Progressive Era

Woman's Christian Temperance Union

1873

In 1873, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union formed. This organization was dedicated to many causes, although prohibition was its major cause.

Interstate Commerce Act

1887

This federal law was enacted to regulate the monopolistic practices of the railroad industry. However, it did not authorize the government to actually fix any issues.

Sherman Antitrust Act

1890

This federal law was designed to regulate monopolistic trusts. It was meant to encourage competition by preventing unfair monopolies from being formed and/or maintained.

John Dewey

1890

In 1890, John Dewey and James Hayden Tufts wrote "Ethics." This publication centered around a new style of psychology, which would later become known as functional psychology.

National American Woman Suffrage Association

1890

In 1890, the National American Woman Suffrage Association formed. Its primary goal was nationwide female suffrage.

How the Other Half Lives

1890

This collection of photojournalism exposed the awful living conditions in industrial slums, specifically in New York City. It helped inspire housing reforms.

Ida B. Wells

1892

In 1892, investigative journalist Ida B. Wells wrote a pamphlet called "Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases." This pamphlet revealed the true nature of the lynching of black citizens in the South; they were being killed not as punishment for crime, but as a ways for white Southerners to control them.

Anti-Saloon League

1893

The Anti-Saloon League was formed in 1893 at Oberlin, Ohio. It was a major organization that promoted prohibition. It would become the most powerful prohibition party in the US.

Eugene V. Debs

1894

Eugene V. Debs was a union leader. He helped organize the Pullman Strike, a nationwide strike that was put down by the US Army.

Square Deal Policy

1901

In 1901, President Roosevelt made his domestic policy clear and simple: he would treat all citizens equally. This policy largely supported the middle class and laborers.

Robert La Follette

1901

Robert La Follette served as governor of Wisconsin for 5 years. During his term, he introduced the primary system of senatorial election, which would become adopted nationwide.

Anthracite Coal Strike

1902

This strike in eastern Pennsylvania was organized by the United Mine Workers of America. The goal was to get higher wages, recognition of their union, and shorter workdays. President Roosevelt intervened, giving both the workers and the mine owners a bit of what they wanted.

Elkins Act

1903

This act amended the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. It allowed the ICC to essentially crush railroad companies offering rebates via intense fines.

Department of Commerce and Labor

1903

This Cabinet department was created to regulate excesses of big businesses. It was later replaced by the Department of Commerce in 1913.

Ida Tarbell

1904

In 1904, journalist Ida Tarbell wrote "The History of the Standard Oil Company." This book was an exposé on the corrupt inner workings of the oil industry.

Lincoln Steffens

1904

In 1904, journalist Lincoln Steffans wrote the book "The Shame of the Cities." It detailed corrupt political workings in major US cities.

Northern Securities Antitrust

1904

This Supreme Court case was against the Northern Securities Co. and the US federal government. The case was regarding the company forming an illegal monopoly. The company lost this case, and was forced to dissolve.

Pure Food and Drug Act

1906

This act banned the traffic of mislabeled or adulterated food/drugs. It also required that these foods/drugs be inspected by a federal agency to ensure they met the standards.

Meat Inspection Act

1906

This federal law made it illegal to misbrand or adulterate meat. This law applied to imported meat as well.

The Jungle

1906

This novel portrayed the sad lives of immigrants in industrialized cities in the US. The main goal of the book was to advance socialism in the US, but this failed.

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

1911

This fire occurred at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, and resulted in the deaths of 146 workers.

Progressive (Bull Moose) Party

1912

This third party was formed by ex-president Theodore Roosevelt. His new party was focused around progressive reforms. After it lost the 1912 election, it quickly faded away.

17th Amendment

1913

This amendment to the US Constitution changed the way that Senators were elected; the public would now vote directly for Senators.

Underwood Tariff

1913

This act imposed a federal income tax. It also lowered basic tariff rates to 25%.

Federal Reserve Act

1913

This act of Congress officially established the Federal Reserve System, which is still in use today. It has the authority to issue Federal Reserve Notes.

Clayton Antitrust Act

1914

This act built upon the Sherman Antitrust Act, adding remedial measures, specific prohibited conduct, and a 3-level enforcement scheme.

Federal Trade Commission

1914

The Federal Trade Commission was established in 1914, and remains to this day. It exists primarily to uphold consumer protection and to eliminate monopolies.

Margaret Sanger

1914

In 1914, Margaret Sanger wrote "Family Limitation." This book was about contraception, and she was prosecuted for it under the Comstock Act. She continued to fight for the right of contraception in the US throughout her life.

Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

1916

This statute prohibited the sale of interstate goods produced in factories that employed workers under the age of 14.

18th Amendment

1917

This amendment to the US Constitution prohibited alcohol in the US by banning its production, transport, and sale. However, neither consumption nor private possession were included in this.

19th Amendment

1920

This amendment to the US Constitution enacted nationwide female suffrage.