AP US History Unit 7

AP US History Unit 7 The Progressive Era

Focus Your Reading: The Progressive Movement as a phase in the

liberalism of the Twentieth Century. Grass Roots and Government reformers that

attempted to address the abuses and deficiencies in American life at the local, state, and federal levels.

Important Acts of Congress as part reforms addressing business, the environment, and the economy.

Women and African Americans that organized to improve their condition and status, and the long-term successes or failures of their efforts.

Introduction to Progressivism By 1900 the U.S. was a major world power, driven by aggressive foreign policy

and rapidly developing industry. Life was definitely good for those in the upper class of American Society: 4% of

the nation’s population owned 80% of the nation’s wealth. Industrialization had shifted the American worker from a skilled artisan to just a

cog in the machinery of assembly line technology. Farmers were losing their land to rising debt, children were forced to work to

keep the family afloat, women were working in dangerous conditions, and African Americans were facing rampant discrimination in all regions of the country.

One of the major accomplishments of Industrialization was the rise of the Middle Class (Professionals, Office Workers, Social Workers, Educators, Government employees) which had traditionally taken up the cause of social reform.

Driven by altruism and, in many cases, effected themselves by these “social evils” the Middle Class would take the fight to the Industrial Class during what became known as the Progressive Era.

Unit 7.1: Liberalism in the Twentieth Century Where does the Progressive

Movement fit amongst the other major themes of Liberalism in the Twentieth Century?

What does the term liberalism mean, how have opponents generally attempted to radicalize this concept?

What is characteristic of Economic, Political, and Social Reform?

Unit 7.1: Liberalism in the Twentieth Century

Where does the Progressive Movement fit amongst the other major themes of Liberalism in the Twentieth Century? It is important to see the Progressive Movement as a “phase”

in a line of liberal reforms through the course of the Twentieth Century. The Progressive Movement: 1900-1920

Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson The New Deal: 1933-1945

Franklin D. Roosevelt The Fair Deal: 1945-1953

Harry S. Truman The New Frontier: 1961-1963

John F. Kennedy The Great Society: 1963-1969

Lyndon B. Johnson


What does the term liberalism mean, how have opponents generally attempted to radicalize this concept? The term liberal is often misused to label anything that deals

with reform or progressivism. Liberalism is based in the true expression of American

democracy and was formulated by Thomas Jefferson and advanced by Andrew Jackson.

True liberalism seeks an alliance between the public and the government to seek equilibrium between the consumer/worker/farmer and the corporation.

Reforms and Reform Movements typically have two objectives: Alleviate short-term economic, political, and social problems. To fundamentally change existing economic, political, and social

systems to effect long-term stability.


What is characteristic of Economic, Political, and Social Reform? Economic Reform

Reforms that seek to control corporate behavior and check the abuses practiced by large corporations

Regulation of Big Business Political Reform

Extend or protect the political rights of previously disenfranchised people.

Make public officials more accountable to the public Attack corruption, waste, and abuses of power by political

officials. Social Reform

Reforms that seek to protect and promote the human and social rights of deprived groups in society.

Unit 7.2: Early Twentieth Century Progressives What is the definition of the

“progressive movement”, what were its components, and was the overall objective of the movement?

What role did the Social Gospel Movement play in the Progressive Movement?

Who were the “Muckrakers”?

Unit 7.2: Early Twentieth Century Progressives What is the definition of the “progressive

movement”, what were its components, and was the overall objective of the movement? The “Progressives” were a coalition of reformers

that believed that humanity and the institutions created by humans could be perfected.

Progressives rejected Monopoly Capitalism/Laissez-Faire Economics, corruption in government, and abuse of the worker/farmer/consumer.

They supported intervention by the federal/state/local governments in regulating big business and fighting corruption and abuse.

Unit 7.2: Early Twentieth Century Progressives

What role did the Social Gospel Movement play in the Progressive Movement? Led by Walter Rauschenbusch, the Social Gospel

mixed Protestantism and humanitarianism. They believed it was their Christian duty to be

concerned about the plight of the poor and the immigrant and to take steps to improve their lives.

