Mini-Lesson: The Progressive Movement

Summary: The progressive era focused on improving America after the period of industrialization. This
included economic, social, political, and workplace reforms that all improved life for the average American.
Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson took major steps in destroying monopolies and restoring
business competition, and lowering tariffs. Socially, women obtained their right to vote, while the assembly
line was invented to speed up production times.
Vocabulary:
Theodore Roosevelt US President that heavily regulated big businesses. Passed Meat
Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act, and preserved a lot of
US land.
Woodrow Wilson US President that also regulated business, passed the Clayton Antitrust Act and Federal
Trade Commission. Passed Underwood Tariff, and sixteenth Amendment.
Sherman Antitrust Act Cave Congress power to break up trusts that were destroying smaller competition
Conservation To protect Americas nature and land for future generations through Parks.
Sierra Club Oldest environmental organization in the US, founded by John Muir
Meat Inspection Act Ensured trustworthy practice in the food industry
Federal Reserve A system of 12 banks that controls the amount of currency
in the U.S.
Sixteenth Amendment
Created Americas first income tax, and made it a graduated tax
Seventeenth Amendment Allowed Americans to vote for their own senators
Prohibition Movement that banned alcohol in the United States
Womens Suffrage Movement The fight to get women the right to vote, which was achieved in 1919 when
congress passed the 19th Amendment
Reform To better the situation or improve something
Progressive Movement A movement to improve aspects of life for all Americans.
Underwood Tariff Implementation of a graduated income tax and lowering the of US Tariff rates
Assembly Line Invention that sped up the production process in factories.
Essential Questions
1. Two US Presidents, most notably Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow
Wilson, participated heavily in regulating business in the United States. Multiples acts were passed that
reduced the power of these trusts and monopolies. Some of these acts include the Interstate Commerce Act,
and the Sherman Anti Trust Act, which allowed government to break up businesses that were preventing
competition. In addition to these, the Clayton Antitrust Act and the Federal Trade Commission also broke up
monopolies.
2. The purpose of the Federal Reserve was to provide the United States with a more flexible and stable
financial system. The Federal Reserve influences money and credit conditions in the economy, and regulates
banks and other important financial institutions. The Underwood Tariff was designed to reduce the average
tariff on imported goods, and create a graduated income tax, which would compensate for the lowering of the
tariff. This would help western businesses that struggled with a high tariff.
3. The conservation movements goal was to protect Americas resources and land for future generations. This
also prevented all of American Land from becoming a spot for business. This movement allowed Americans to
enjoy the great outdoors of the country. This protected animal and plant species for future use.
4. Theodore and Woodrow Wilson passed multiple acts that gave congress power to break up monopolies and
big businesses preventing competition. These acts included the Clayton Antitrust Act and the Sherman
Antitrust Act, putting more regulation power into the hands of the government. The Federal Trade Commission
and the Interstate Commerce Act allowed the government to determine the prices of those that seemed
monopolistic.
5. The Sixteenth and Nineteenth Amendments are considered Progressive Amendments because they gave
more power to the people, power that has been long fought for. Especially the women suffrage, which was
wanted by society for decades, has finally been achieved, and pushed society forward.
1. The Progressive era was the most successful because it accomplished many things that were being fought
for in previous eras. Most notable were womens rights, childrens rights, and business reform. The least
successful era might be the populist era because not many ideas were put into action.
2. The economic trend experienced greatest change. It went from almost no reforms to many much needed
reforms. I think this is because economically, the nation changed very drastically from when it began. The
need for economic reform eventually became necessary.