HIS-144 Week 6 Powerpoint Presentation
Slide 1: Title Slide
Title: The Legacy of the Progressive Era (1890–1920s)
Subtitle: HIS-144: U.S. History Themes
Presented by: [Your Name]
Institution: Grand Canyon University
Date: August 4, 2025
Speaker Notes (100 words):
Welcome to this presentation on the Legacy of the Progressive Era, a transformative period in
U.S. history from the 1890s to the 1920s. This era addressed social, economic, and political
challenges caused by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and immigration. Reformers sought to
improve society through government intervention and civic engagement. This PowerPoint
explores five key areas: Regulation of Business, Greater Democracy, Conservationism, the Rise
of Professionalism, and Prohibition. Each slide provides insights into how these reforms shaped
modern America, supported by historical evidence and proper citations. Let’s dive into the
Progressive Era’s enduring impact.
Slide 2: Introduction
Title: Introduction to the Progressive Era
Content:
• Timeframe: 1890s–1920s
• Context: Rapid industrialization, urbanization, immigration
• Goals: Address monopolies, inequality, corruption, and environmental issues
• Key Reforms: Business regulation, democratic expansion, conservation, professionalism,
prohibition
Speaker Notes (150 words):
The Progressive Era, spanning the 1890s to the 1920s, was a response to the challenges of
industrialization, urban overcrowding, and immigration. Cities grew rapidly, but poverty, unsafe
working conditions, and corporate monopolies dominated. Progressives, including reformers,
journalists, and politicians, aimed to address these issues through government action and social
reform. They fought for fair business practices, expanded democratic participation,
environmental protection, professional standards, and moral reforms like Prohibition. This
presentation examines these five areas, highlighting their impact on American society. By
regulating businesses, enhancing democracy, conserving natural resources, professionalizing
, industries, and enacting Prohibition, Progressives laid the foundation for modern governance and
social policies. Their legacy continues to influence labor laws, environmental policies, and
democratic institutions today. Sources include the GCU Library Guide for HIS-144 and standard
historical texts.
Slide 3: Regulation of Business
Title: Regulation of Business
Content:
• Problem: Monopolies and trusts controlled industries (e.g., Standard Oil)
• Reforms:
o Sherman Antitrust Act (1890)
o Clayton Antitrust Act (1914)
o Federal Trade Commission (1914)
• Impact: Promoted fair competition, protected consumers
Speaker Notes (120 words):
During the Progressive Era, monopolies like Standard Oil dominated industries, stifling
competition and exploiting consumers. Progressives pushed for government regulation to curb
corporate power. The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 aimed to break up monopolies, though
enforcement was initially weak. The Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 strengthened these efforts by
prohibiting anti-competitive practices. The Federal Trade Commission, established in 1914,
monitored unfair business practices. These reforms promoted fair competition, protected
consumers, and set precedents for modern antitrust laws. By challenging corporate greed,
Progressives ensured a more equitable economy, influencing today’s regulatory frameworks.
Sources: GCU Library Guide for HIS-144, U.S. History textbooks.
Slide 4: Greater Democracy
Title: Greater Democracy
Content:
• Problem: Political corruption, limited voter access
• Reforms:
o Direct election of senators (17th Amendment, 1913)
o Women’s suffrage (19th Amendment, 1920)
o Initiative, referendum, recall
• Impact: Expanded voter participation, reduced corruption
Slide 1: Title Slide
Title: The Legacy of the Progressive Era (1890–1920s)
Subtitle: HIS-144: U.S. History Themes
Presented by: [Your Name]
Institution: Grand Canyon University
Date: August 4, 2025
Speaker Notes (100 words):
Welcome to this presentation on the Legacy of the Progressive Era, a transformative period in
U.S. history from the 1890s to the 1920s. This era addressed social, economic, and political
challenges caused by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and immigration. Reformers sought to
improve society through government intervention and civic engagement. This PowerPoint
explores five key areas: Regulation of Business, Greater Democracy, Conservationism, the Rise
of Professionalism, and Prohibition. Each slide provides insights into how these reforms shaped
modern America, supported by historical evidence and proper citations. Let’s dive into the
Progressive Era’s enduring impact.
Slide 2: Introduction
Title: Introduction to the Progressive Era
Content:
• Timeframe: 1890s–1920s
• Context: Rapid industrialization, urbanization, immigration
• Goals: Address monopolies, inequality, corruption, and environmental issues
• Key Reforms: Business regulation, democratic expansion, conservation, professionalism,
prohibition
Speaker Notes (150 words):
The Progressive Era, spanning the 1890s to the 1920s, was a response to the challenges of
industrialization, urban overcrowding, and immigration. Cities grew rapidly, but poverty, unsafe
working conditions, and corporate monopolies dominated. Progressives, including reformers,
journalists, and politicians, aimed to address these issues through government action and social
reform. They fought for fair business practices, expanded democratic participation,
environmental protection, professional standards, and moral reforms like Prohibition. This
presentation examines these five areas, highlighting their impact on American society. By
regulating businesses, enhancing democracy, conserving natural resources, professionalizing
, industries, and enacting Prohibition, Progressives laid the foundation for modern governance and
social policies. Their legacy continues to influence labor laws, environmental policies, and
democratic institutions today. Sources include the GCU Library Guide for HIS-144 and standard
historical texts.
Slide 3: Regulation of Business
Title: Regulation of Business
Content:
• Problem: Monopolies and trusts controlled industries (e.g., Standard Oil)
• Reforms:
o Sherman Antitrust Act (1890)
o Clayton Antitrust Act (1914)
o Federal Trade Commission (1914)
• Impact: Promoted fair competition, protected consumers
Speaker Notes (120 words):
During the Progressive Era, monopolies like Standard Oil dominated industries, stifling
competition and exploiting consumers. Progressives pushed for government regulation to curb
corporate power. The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 aimed to break up monopolies, though
enforcement was initially weak. The Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 strengthened these efforts by
prohibiting anti-competitive practices. The Federal Trade Commission, established in 1914,
monitored unfair business practices. These reforms promoted fair competition, protected
consumers, and set precedents for modern antitrust laws. By challenging corporate greed,
Progressives ensured a more equitable economy, influencing today’s regulatory frameworks.
Sources: GCU Library Guide for HIS-144, U.S. History textbooks.
Slide 4: Greater Democracy
Title: Greater Democracy
Content:
• Problem: Political corruption, limited voter access
• Reforms:
o Direct election of senators (17th Amendment, 1913)
o Women’s suffrage (19th Amendment, 1920)
o Initiative, referendum, recall
• Impact: Expanded voter participation, reduced corruption