Important Social Gospel reformers included: The Salvation Army provided material and spiritual

assistance to the Urban poor. Situated in one of Chicago’s worst neighborhoods was

Hull House, founded by Jane Addams. Settlement Houses like these provided education, childcare, job training, and recreational opportunities for the urban poor.


Who were the “Muckrakers”? These were investigative journalists that wrote stories

exposing corruption, abuses by the Corporations, and inequalities in society.

Their name was based on a character from The Pilgrim’s Progress who spent all his days mired in the muck, doggedly refusing to see the beauty that was all around him.

They were given their name by President Theodore Roosevelt (a Progressive, but proponent of business) who believed they were sensationalizing their stories to draw readership (ironically, Roosevelt seemed to have no qualms about playing along with the Yellow Press when it suited his imperialist desires).


Who were the “Muckrakers”? Jacob Riis

Published How The Other Half Lives in 1890 stirring public outrage over the living conditions of New York City’s urban poor and street orphans.

Ida Tarbell Her attacks on the abuses of the Standard Oil Company (History of

the Standard Oil Company) were so effective that the company was successfully prosecuted in Court in 1911.

Frank Norris Published The Octopus detailing corrupt politicians conspiring

with the powerful Southern Pacific Railroad to exploit California farmers.

Lincoln Steffens Exposed municipal (city government) corruption in New York City

in his work The Shame of the Cities in 1904.


Who were the “Muckrakers”? Upton Sinclair

Authored a book titled The Jungle in which he exposed gruesome working conditions and tainted meat coming from the meatpacking plants of Chicago.

Sinclair hoped to inspire outrage and horrify the American public into taking action.

His hope-on-hope was to create support for Socialism, although that dream failed his work did lead to important legislation: The Pure Food and Drug Act, which created the Food and Drug

Administration, forces testing of products, truth in labeling, and standards for inspection of food/drug production and distribution facilities.

The Meat Inspection Act, which forced the inspection of meatpacking facilities.

Unit 7.3: Reforming local and state political systems How did government at the local

and city levels change during the Progressive Movement?

How did Reform-minded Governors effect change at the State level?

What were the components of the “Wisconsin Idea”?

Unit 7.3: Reforming local and state political systems How did government at the local and city levels change during the

Progressive Movement? Home-rule Charters gave the cities greater flexibility and authority to

create their own plan for government free of State-level corruption. The National Municipal League conducted fact-finding investigations to

determine local government’s role in urban problems and make recommendations to form a model government.

Developed in Dayton, Ohio and Galveston, Texas after natural disasters the City-Council and Commission forms of government placed authority in the hands of small elected groups that would manage the cities like a business with an emphasis on efficiency. The idea was to eliminate partisanship in the running of local municipalities.

Public ownership of utilities (today most municipalities own their own utilities – City of New Bern Utilities). Often referred to as “Gas and Water Socialism”.

Minimum Wage and Maximum Work Hour Laws for City Employees City Parks, other recreational facilities, and Day-Care programs.

Unit 7.3: Reforming local and state political systems

How did Reform-minded Governors effect change at the State level? New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson, California Governor Hiram

Johnson, and New York Governor Theodore Roosevelt were three of the most “progressive”.

Key Legislation included: Attempts to ban Child Labor Minimum Wage and Maximum Hour Laws Workers’ Compensation Plans to pay workers who were disabled on

the job. Building Codes and State Inspections Acts designed to protect

workers from hazardous working conditions (Triangle Shirtwaist Fire) Regulation of the Railroads, Insurance Companies, and Food Industry. A Graduated Income Tax was placed on businesses replacing the

inequitable Fixed Income Tax.

Unit 7.3: Reforming local and state political systems What were the components of the “Wisconsin Idea”?

