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Mckinley dfts Bryan, Boxer Rebellion, Robert La Follette
William McKinley (Rep) defeats Bryan (Dem) in the race for the Presidency. In China, the Boxer Rebellion begins, as an attempt by Chinese nationalists to throw off foreign domination and exploitation. For self-interested economic reasons, the US sends troops to crush the rebellion. Robert La Follette, more truly a Progressive than Theodore Roosevelt, begins the first of three terms as a reform governor of Wisconsin. He fights for legislation to regulate corporations for the public good, pr -
Period: to
Progressive Era
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US Socialist Party, US Steel Founded, Mckinley Assassinated
The US Socialist Party is established at Indianapolis, Indiana. McKinley is assassinated; Theodore Roosevelt becomes US President. US Steel, an immense trust, is organized by financier J. P. Morgan. -
Mine Worker's Strike, Reclamation Act
The United Mine Workers go on strike in Pennsylvania. In the first Federal intervention in a labor dispute, Roosevelt forces mine owners to arbitrate with the miners. The Reclamation Act of 1902 makes possible the initiation of a large-scale program of federal irrigation and hydroelectric development , primarily in arid western lands. -
Department of Commerce and Labor, Ford Motor Established, Wright Brothers
Roosevelt establishes a cabinet-level Department of Commerce and Labor. The Ford Motor Company is established. The Wright Brothers achieve powered flight. -
Japan-Russo War, Roosevelt Corollary
War breaks out between Russia and Japan. Roosevelt is elected to his second term in office. Potential European intervention in Latin America is challenged with the announcement of the "Roosevelt Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine. This commits the US to "policing" the area. -
Swift and Company v. US, The Jungle
Another successful prosecution of a trust, in this case a beef trust, is launched with Swift and Company v. United States. The war between Russia and Japan comes to an end, with Roosevelt brokering the Treaty of Portsmouth (at Portsmouth, New Hamshire). Russia is forced to abandon its campaign of imperialism in Asia. The Socialist weekly magazine Appeal to Reason begins serial publication of author Upton Sinclair's book, The Jungle, which reveals the horrors of the meat packing industry. -
Pure Food and Drug Act, Cuban Rebellion
The Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act are both passed, a direct consequence of the writings of investigative journalists (the "muckrakers"). The Cuban Conservative party is accused of using fraudulent means of winning an election, and the revolution of 1906 follows. US troops invade Cuba to quell the rebellion. -
The Great White Fleet
Roosevelt, intent on displaying US military might, launches the "Great White Fleet". -
William Taft, Model T
William Taft, a former attorney who really wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice, becomes president. He proves inept, timid, and conservative.Henry Ford begins marketing an affordable automobile, the "Model T", to Americans. -
NAACP, 16th Amendment
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People established.The 16th constitutional amendment is approved, authorizing the federal government to collect income taxes. -
Mark Twain, FDR, Social Darwinism
Author Mark Twain dies. American philosopher and psychologist William James also dies this year. Franklin Delano Roosevelt wins a seat in the state senate of New York.US sociologist William Graham Sumner, whose theories of Social Darwinism had provided intellectual cover for the depredations of the industrialists, dies. -
Archduke Assassinated, Federal Trade Commission Established
The Archduke of Austria is assassinated in Sarajevo. Of no immense significance in itself, the event serves as the pretext for Germany to declare war on Russia, initiating World War I. Some 9 million men, woman and children die for nothing, entire countries are brought to ruination, and the stage is set for World War II. The Federal Trade Commission is established, and begins to function to regulate interstate commerce. First great financial panic of the 20th century occurs.
