SAQs for APUSH Topic 7.4— The Progressives

Ten questions designed to help students review for the annual exam and that relate to those who from 1890 to 1920 wanted the government to take a more active role in addressing the problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and political corruption.

1. Between 1890 to 1920, some Progressives searched for and exposed the muck that flowed from the Second Industrial Revolution. Name and briefly describe the muck Uptain Sinclair exposed in his book The Jungle. Name and briefly describe the muck Ida Tarbell exposed in her book The History of the Standard Oil Company. Name and briefly describe the muck Jacob Riis exposed in his book How The Other Half Lives. Name and briefly describe the muck John Spargo exposed in his book The Bitter Cry of Children? Name and briefly describe the muck Lincoln Steffans exposed in his book magazine article called Tweed Days in St. Louis. Lastly, why is Thomas Nast, the editorial cartoonist best known for his attack on the political machine of William M. ‘Boss’ Tweed, not considered a muckraker? Same question for Ida B. Tarbell and her exposing of the lynching that was taking place in the US.
2. Between 1890 to 1920, some Progressives worked to effect social changes in cities and among immigrant populations. These Progressives often came from the middle and upper classes and included many women. Evidence in support of this claim is a woman by the name of Jane Addams, the co-founder of Chicago’s Hull House, one of America’s most famous settlement houses. Who did Addams and other Progressive hope to bring together in their “settlement houses?” The main objective of the settlement house was to provide “services.” Name one service that settlement houses provided the poor. In what part of the country could most of these settlement houses be found? Why there? If an immigrant ended up living at Hull House, name a country that this immigrant probably came from.
3. Between 1890 to 1920, some Progressives sought federal legislation that they believed would effectively regulate the economy. Evidence in support of this claim is something called the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. The Federal Reserve Act created the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the United States, and it was the bank runs” that took place during the Panic of 1907 that convinced Progressives to call for the passage of the Federal Reserve Act. What’s a bank run?
4. Between 1890 to 1920, some Progressives sought federal legislation that they believed would effectively expand democracy. Evidence in support of this claim can be found in state laws calling for more direct (rather than indirect) democracy by providing for the initiative, referendum and recall. What is an initiative? A referendum? Recall?
5. Between 1890 to 1920 some Progressives sought federal legislation that they believed would generate moral reform. Evidence in support of this claim is something called the 18th amendment. This amendment, in simple terms, established the prohibition of alcohol in the United States. Although the Eighteenth Amendment led to a decline in alcohol consumption in the United States, nationwide enforcement of Prohibition proved difficult, particularly in cities. Name and briefly describe one piece of evidence in support of this claim. Also, explain how/why it can be said that the 19th amendment sought to bring about ‘moral’ reform.
6. Between 1890 to 1920, some Progressives sought amendments to the Constitution that they believed would deal with issues such as women’s suffrage. Evidence in support of this claim is something called the 19th amendment. This amendment prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex. True/false: Prior to 1776, women had the right to vote in several of the colonies in what would become the United States. True/false: By 1807 every state constitution denied women even limited suffrage. True/false: Organizations supporting women’s rights became more active in the mid-nineteenth century. True/false: In 1848, the Seneca Falls convention adopted the Declaration of Sentiments, which called for equality between the sexes and included a resolution urging women to secure the vote. True/false: The women’s rights movement was both emboldened and divided over the 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution. True/false: By the late nineteenth century, new states and territories, particularly in the West, began to grant women the right to vote. True/false: Entry of the United States into World War I helped to shift public perception of women’s suffrage.
7. Between 1890 to 1920 some Progressives supported the establishment of national parks. Evidence in support of this claim is something called the the National Park Service Organic Act. This law established the National Park Service (NPS), an agency of the United States Department of the Interior. The NPS manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. What are the three “crown jewels” of America’s national parks?
8. Between 1890 to 1920, Progressives were divided over many issues. What was an issue related to race that devided some Progressives? What was an issue related to immigration? Related to the overuse of natural resources. Related to government appointments?
9. Briefly describe one historical event, development, or process that occurred before the Progressive Era.
10. Briefly describe one historical event, development, or process that occurred as the Progressive Era was ending.

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Questions relating to Progressive and trust busting to be added shortly.