Group 4 Flashcards
(51 cards)
PROGRESSIVE ERA #184
184
Time: 1890 through 1920
What: The progressive movement had its roots in prior reform movements attempting to address the problems and inequalities of the Gilded Age. It partially succeeded in improving life for average Americans by curbing big businesses, making the government more responsive to the will of the people, improving health and labor standards, and enacting social welfare legislation. Muckrakers like Upton Sinclair and reformers such as James Addams helped spark the change that occurred during this era. Government began to depart from the tradition of laissez faire and use its power to regulate and reform.
John Muir #185
185
Time: Alive 1838 through 1914
Who: Known as the, “Father of the National Parks” he was an advocate for the preservation of nature during a time when much of it was being overrun by industrialization. His works, such as Mountains of California and Stickeen aided in inspiring a movement (that still persists today) for the conservation of places where people could connect with nature. He also inspired the founding of the National Parks (home.nps.gov).
Jacob Riis #186
186
Time: Alive 1849 through 1914
Who: A Dane who, in the U.S., first worked as a police reporter for the New York Tribune, Jacob Riis became known for his poignant photos on conditions of the slums in Manhattan. His most famous book, How the Other Half Lives, gained vast recognition after its publishing in 1890 for its striking use of photography to demonstrate the awful conditions of poverty but also the humanity that could be found in every person. He is known as, “one of the leading progressive era muckrakers of New York City” and continued lecturing about social conditions until his death (icp.org).
Upton Sinclair/The Jungle #187
187
Time: Alive 1878 through 1968 and book published in 1905
Who/What: Upton Sinclair, a young writer and, “devout socialist” was looking for inspiration for his new novel. So, after blending in as a worker in the “Packingtown” of Chicago, he saw first hand how the meat packing industries were exploiting both the workers and the consumers. So, he wrote The Jungle (a metaphor for capitalism), a novel centered around a Lithuanian immigrant struggling in a capitalistic society as he works at a meat-packing company, with the hopes of convincing the public to turn from capitalism to socialism. The novel, however, mostly horrified Americans with the food they were consuming, sparking the pure food movement and much more stern restrictions on food manufacturing companies (History.com.
W.E.B Dubois/NAACP #188
188
Time: Alive 1868 through 1963 and the NAACP was founded in 1909
Who/What: W.E.B Dubois- the first African American to receive a PhD from Harvard- was one of many in the early 1900s unsettled with the compromising policies of Booker T. Washington, and met with other black intellectuals like him in Niagara Falls in 1905 to put forth policies calling for no discrimination at all based on race or color, among other ideals. When this didn’t work, Dubois helped found the NAACP (the, “National Organization for the Advancement of Colored People”) and served as its director of publicity and research, publishing stories about lynchings and cruelty towards Black people not published by other papers. The NAACP grew through various court victories and awareness throughout the U.S., and is still a prominent organization today (NEH.gov).
Square Deal #189
189
Time: Picked up momentum in 1903
What: Known generally as the decisions made by President Roosevelt that were buttressed by sentiments of “fair play”, a square deal consisted of the, “three C’s”- Corporate regulation, consumer protection, and conservationism. Roosevelt used the term “Square Deal” many times throughout his presidency, such as when talking about African American rights or working conditions. He stated that one should have a square deal as long as they exemplify, “the qualities that entitle him to the respect of his fellows” (TRCenter.org).
Northern Securities Case (1904) #190
190
Time: 1904
What: In order to try to control railroads to the West while bypassing the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890, the J.P. Morgan railroad company (Northern Pacific Railroad) and James J. Hill railroad company (Great Northern Railroad) created the Northern Securities company that held both stocks for the two founding companies and also many other railroad companies. Under the order of Roosevelt, however, Attorney General Philander Knox brought Northern Securites to court for breaching the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, and the court ruled in favor of the government (Edge.SagePub.com).
Jane Addams (Settlement House Movement) #191
191
Time: Alive 1860 through 1935 and movement founded in 1886
Who/What: A founder of the National Child Labor Committee, first female president of the National Conference of Charities and Corrections, founder of the Hull House in Chicago, and Nobel Peace Prize winner (among other things), Jane Addams made significant contributions to the social welfare cause when not much of that was happening in America during the time. The Settlement House Movement comprised of houses all throughout the nation where (mostly native-born) women would provide a place to shelter, care for, and feed families (mostly immigrant families). They also provided connections for these families so they could prosper after leaving the house. The two most prominent were the Hull House and the Henry Street Settlement (SocialWelfare.Library.VCU.edu) (AmericanPageant).
