The Progressive Era Supreme Court: Economic Jurisprudence
On the heels of the Civil War and after the dawn of the Industrial Revolution perhaps the most integral moments in the history of the United States took place. The “Gilded Age” or Progressive Era, as it is commonly referred to, cannot be defined as a few small, individual movements but rather a complete renaissance of industrial technologies, individual liberties, social identities, immigration reform, sweeping cultural changes, and economic shifts that would come to define America as a nation. While commonly overshadowed by the massive social movements of the time, perhaps the most important of the revolutionary changes that were taking place during the Progressive Era can be found in Supreme Court jurisprudence regarding the economic relationship between the federal government, state governments, business (both big and small), and the individual. In an era defined by big business usurping small ventures in attempts to eliminate competition and establish monopolies as well as businesses exposing workers to dangerous practices, the Supreme Court was consistently faced with fundamental questions concerning federal government interference in what has been a largely unregulated Laissez-Faire style capitalistic economy and struggles to find exactly what role it should play.
This exhibit will observe some of the most famous and impactful Supreme Court cases of the Progressive Era and describe the impacts that they had.