Robert M. La Follette served Wisconsin as a member of the House of Representatives, U.S. Senator, and Governor (He even made a bid to replace Taft as the Republican nominee for President in 1912

“Fighting Bob” spear-headed numerous reforms that became known as the “Wisconsin Idea” and became the model for Progressive Reform A Direct Primary that would give the people, not the political

machines, control of nominating political candidates. Passage of the Corrupt Practices Act that would make politicians

liable for prosecution in cases of wrongdoing. Limits on campaign expenditures (predecessor to the Campaign

Finance Reform today) and limits on the activities of lobbyists. He pushed the utilization of experts, intellectuals, and

professionals on special commissions to investigate problems related to conservation, taxes, education, etc.

Unit 7.4: Reform-minded Republican Presidents How did Theodore Roosevelt come to

be President of the United States and how was this contrary to the wishes of his own political party?

What were the components of Theodore Roosevelt’s “Square Deal”?

In 1908 Theodore Roosevelt handed the Presidency over to William Howard Taft. How did Taft fare as a “Progressive”?

Unit 7.4: Reform-minded Republican Presidents

How did Theodore Roosevelt come to be President of the United States and how was this contrary to the wishes of his own political party? Theodore Roosevelt made his name as Assistant Secretary to the Navy and as the

organizer of the famous “Roughriders” Cavalry regiment during the Spanish-American War.

The Republican Party was suspicious of his reform-mindedness, but hoped to cash in on his fame. They decided to place him where all political careers went to die (the Vice Presidency).

Of Course, President William McKinley was then assassinated and Theodore Roosevelt came to the White House.

The first major event that he was involved in was the United Mine Workers Strike in 1902. Roosevelt believed the President should be active in arbitrating disputes between

labor and management in important industries. Coal was crucial to heating American homes and businesses and Roosevelt feared the

workers still being on strike when winter struck. He called leaders to the White House then threatened to use the U.S. Army to take over

the Coal Mines and resume production. The Mine Workers got a 10% wage increase, 9-hour workday, but the Coal Mines never

recognized their union officially. While Roosevelt had supported the Union he fell short of recognizing its existence or

its right to collective bargainning.

Unit 7.4: Reform-minded Republican Presidents

What were the components of Theodore Roosevelt’s “Square Deal”? Theodore Roosevelt promised a program that gave everyone a

square (fair) deal that would create equilibrium between the citizens and the corporation. The Department of Commerce and Labor was created The Elkins Act required published rate schedules and forbade secret

rebates (useful in corruption). The Bureau of Corporations was created to investigate anti-trust

violations. In 1904 they dissolved the Northern Securities Company that controlled nearly all long-haul railway traffic west of Chicago.

The Hepburn Act set a maximum rate for Railroad traffic. The Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act required that all

meatpacking facilities involved in interstate commerce be federally inspected.

Newlands Reclamation Bill added 150 million acres to the National Forest Reserve

Establishment of the Conservation Congress Appointment of a strong conservationist, Gifford Pinchot, to head the

National Forestry Division.

Unit 7.4: Reform-minded Republican Presidents In 1908 Theodore Roosevelt handed the Presidency over to

William Howard Taft. How did Taft fare as a “Progressive”? Theodore Roosevelt was so popular that he was able to,

essentially, hand the presidency to his Secretary of State William Howard Taft.

Taft took the following initiatives as a “Progressive” President: The Mann-Elkins Act gave the Interstate Commerce Commission

power over communications (Telegraph/Telephone) During Taft’s administration he “busted” twice as many trusts as

Roosevelt had (including US Steel, the American Tobacco Company, and Standard Oil). His assault on Big Business would be part of the split between he and Theodore Roosevelt (who was most definitely not anti-business).

All in all however, Taft was a failure as a Progressive, disappointing Theodore Roosevelt to the point he decided to come back and run for a 3rd Term with the Bull Moose Party in 1912.

Practice Question #11.










Answer Key

Unit 7.5: The Election of 1912 What role did the Taft Presidency have

on Theodore Roosevelt’s decision to run for a third term in 1912? What were the goals and objectives of the “Bull Moose” Party (Progressive Party)?