National American Women Suffrage Association (NAWSA) #192
192
Time: Founded in 1890
What: A combination of the NWSA (favoring a federal constitution amendment) and AWSA (favoring state campaigns) groups, the NAWSA was headed by the goal of getting a vote for women, backed by the fact that they were, “indispensable in the public decision-making process” by how much of a part they were of society. After the role women played in WWI and a series of state campaigns, they finally achieved their goal in 1920 via the Nineteenth Amendment (LOC.gov) (AmericanPageant).
Frederick W. Taylor #193
193
Time: Alive 1856 through 1915
Who: Known as the “Father of Scientific Management”, Frederick W. Taylor rose up the ranks of a company called Middle Steel where he became proficient in treating steel. He created the Taylor-White process for tempering steel and also a high-speed cutting tool for steel. What gave him his name, though, were his views and practices in companies with a majority of hard-laboreres. Taylor proposed in his Principles of Scientific Management that all things that didn’t add value should be taken out and also different ways to get workers to lift the most and work harder. His ideas were controversial then but were widely adopted (and still are today) (ASME.org).
Bull Moose Party #194
194
Time: 1911 through 1912
What: After being President for two terms, Roosevelt decided to run again but, after not being re-nominated by the Republican Party, he formed his own party called the Progressive/Bull Moose Party. This party strove for a, “broad reform platform”, advocating for farm relief, and eight hour workday, and women’s suffrage (to which it did help many states to achieve). While Roosevelt didn’t win, he was the most successful third party candidate in a Presidential race. The party fizzled out after the loss (DP.la).
Federal Trade Commision Act #195
195
Time: Enacted in 1914
What: A standing commission appointed by the President that was meant to, “investigate illegal business practices in interstate commerce” such as reducing unfair competition, ensuring well treatment of consumers, limiting false advertising, and collecting information on various businesses (FTC.gov) (AmericanPageant).
Federal Reserve Act #196
196
Time: Established in 1913
What: A law that established a Federal Reserve Board (appointed by the President) to oversee twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks (also established by this law), the goal being to create some security in the U.S. in banking while creating a more flexible system. It helped the U.S. make it (financially) through WWI and has been adapted a few times since it was established (FederalReserve.gov) (AmericanPageant).
IMPERIALISM AND WORLD WAR I #197
197
Time: 1890 through 1918
What: From 1890 to 1918, the United States became increasingly active and aggressive in world affairs, departing from the tradition of neutrality and isolation. Fueled by economic growth, WASP cultural superiority, and nationalism, the United States expanded its sphere of influence through imperialistic endeavors. American expansionism had roots in the idea of Manifest Destiny and American entry into Asian and American markets around the Civil War. Expansionism became pronounced with the Spanish-American War, resulted in growing American influence in Latin America, the Pacific, and Asia, and eventually led the U.S. into WWI. Immigration, expansion, and racial divisions led to debates over American identity and civil rights.
President Theodore Roosevelt #198
198
Time: 1901 through 1909
Party: Republican
Who: The youngest president so far, Roosevelt was a celebrated Spanish-American War lieutenant colonel, governor of New York State, and V.P. under William McKinley. After McKinley was assassinated, Theodore Roosevelt assumed the 26th Presidency and was quickly known as a, “trust buster” acting under the Sherman Act, received the Nobel Peace Prize for, “mediating the Russo-Japanese War”, and was a life-long conservationist during and after his time in office. He left the Presidency after his second term but ran again three years later, to which he was shot (not fatally) and lost. He died in 1919, proud of his work in life (WhiteHouse.gov).
Spanish American War #199
199
Time: 1898
What: After three years of fighting by those in Cuba seeking to gain independence from Spain, the U.S. sought to aid Cuba (and fight against the Spaniards in hopes of ridding them from the Western Hemisphere) and formally declared war with Spain, sending troops and naval fleets against them. Peace terms were discussed and the war was ended with the 1898 Treaty of Paris, where Cuba was given its independence, the U.S. obtained Guam and Puerto Rico, the U.S. bought the Philippines. The U.S. also annexed Hawaii during the war, and kept developing its economic practices in Asia (History.state.gov).
