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Carnegie Steel Company is formed.
was a steel producing company created by Andrew Carnegie to manage business at his steel mills in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area in the late 19th century. -
George Westinghouse invents the airbrake.
The railway air brake was invented by George Westinghouse of New York state in 1869. Soon after, he moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he established the Westinghouse Air Brake Company (WABCO) on September 28, 1869 -
Standard Oil Company is formed.
was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world[6] and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational corporations until it was broken up by the United States Supreme Court in 1911. -
The Pullman strike.
was a nationwide conflict between labor unions and railroads that occurred in the United States in 1894. The conflict began in the town of Pullman, Illinois on May 11 when approximately 3,000 employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company began a wildcat strike in response to recent reductions in wages, bringing traffic west of Chicago to a halt.The American Railway Union, the nation's first industry-wide union, led by Eugene V. Debs, subsequently became embroiled in what The New York Times des -
Anti-Saloon League founded.
was the leading organization lobbying for prohibition in the United States in the early 20th century. It was a key component of the Progressive Era, and was strongest in the South and rural North, drawing heavy support from pietistic Protestant ministers and their congregations, especially Methodists, Baptists, Disciples and Congregationalists -
Erdman Act outlaws “yellow dog” contracts for ICC companies.
A yellow-dog contract is an agreement between an employer and an employee in which the employee agrees, as a condition of employment, not to join a labor union. -
William McKinley defeats Bryan 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. He fights for legislation to regulate corporations for the public good, provide for conservation of natural resources, and governance uncorrupted by business influence.
Currency Act puts the U.S. on the gold standard -
1901
-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.
-Roosevelt invites black educator Booker T. Washington to the White House, generating immense controversy, particularly among southern racists. -
Workers & Women
-The United Mine Workers go on strike in Pennsylvania.
-Employer's liability laws for workmen's compensation are passed at the state level from 1902 forward, beginning in Maryland.
-Women's right to vote is recognized — in Australia, but not yet in the US. -
Expedition Act—priority in federal courts expedites antitrust cases
-Roosevelt establishes a cabinet-level Department of Commerce and Labor.
-Seeking to expand the weak and ineffectual powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Elkins Act is passed, which made the acceptance of "rebates" punishable.
-The US backs Panama in a revolt against Columbia
-The Ford Motor Company is established. -
Muckrakers begin to arouse public opinion on social ills.
-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.
-A St. Louis exposition popularizes hamburgers and the ice cream cone is invented. Cooking with electricity is showcased, along with other "marvels of technology". -
1905
-The war between Russia and Japan comes to an end, with Roosevelt brokering the Treaty of Portsmouth (
-Russia is forced to abandon its campaign of imperialism in Asia.
-Americans return Roosevelt to the Presidency with a resounding victory. -
1906 part1
-Construction of the Panama Canal begins.
-The Hepburn Act is passed, which serves to strengthen the Interstate Commerce Commission. This gives the federal government greater control over the railroad companies.
-The Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act are both passed, a direct consequence of the writings of investigative journalists.
-The Cuban Conservative party is accused of using fraudulent means of winning an election, and the revolution of 1906 follows. -
1906 part2
-US troops invade Cuba to quell the rebellion.
-US crushes attempt at Philippine independence.
-Roosevelt receives the Nobel Peace prize for his role in brokering the Treaty of Portsmouth that brought an end to the Russo-Japanese war.
-The right of women to vote in national elections is recognized in Finland. -
1907
-Japanese immigration is barred from the US by Roosevelt in a "Gentlemen's Agreement" with Japan.
-Roosevelt, intent on displaying US military might, launches the "Great White Fleet".
-Coal mine explosions kill 361 people in West Virginia. -
1908
-Robert LaFollette notes that the US economy is dominated by fewer than 100 men, all of whom were controlled by J. P. Morgan and Standard Oil investment banking groups.
-Works to pass the Aldrich-Vreeland Currency Act to regulate the banking industry.
-Roosevelt appoints a national commission for conserving natural William Taft, a former attorney who really wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice, becomes president.
-THE FBI IS ESTABLISHED! -
1909
-The NAACP is established.
-An expansion of the Homestead Act of 1862 is passed.
-The "Great White Fleet" returns, after circling the globe.
-The 16th constitutional amendment is approved, authorizing the federal government to collect income taxes.
-The president of Nicaragua is forced to leave office by US. -
1910
-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.
-Hiram Johnson is elected Governor of California.
-He ends corruption of Californian politics by the Southern Pacific Railroad, and pushes through an extensive program of Progressive reforms.
-Progressive Republicans and Democrats alike join forces to reduce the powers of the office. -
1911
-US helps to overthrow the president of the Honduras.
-Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire in a New York City sweatshop results in the deaths of 147 employees. -
1912
-Textile workers strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
-Woodrow Wilson elected president. -
1913
-The first US minimum wage law is enforced in Oregon
-Norway recognizes the right of women to vote.
-Woman march for suffrage in Washington, DC
-The 17th Constitutional Amendment is adopted, providing for the direct election of senators, rather than by state legislatures.
-The Federal Reserve System is established, and begins to provide central banking by privately owned banks, initiating permanent deficits.
-The Department of Labor is split from the Department of Commerce. -
1914
- -
1916
Adamson Act mandates 8-hour day, time and a half for overtime for RR workers under I.C.C. Federal Farm Loan Act and Warehouse Act assist farmers. Wilson reelected over Charles Evans Hughes. -
1919
18th Amendment outlaws sale of alcoholic beverages in the U.S. Volstead Act carries out intent through legislation. Prohibition begins. -
1920
19th Amendment ratified; women have the right to vote. Federal bureau of the Budget established to oversee government spending -
1921
Sheppard-Towner Act assists pregnant women, infants with health care. -
1924
Robert La Follette gains 4.8 million votes as Progressive candidate for president.