Were there other “radical” elements present in this election?

What ultimately produced a Wilson victory and why was this not a total defeat for “progressivism”?

Unit 7.5: The Election of 1912 What role did the Taft Presidency have on Theodore Roosevelt’s decision to

run for a third term in 1912? What were the goals and objectives of the “Bull Moose” Party (Progressive Party)? After becoming President Taft moved closer to the Conservative wing of the

Republican Party and was a disappointment to Teddy Roosevelt and to Progressives in general.

Four events split the Republican Party Taft’s support for the Payne-Aldrich Tariff (a 40% tax on imports) Taft withdrew support for conservation efforts and opened 1 million acres of land

reserved by Teddy Roosevelt for private use. Taft’s support for the powerful (an very conservative) Speaker of the House Joseph

Cannon who sat as Chair of the Rules Committee and decided what Bills would be heard by the House of Representatives.

In a controversy over US Steel’s purchase of a bankrupt company, Roosevelt had promised the government would not prosecute for violation of Anti-Trust Laws since US Steel was taking on loans that would have gone into default. When Taft prosecuted US Steel it was viewed as a betrayal of Roosevelt’s word and integrity.

“Fighting Bob” Lafollette made a move to replace Taft on the Republican ticket. Roosevelt refused to back Taft or to back replacing him with Lafollette. He

decided to form the Progressive Party (Bull Moose Party) and run as a third-party candidate.

Unit 7.5: The Election of 1912 Were there other “radical”

elements present in this election? Eugene V. Debs represented the

Socialist Party in the election of 1912.

The Socialists supported public ownership of the nation’s resources and industries that were vital to the nation’s economic health.

Debs won 1 million popular votes, but no electoral college votes.

Unit 7.5: The Election of 1912 What ultimately produced a Wilson victory and why was this

not a total defeat for “progressivism”? “A Split Party Never Wins!” Somewhat similar to Theodore Roosevelt’s “New Nationalism”,

Woodrow Wilson campaigned on what he called “New Freedom”. The Nation was not quite ready for the “Big Government” approach

pushed by Theodore Roosevelt. Wilson’s New Freedom:

Proposed to limit Big Business and Big Government End Government and Business corruption Revive competition by supporting small business and free trade

The nation was certainly supportive of Progressive Reform and Woodrow Wilson presented a Progressive Reform-minded Candidate that was backed by a unified political party and had not been radicalized by his opponents.

Unit 7.6: Progressivism under Woodrow Wilson What was the “Triple Wall of

Privilege”? What were the key parts of

Woodrow Wilson’s “New Federalism”?

What role did the Supreme Court and Constitutional Amendments play during the Progressive Movement?

Unit 7.6: Progressivism under Woodrow Wilson

What was the “Triple Wall of Privilege”? The Tariff

Wilson, and the Progressives, were opponents of high protective tariffs. They feared price inflation and retaliatory tariffs in response to high American tariffs.

The Payne-Aldrich Tariff taxed imports at a rate of 40% The Trusts

The Progressive Movement had been built on the foundation of attacking Monopoly Capitalism and Laissez-Faire economics.

The Banking System The inability of the government to regulate the amount of

money in circulation was creating an unstable currency. Also, certain banking practices, like easy credit and stock

speculation, placed the nation in economic jeopardy.


What were the key parts of Woodrow Wilson’s “New Freedom”? The Underwood Tariff

The first significant reduction of tariff rates in 50 years, this caused the need for the Federal Income Tax established by the Sixteenth Amendment.

Wilson believed a lower tariff would force business to become more efficient, lower prices, and produce higher quality products.

The Clayton Anti-Trust Act A modification of the Sherman Anti-Trust Law, this act exempted Labor Unions from

“restraint of trade” provisions. This did not mean that Unions were given carte blanche by the Federal Government.

The Federal Trade Commission This government agency would act as a “watch dog” for unfair business practices. They had the power to issue “cease and desist” orders to intractable businesses.