Alfred Thayer Mahan #200
200
Time: Alive 1840 through 1914
Who: An established naval officer, Mahan was lecturing on history and strategy at the Naval War College in Rhode Island when he published his The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783. This book caused a major shift in naval importance (especially in the U.S.), prompting rapid growth and shifting of the U.S. navy, the development of bases overseas for U.S ships to refuel, and the Panama Canal. He also influenced naval shifts in the militaries of Japan, Germany, and England, his work setting the stage for WWI (Columbia.edu).
Anti-Imperialist League #201
201
Time: 1898 through 1921
What: Formed to oppose the U.S. annexation/oversight of the Philippines (for economic, legal, racial, and moral reasons), it comprised of a diverse group of people- Clergymen, industrialists, university presidents, etc.- from mainly the Northeast, some notable members being Andrew Carnegie and Mark Twain. It was, “the largest lobbying organization on a U.S. foreign-policy issue until the end of the nineteenth century”, but eventually broke down after the 1898 purchase of the Philippines by the U.S. and later struggles between Filipino nationalists and American forces (Guides.lov.gov) (AmericanPageant).
Panama Canal #202
202
Time: Built 1903 through 1914
What: An efficient and cheaper way to transport goods, the Panama Canal- though initially rejected by the Colombian Congress- was given permission to be built after Panama became a Republic. In return for the land, the U.S. had to pay 10 million plus $250,000 a year to Panama. While a great financial and economic-power win for the U.S., it remains as a stiff point in U.S.-Panamanian relations (History.State.gov).
Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine #203
203
Time: 1904
What: Supported by Theodore Roosevelt’s annual message to Congress n 1904, it was an enacted policy of “preventative intervention” that allowed the U.S. to step in in Latin American domestic affairs with the goal of mediating financial and military order. This extension to the Monroe Doctrine was prompted due to a supposed upcoming invasion of Venezuela and was used in following invasions of Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic (History.state.gov) (AmericanPageant).
Open Door Notes #204
204
Time: 1899 through 1900
What: Noting upon what had prior been happening in proceedings but never formally established, the Open Door Notes written by John Hay were diplomatic letters urging international agreement of upholding equal opportunities for trade and commerce with China. Due to the notes, the “Open Door Policy” was established which strove to give the U.S. access to Chinese markets, even though the U.S. was not vastly eminent there. The policy remained for about fifty years (History.state.gov) (AmericanPageant).
President William Howard Taft #205
205
Time: 1909 through 1913
Party: Republican
Who: A lawyer, federal circuit judge, chief civil administrator in the Philippines (to which he did improve the economy some), and Secretary of War, Taft was overall anxious about his presidential campaign and- in some ways- presidency. During his 27th Presidency, he advocated for less Presidential power, upheld his Secretary of the Interior (angering progressives), helped prompt 80 antitrust suits, and helped give states the power for amendment to Federal income taxes and the elections of Senators. He also aided in the establishment of a postal system and restrictions on railroad rates. After his term, he was appointed to- and much more enjoyed the portion of- Chief Justice of the U.S. (WhiteHouse.gov).
President Woodrow Wilson #206
206
Time: 1913 through 1921
Party: Democratic
Who: A professor of political science, President of Princeton University, and Governor of New Jersey, he argued for states’ rights and individualism. As the 28th President, he lowered Tariffs, helped pass the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Trade Commission, banned child labor, and enforced the eight-hour workday for railroad workers. He then decided that the U.S. must go into war in WWI, and asked Congress to declare war on Germany. During WWI, he presented Congress with the Fourteen Points and proposed the Versailles Treaty (which was rejected). He died in 1924, under the care of his second wife (WhiteHouse.gov).
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand #207
207
Time: 1914
What: The supposed heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand- a general army inspictor at the time- was a firm opposer and criticist of the Serbian people. As he and his wife were making a tour around Bosnia-Herzegovina, a member of a group called the Black Hand named Princip Trifko Grabez shot and killed the Archduke, essentially setting off the firing pistol for WWI (History.com).
