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Pendelton Act
The Pendelton Service Act was the very first example of government reform. Congress passed it and sought to eliminate the political spoils system by preventing the constant rewarding of federal jobs to loyal party members. The act established a merit based hiring procedure. -
Tariff act of 1890
Also known as the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890, this act was ratified with the intent to protect domestic manufacturing by lowering rates on certain items while raising them on others. As well as drastically increasing the taxes on foreign products with the goal to protect the growing industries within the United States. Unfortunately, this consequently increased American exports to unaffordable rates which caused continuous battles of the tariffs. -
Formation of the People's Party
Also identified as the Populist Party, this party was formed to support equal rights to all and restore principles declared by the founding fathers (even though they remained neutral on the rights of blacks). It was an agrarian bunch who felt exploited and ignored. Their campaign was to rectify governmental corruption and many of their efforts are seen in this day and age. -
Panic of 1893
A crisis that directly hit on the growing railroad industry when the stock market in Europe crashed and investors began selling off their bonds within America's projects. Consequently, big American banks went bankrupt and caused a panic for everyone to take their money out which resulted in a depression until 1897. -
Formation of the Socialist Party
As a direct result of the aftermath of The Great Panic of 1893, a group of Americans began questioning the capitalistic structure of the economy therefore adopting socialistic viewpoints. Socialism was proving to be a popular view throughout the Progressive Era with their efforts to promote more equality of citizens and a stabilized income. Therefore, the Socialist Party was established by Eugene Debs and opposed capitalism and authoritarian systems. They sought for a workers' democracy. -
Theodore Roosevelt Elected President
An influential and highly reformative presidency that helped shape the way for a better future for small business, international alliance, and conservation. His Square deal was instrumental for Progressive reforms and his presidency opened the doors and allowed many instrumental acts to be passed to protect consumers and the public as a whole. -
Assassination of President William McKinley
President McKinley was shot in the stomach and died 8 days later. This event signified the end of Plutocracy and the beginning of Progressivism with the election of Teddy Roosevelt to follow with the reform towards antitrust laws against big businesses. -
1902 Coal Strike
Miners of the Anthracite mine of PA went on strike to call attention to their low-quality wages, long work hours, and poor working conditions. Their strike campaign called for higher wages, 8 hour work day, and a recognition of their own workers union. This strike is significant in the fact that the federal government ruled in favor of the strikers and President Roosevelt stepping in to mediate without any use of force. -
Roosevelt Corollary
This marked the time that European intervention in the Western Hemisphere was over by President Roosevelt making a speech to clearly state that the US would intervene to ensure peace in the event that Latin American countries should fall into trouble. This act extended the Monroe Doctrine and gave right to the US to regulate the Caribbean, therefore expanding its power even further. -
National Child Labor Committee
A huge issue that was being addressed during the Progressive Era was the poor working conditions. It was becoming apparent that labor laws did not effectively protect workers which led to the development of this organization. Their mission was "promoting the rights, awareness, dignity, well-being and education of children and youth as they relate to work and working." Because of them, the concern was brought to state level and the movement towards implementing child labor laws were underway. -
Panama Canal Construction
The Panama Canal was a geological strategy that would further America's power and influence in the international trade department. It was completed in 1914 after the US took over the project from France and had a massive economic impact for America, making it one of the strongest nations in the world. The canal was able to accelerate the transportation of goods from the East to the West which resulted in the US's control of the oceans. -
The Jungle
A highly controversial and revealing book about the corruption of business and government during the 19th century. The author was Upton Sinclair, an American Muckracker. It exposed the health violations and unsanitary conditions of the meat packing industry in Chicago which influenced the 1906 Meat Inspection Act. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
One of the first consumer protection laws to be passed was the Pure Food and Drug Act. The Act laid down the foundation for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) we know today who's goal is to prohibit the sale of misbranded or tampered goods. -
Muller v. Oregon
A Supreme Court Decision upheld the constitutionality of the law that limited women to work 10 hours in factories or laundries. This opened up the controversial topic of whether women have the right to limited hours while men do not under state law. This was ruled in the women's favor, however many equal-rights feminists disagreed and felt that this restricted women's financial freedom. It also only protected white women. -
National Conservation Commission of 1909
A significant step towards the conservation of America's natural resources and curated by President Theodore Roosevelt. A crucial part of the progressive era was environmental reform and by passing this act to protect land, establish nation parks to keep natural resources safe was critical. -
Shirtwaist Factory Uprising
Also known as the "Uprising of the 20,000" this was a successful labor strike made against the Shirtwaist factory in NYC by a majority of female, Jewish seamstresses. They demanded improved safety conditions, paid overtime, pay increase, and lower hours. As a result, the strike opened renegotiation of their contracts as well as a start to the transformation of the garment factory industry as a whole. -
Woodrow Wilson Elected President
President Wilson continued the Progressive movement with a campaign foundation for more labor rights, a centralized government, and anti-trust regulation. He accomplished a more balanced and even playing field between national and state governments. He based many of his policies on moral compass versus materialism. -
16th Amendment
In response to the 1895 Supreme Court case of Pollock v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co., Congress ratified the 16th amendment in 1913 which grants Congress the authority to issue an income tax without having to determine it based on population. This amendment aided in a more central government and proved to be a beneficial revenue to the country. -
FTC
The Federal Trade Commission Act was one of the ant-trust legislations enacted under President Wilson. The Act enforces federal consumer protection laws and protects individuals from fraud, deceit, and unfair business. It prohibited unfair practices that may harm the consumer and created a commission to investigate such practices. -
18th Amendment
Also known as the Prohibition. This amendment was ratified in 1919 and established the prohibition of alcohol in the United States. As a result, Congress passed the Volstead Act which further defined the term "intoxicating liquors" and charged the US Treasury Department with enforcement. This was a time of controversy and increased crime. The amendment was later ratified by the 21st Amendment after 13 years. -
19th Amendment
A huge win for women's rights, this amendment directly gave women the right to vote. It was ratified in 1920 due to the roles of women changing drastically over the 19th century with them leaving the home and entering the workforce. Women were being more involved in the formation and future of America.