The Progressive Era

Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall

Nov 16, 1860

Starting in the 1860s, William M. Tweed, or Boss Tweed, controlled New York City. He had power over the democratic party, the police, and he engaged in the spoils system, rewarding friends and special interests who supported him

Fight for minority rights

Jan 16, 1881

Booker T. Washington founded thee Tuskegee Institute which taught African Americans skills in farming and industry.

Standard Oil Trust Formed

Apr 16, 1882

John Rockefeller formed a trust of his holdings. He controlled an industry as the single producer.

The Pendleton Act

Jan 16, 1883

In response to corrupt government officials, Congress and President Chester A. Arthur passed the Pendleton Act which sought to end the spoils system by requiring civil service exams for all federal jobs.

Sherman Antitrust Act

Jul 2, 1890

In 1890, Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act. This prohibited the forming and operation of trusts and monopolies. It had little effect on big business.

Pullman Car Strike

May 1, 1894

In Chicago, Eugene V. Debs led a union strike against the Pullman Company. The government sent in military troops to end the chaos and violence. Debs was sent to jail for refusing to end the strike.

American Socialist Party

Jun 16, 1898

Eugene V. Debs helped form the American Socialist Party. The party sought to abolish capitalism in favor of economic and social equality.

Conservation and National Parks

Mar 16, 1905

Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt took great steps to protect and preserve America's wilderness from lumber companies. In 1905 he created thee US Forest Service which set out to create national parks which prevented development or deforestation.

The Jungle and the Pure Food and Drug Act

Jun 30, 1906

Upton Sinclair, a muckraker, exposed the horrors of the Chicago meat packing industry. The vivid description led the public to demand higher food standards, and in 1906 Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act which required labeling on all produced items.

NAACP

May 9, 1910

W.E.B. Du Bois believed that in order to gain reforms in society, African Americans had to vote. He formed the NAACP to counter threats made against voting African Americans, as well as protect the rights of minorities.

16th Amendment

Feb 3, 1913

Congress passed the Amendment which grants them the power to collect income tax. This regulated the wealthy barons of industry and allowed the working class to earn a better wage.

17th Amendment

Apr 8, 1913

This Amendment allowed for the direct election of senators. This gave the people more power over the corrupt politicians, holding them accountable for their actions

18th Amendment

Jan 17, 1920

Congress banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol within American Territory. This was a response to the outcry of the Temperance Movement which argued that alcohol harms social values and productivity.

19th Amendment

Aug 18, 1920

Congress granted suffrage rights to women. Women had fought for the right to vote for almost 100 years, claiming that the government ignored half the population, and therefore was ruling in tyranny.