, and vowed to protest until granted those rights.
o Focused on equal rights and the education of the black youth.
o Continued to use militant action to reinforce their points.
• W.E.B. Du Bois: Leader and inspiration of the civil rights movement. Advocate
of integration, and working with whites towards a common, equal ground.
• 1906/1908 – Race riots – white mobs invaded
Significance:
References:
54) Tuskegee Institute:
Definition: Private, black university in Alabama. Dedicated to higher education for
blacks in the South following the Civil War.
Description: Founded on July 4, 1881 as the Tuskegee Normal School for Colored
Teachers,
• Part of the expansion of institutions of higher learning for blacks in the South
following the Civil War.
• 1882- Booker T Washington became the principal of the institute.
• Focused on training students in technical skills, morals, and religious life. One of
the first “ag and tech” schools in the US
• Intended to give blacks the skills they needed to function as autonomous citizens,
rather than being dependent on whites for skills.
Significance: Followed the principle of true “separate but equal” mentality for blacks
and whites, where they would live their own trades and crafts and be separate. Got
around segregation and gave blacks a place to learn and practice valuable skills.
References: Booker T Washington, Reconstruction, Segregation,
55) Legislative Programs:
Definition: the political reforms put into place during the Progressive Era, that helped
minimize corruption, end graft, and create an honest government.
Description: Secret Ballot: casting anonymous ballots in unmarked ballot boxes
hampered the power of the Bosses by limiting their influence in the elections.
STATE REFORMS
• Initiative: Allowed voters to petition state legislatures to consider a bill desired
by the voters. Gave the people more say in what laws they wanted passed rather
than leaving it entirely in the hands of the government.
• Referendum: Allowed voters to decide on whether a bill or an amendment
should be passed. Gave more direct democracy.
• Recall: Gave voters the right to petition to have a government official removed
from office.
• Direct Primary: ensured that voters selected the candidates for office.
FEDERAL ACTS
• Newlands Reclamation Act (1902) – Built dams and reservoirs on rivers to
conserve water.
• Elkins Act (1903) – outlawed RR rebates
• Pure Food and Drug Act (1906-1911) – Required ingredients to be listed.
• Meat Inspection Act (1906) – required inspection of processing plants.
• Hepburn Act (1906) – Strengthened the ICC, allowing max RR rates
• Federal Reserve Act (1913) – Created 12 Federal banks, set interest rates, etc
• Clayton Anti-trust Act (1914) – Outlawed the creation of monopolies,
monopolistic behavior, and unions were not subject to anti-trust legislation
• Federal Trade Act (1914) – Established Federal Trade Commission, charged
with investigating monopolistic behavior and unfair business practices.
Significance: These new legislative reforms were very important and key in establishing
honesty in government, and limiting the amount of graft and bribes in politics. Set
precedents for new, modern reforms and programs.
References: Progressive Era, Honesty in Government, Modernization, Reform
56) Square Deal:
Definition: President Theodore Roosevelt’s domestic program. Aimed at helping the
middle class and attacking plutocracy, trusts, and monopolies.
Description: Built on three ideas: Conservation of natural resources, control of
corporations, and consumer protection. (The three C’s)
• New Nationalism: Government protection of human welfare and property rights,
with welfare coming first. Argument for a strong central government to maintain
welfare programs
• Opposed to the oppression of workers (wage slaves)
• Contained most of the Legislative Programs – Elkins Act, Antiquities Act
(Granted the president right to restrict the use of public land) Food and Drug Acts,
Meat Inspection Acts, Etc.
Significance: Contained most of the legislative reform and Progressive bills of the
Era, very important in ushering new, modern government and domestic practices.
References: Teddy Roosevelt, Progressive Era, Legislative programs
57) Trust-Busting:
Definition: The basis for Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency tactics, and his main
policies during his presidency.
Description: Aimed at getting rid of not all trusts, but only those that were negative.
• Created the Department of Commerce and Labor, with a Bureau of Corporations
to investigate interstate commerce – one step towards dissolving monopolies.
• Roosevelt brought several law suits against several major monopolistic
companies.
• Although known as the “trust-buster” Roosevelt actually was more loose and
unclear in his policies than Taft, who initiated 43 anti-trust indictments in 4 years
vs. Roosevelt’s 25 indictments in 7 years.
Significance: Began the anti-trust, anti-monopoly mentality that was continued in the
Clayton Anti-trust Act. Gave Roosevelt the name of Trust- Buster.
References: Roosevelt, Taft, Monopolies, Clayton Anti-Trust Act, Legislation.
58) Food and Drug Administration:
Definition: United States administration that regulates and inspects all products and
ingredients sold, so there is a standard upheld, and regulations in place.
Description: Organized in response to the atrocities in the food industry exposed by
the muckrakers in the late 19th to early 20th century.
• The Jungle exposed the conditions in the meat industry; other works exposed the
dangers of quack medicines, and cure-all’s.
• Pure Food and Drug Act (1906-1911) – Required ingredients to be listed.
• Meat Inspection Act (1906) – required inspection of processing plants.
Standardized and inspected all ingredients – if not FDA approved, not safe!
(Sometimes not safe if FDA approved, too…)
Significance: Established a system to regulate the food products mass produced and
sold to the public. Created a safety net for people’s food.
References: Progressive Reform, Muckrakers, Modernization, Industry
•
59) Hepburn Act:
Definition: 1906 – gave the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) the power to set
maximum railroad rates and extended its jurisdiction.
Description: The end of preferential free railroad passes for loyal freight shippers.
• Established standardized bookkeeping systems, so the ICC could keep an eye on
financial records.
• Authority of the ICC extended to include bridges, terminals, ferries, railroad
sleeping cars, express companies and oil pipelines.
Significance: Limited and contained the railroad monopoly over shipping that had
severely hurt the smaller businesses and benefitted the big ones. By setting a maximum
rate, the rates were now predictable across the board. Regulations eliminated a lot of graft
References: Progressive Reforms, Legislative Programs, Railroads, Monopolies.
60) Progressive Income Tax:
Definition: An income tax that is proportional to the amount of income spent on
necessities.
Description:
First instituted by Woodrow Wilson in 1913, lowered the tariff rate and provided
a steady income for the government.
• Also lowered the tax burden on the middle and lower classes, and gave some of
that burden to the idle rich
Significance: Established a tax system that is still used today, as well as gave some
of the tax burden to the rich and the successful, while lowering the tariff rate. A winwin situation.
References: Wilson, Tax, Economic reform, Tariff, working class
•