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The Homestead Act
To help develop the American West and spur economic growth, Congress passed the Homestead Act of 1862, which provided 160 acres of federal land to anyone who agreed to farm the land. The act distributed millions of acres of western land to individual settlers. -
The Pendleton Act
The Pendelton Act created a federal civil service where workers could be hired based on competitive exams instead of political influence. This federal law ensured that government jobs would be awarded on the basis of merit. It swayed away from patronage. -
The Progressive Movement
It was a political and social-reform movement that brought major changes to the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The movement’s goals involved strengthening the national government and addressing people’s economic, social, and political demands. Progressives saw elements of American society that they wished to reform, especially ending the extreme concentration of wealth among the elite and the enormous economic and political power of big business. Ended in 1920’s -
The Socialist Party of America
During the Progressive Era, many Americans supported and spread the idea of Socialism for the people which would potentially stabilize income and equality for the citizens. The Socialist mainly attempted to reform American economical policies and end capitalism. Formed by a merger between the three-year-old Social Democratic Party of America and disaffected elements of the Socialist Labor Party of America which had split from the main organization in 1899. -
The Meat Inspection Act
The Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906 was passed in Congress to address the conditions of meat distributed to Americans and the working environment of immigrant employees. During this period, it was common for people to experience food posioning and become a "tampered package" which effected their abilities to work. -
The 16th Amendment
The 16th amendment established Congress's right to impose a Federal income tax -
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory
The Triangle shirtwaist factory fire leads to the deaths of 146 workers, mostly young immigrant women, in an overcrowded and unsafe New York City clothing factory. The tragedy brings attention to the sweatshop conditions that many labor in. -
The 17th Amendment
United States Senators would now be directly elected by popular vote -
The 18th Amendment
The act of imposing the federal prohibition of alcohol. ... The amendment passed both chambers of the U.S. Congress in December 1917 and was ratified by the requisite three-fourths of the states in January 1919 -
The 19th Amendment
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.