History section 21

political machines

Powerful organizations that used both legal and illegal methods to get their candidates elected to Public office.

progressives

Reformers who worked to improve society in the late 1800s.

muckrakers

Journalists who " racked up " and exposed the muck ( filth ) of society.

17th Amendment

allowed Americans to vote directly for U.S senators.

initiative

allowed voters to propose a new law by collecting signatures on petition.

referendum

permitted voters to approve or reject a law that had already been proposed or passed by a government.

Pendleton Civil Service Act

Applicants for government jobs had to pass an exam before they could be hired.

What was the main goal of political machines during the Gilded Age?

The main goal of political machines at that time was to control local government.

Why did immigrants support political machines?

Immigrants supported political machines because they provided jobs and services such as a fire brigade.

What effect did muckrakers have on reform?

Muckrakers influenced voters, causing them to put pressure on politicians, the politicians then had to support reforms.

How did Progressives try to improve education?

Progressives tried to improve education by passing laws saying that " All children must go to school. "

Who was John Dewey? How did he influence American education?

John Dewey was a key supporter of early childhood education. His motive was to help children learn problem solving skills, not just memorizing facts.

What new ideas and practices were introduced to give voters more power?

* 17th Amendment * ability to recall or remove an official before the end of his or he term * initiatives * referendums

Why was the Pendleton Civil Service Act necessary?

Each time a new political party took power, it replaced many government members.

child labor laws

laws passed in 1916-1919 banned products made with child labor from being shipped from state to state

workers’
compensation laws

laws that guarantied a portion of lost wages to workers injured on the job

capitalism

An economic system in which private businesses run most industries and competition determines the price of goods

socialism

An economic system in which the government owns and operates the countries factories and businesses

What jobs did child laborers often hold?

Boys – often sold newspapers of shined shoes on the street Girls – often cooked or cleaned sewed for borderers staying with their families Both – worked in factories mines and mills

Why did businesses employ children in factories?

Children were employed in factories because the owner could pay them very little.

What happened at the triangle shirtwaist company?

* A fire started on the 8th floor * workers tried to escape but the owners had locked the doors * 146 workers died in the fire

Why do you think the Industrial Workers of the world war
( IWW ) would frighten some people?

People thought they wanted to overthrow capitalism, the IWW would threaten businesses and used aggressive threats.

temperance

avoiding alcoholic drinks

18th Amendment (Prohibition)

banning the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages throughout the U.S.

suffrage

the right to vote

19th Amendment

granting women the right to vote

NAACP

an organization that called for economic and educational equality for African Americans

How did Alice Paul and the National Women’s Party, draw attention to the issue of woman’s sufferage?

They used parades, public demonstrations, picketing, hunger strikes and other means to draw attention to the suffrage caused. The even picketed infront of the white house and were arrested.

What role did Ida B. Wells play in reform efforts for African Americans?

She wrote articles about the unequal education available to African Americans, lynching against discrimination.

How did Booker T. Washington differ from other African American leaders?

He did not attack discrimination directly. He encouraged African Americans to become more educated and improve their finances. He believed that this would eventually lead to the end of discrimination.

Which groups were largely overlooked by the Progressive Movement?

Other groups such as American Indians and Chinese Immigrates were not directly helped by reforms.

arbitration

a formal process to settle disputes

Pure Food and Drug Act

the law prohibited the manufacture, sale and transportation of mislabeled or contaminated food and drugs in 1906

conservation

the protection of nature and its resources

16th Amendment

this amendment allows the federal government to improve direct taxes on citizens income

What was the basic idea behind Roosevelt’s Square Deal?

Interests of business people, laborers, and consumers should be balanced for the public good.

Why did Roosevelt create the Progressive Party?

He was angry with Taft’s policies because Taft was more cautious about reforms. Roosevelt believed in stricter controls of businesses.

What major reforms was Woodrow Wilson responsible for?

* Income taxes ( 16th ) Amendment * Ranking reform – Federal Reserve Act * Regulation of big businesses – Stronger laws against monopolies ; created the Federal Trade Commissions. ( FTC )