The Adamson Eight-Hour Act Provided compensation for overtime work

The Keating-Owen Child Labor Act Banned child labor in any commodities produced by children under the age of 14 Eventually ruled unconstitutional in Hammer v. Dagenhart A Constitutional Amendment to ban child labor also failed in ratification.


What were the key parts of Woodrow Wilson’s “New Freedom”? Possibly the most important component of the New Freedom

Program was the Federal Reserve Act. All national banks were required to join the Federal Reserve System. The nation was divided into twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks. The Federal Reserve serves banks, not private citizens. The “Fed” regulates credit by raising and lowering interest rates.

They raise interest rates to discourage loans and slow down the economy. They lower interest rates to encourage loans and speed up the economy.

By issuing paper notes, the Fed regulates the amount of money in circulation and, consequently, monitors the value of the money supply.

A Board of Directors composed of financial experts oversees the Federal Reserve.


What role did the Supreme Court and Constitutional Amendments play during the Progressive Movement? Lochner v. New York

Invalidated a New York State Law that had limited night work hours in bakeries. The Court argued that this violated the contract between employer and employee.

Muller v. Oregon Upheld a law that limited work hours for women laundry

workers only. It did not apply to other workers and did not overturn the Lochner decision.

The Court argued that the inherent “weakness” of women prompted the need for federal protection.

Adkins v. Children’s Hospital Held that a maximum 10-hour workweek for women in

Washington DC was unconstitutional.


What role did the Supreme Court and Constitutional Amendments play during the Progressive Movement? Sixteenth Amendment

Provided for a Federal Income Tax, the Amendment was necessary because the Supreme Court ruled in 1893 that an income tax was unconstitutional.

Seventeenth Amendment Replaced the appointment of U.S. Senators by State Legislatures, as prescribed

by the Constitution, with the Direct Election of U.S. Senators by the people. Eighteenth Amendment

Prohibited the “manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors” within the United States.

Many reformers equated society’s problems and corruption to alcohol abuse. The Amendment was ratified by was very unpopular, especially in the urban

centers. It led to the “Era of Lawlessness”, Organized Crime, and a general

disillusionment with “traditional heroes” in American Society and was later repealed by the Twenty-First Amendment.

Nineteenth Amendment Granted women the right to vote, no state could deny or abridge this right.

Unit 7.7: The Women’s Rights Movement What events led to ratification of

the Nineteenth Amendment and Women’s Suffrage?

What challenges still faced many women in the workplace and society?

Who were the major advocates for Women’s Rights during this time frame?

Unit 7.7: The Women’s Rights Movement

What events led to ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment and Women’s Suffrage? Although many younger men were more liberal than their older

predecessors, women still faced opposition in their quest for rights during the Progressive Movement.

World War I, and women’s service as nurses and factory workers, played a major role in altering the status of women in American society.

Carrie Chapman Catt, President of the National American Women’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA), began pushing for a Constitutional Amendment rather than depend on each state to independently grant women the right to vote.

Some women took a more militant approach picketing in the streets, holding parades, and going on hunger strikes.

In 1920 the 19th Amendment was ratified granting Women’s Suffrage. Carrie Chapman Catt then formed the League of Women Voters to keep

women informed of campaign issues and the platforms of important candidates.

Unit 7.7: The Women’s Rights Movement What challenges still faced many women in the

workplace and society? Despite the right to vote women still found themselves

relegated to second-class citizenship. The predominant issue facing women in the workplace

was, and would remain for many years (now), “equal pay for equal work”.

The other major obstacle that faced women in the workplace was the “Glass Ceiling”. This represents an invisible barrier between women and promotion to higher-level jobs and increased independence in the workforce.

Despite their Achievements, women received little support from major Progressives like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.

Unit 7.7: The Women’s Rights Movement

Who were the major advocates for Women’s Rights during this time frame? Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Authored Women and Economics in which she advocated for women’s financial independence.

Margaret Sanger Recognizing the ill-effects that unwanted pregnancy had on women, especially

poor women, Sanger advocated for the legalization of birth control. She was, at one point, arrested for distributing contraceptives through the U.S.

Mail. She later set up the nation’s first Birth Control Clinic for women.

Alice Paul Separated from NAWSA (not militant enough for Paul) and formed the National

Women’s Party. She engaged in acts of Civil Disobedience to protest for a Constitutional

Amendment granting women’s suffrage. Jeanette Rankin

Became the first woman elected to Congress in 1917. A leading member of the Peace Movement, she voted against U.S. intervention

in both World War I and World War II.

Unit 7.8: The first major Civil Rights Movement How did the philosophies of Booker T.

Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois differ while at the same time advocating for African American advancement?

How did the philosophy of Marcus Garvey differ from these other early Civil Rights leaders?

What ultimately caused the end of the Progressive Movement?

Unit 7.8: The first major Civil Rights Movement

How did the philosophies of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois differ while at the same time advocating for African American advancement? Booker T. Washington

Washington’s focus was on economic independence and cooperation and coexistence between southern whites and African Americans.

In Washington’s famous “Atlanta Compromise” Speech he encouraged Southern Whites to “put down their bucket” with African Americans rather than seek the employment of immigrants (a foreign people that they did not know the nature and habits of).

Washington also encouraged African Americans to “put down their bucket” with Southern Whites and not let past injustice and lingering resentment taint their decision making.

Washington founded the Tuskegee Institute (a Center for Vocational Training) to further advance the cause of economic independence.

Washington believed that economic independence would lead to political and social freedom.

Washington’s moderate position on the condition of African Americans obviously met with wide approval amongst Southern Whites. He was at one point invited to dinner at the White House by President Roosevelt.


How did the philosophies of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois differ while at the same time advocating for African American advancement? W.E.B. Du Bois

Educated at Harvard and born after the Civil War (Washington was born a slave) Du Bois had serious concerns about Washington’s passive approach to the acquisition of rights already guaranteed by the Constitution.

Du Bois demanded that “White America” end racism and segregation. He argued that the vanguard of African American society (what he called

the “talented tenth”) should seek university educations and lead political activism.

The Civil Rights Movement organized by W.E.B. Du Bois became known as the Niagara Movement and later morphed into the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

The NAACP won some early victories in the cause of Civil Rights and their war on Jim Crow Segregation: Buchanan v. Worley (1915): overturned a Louisville, Kentucky law that required

segregated communities. Guinn v. United States (1919): ruled unconstitutional Oklahoma’s use of the

Grandfather Clause.


How did the philosophy of Marcus Garvey differ from these other early Civil Rights leaders? Garvey embraced Black Nationalism as the solution to the problems of

African Americans. Garvey believed that African Americans would never gain acceptance and

equality in the United States. He created the Universal Negro Improvement Association with the goal of

creating an independent African State for African Americans escaping segregation and discrimination.

He also supported educated African Americans going “back to Africa” to work to end European Oppression of African Colonies.

Many African Americans, often very poor, invested their life savings in what became the Black Star Line, a fleet of ships that would carry them to a new homeland free of white oppression in Africa.

When Garvey’s scheme failed thousands of African Americans lost what little money they had and were ruined by the “Back To Africa” Movement.

Garvey was repudiated by W.E.B. Du Bois and other African American leaders who saw a future in fighting for greater rights here in the United States.


What ultimately caused the end of the Progressive Movement? The attention of the nation was diverted away from reform

efforts as the Great War broke in Europe and American involvement appeared more and more imminent.

The devastation of the Great War disillusioned many Americans with the idea that greater government involvement resulted in improved democracy.

The false prosperity of the 1920s led many to believe that reform efforts were no longer warranted, they had indeed perfected society.

Many simply were tired of reform, reform is hard work. They supported President Warren G. Harding’s call for a “Return to Normalcy” to simpler times not filled with law breaking, protests, and civil disobedience.











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AP US History Unit 7

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