Wilson
Woodrow Wilson (D) – 1913-21
Wilsons New Freedom
He campaigned to restore opportunity for individual action and to employ the power of
the government on behalf of social justice for all.
Business Legislation
Federal Reserve Act (1913) – Set up regional federal banks which banks would pay
into allowing the government to control interest rates and therefore inflation
Clayton Act (1914) – Addition to the Sherman Act that outlawed unethical business
practices and prevented its use on unions
Federal Trading Commission Act (1914) – Established the FTC which regulates
business and their practices towards consumers to prevent monopolies
Revenue Act (1916) – Introduced to replace the lost revenue of tariffs, a progressive
tax that had the wealthiest pay the most
Economic Legislation
Underwood Tariffs (1913) – Lowered the cost of common goods such as iron ore,
coal, cotton, and shoes as the US was the largest producer and therefore did not
need tariff protection
War Revenue Act (1917) – Raised the tax on the wealthiest from 13% to 53% to fund
the war effort
Social Legislation
Federal Farm Loan Act (1916) – provided low-cost loans to farmers
Workers’ compensation Act – ensured federal employees who were sick or injured
received financial assistance
Adamson Act – set the eight hour a day workday for railroad workers
Opposed anti lynching legislation after campaigning on it
Political Legislation
17th Amendment – provided for the direct election of senators
19th Amendment – Gave women the right to vote
White dominance – Appointed well known segregationists in high office allowing for
racial segregation in federal government and departments
US Neutrality
, Moral Diplomacy
Wilson and SoS Bryan believed the US had the responsibility to improve the lives of foreign
people through US example and that the desire to do good would determine foreign policy
US gave Colombia $20m in reparations for their role in encouraging the Panamanians
to rebel against Columbia, however he intervened in Latin America and extended the
foreign policy of Roosevelt and Taft after campaigning not to
Idealism
Wilson believed that co-operation with Latin America would be ‘just’ government and
opposed military or revolutionary governments hoping he could teach the Latin Americans
to ‘elect good men’ ultimately extending the Roosevelt Corollary.
Fought against special concessions that exempted US coastal shipping for paying
concessions when using the Panama Canal
Built hospitals, schools, hospitals, and airports in Latin America
Reasons for Neutrality (WW1)
Public Opinion – Opinion of the Americans was that the war in Europe had nothing to do
with them, women, and Wilson’s own SoS campaigned for neutrality
Unification – America was made of all people, going to war would alienate Germans in
America and create divide
Wilsonianism – He regarded himself and the US as peace brokers and offered to mediate
peace settlements for Europe which was influence by his Christian beliefs. He urged the
American people not to pick sides in the conflict as the US was home to everyone and to
pick sides was to cause division.
However, he had intervened multiple times in Mexico, such as chasing after Pancho
Villa
Woodrow Wilson (D) – 1913-21
Wilsons New Freedom
He campaigned to restore opportunity for individual action and to employ the power of
the government on behalf of social justice for all.
Business Legislation
Federal Reserve Act (1913) – Set up regional federal banks which banks would pay
into allowing the government to control interest rates and therefore inflation
Clayton Act (1914) – Addition to the Sherman Act that outlawed unethical business
practices and prevented its use on unions
Federal Trading Commission Act (1914) – Established the FTC which regulates
business and their practices towards consumers to prevent monopolies
Revenue Act (1916) – Introduced to replace the lost revenue of tariffs, a progressive
tax that had the wealthiest pay the most
Economic Legislation
Underwood Tariffs (1913) – Lowered the cost of common goods such as iron ore,
coal, cotton, and shoes as the US was the largest producer and therefore did not
need tariff protection
War Revenue Act (1917) – Raised the tax on the wealthiest from 13% to 53% to fund
the war effort
Social Legislation
Federal Farm Loan Act (1916) – provided low-cost loans to farmers
Workers’ compensation Act – ensured federal employees who were sick or injured
received financial assistance
Adamson Act – set the eight hour a day workday for railroad workers
Opposed anti lynching legislation after campaigning on it
Political Legislation
17th Amendment – provided for the direct election of senators
19th Amendment – Gave women the right to vote
White dominance – Appointed well known segregationists in high office allowing for
racial segregation in federal government and departments
US Neutrality
, Moral Diplomacy
Wilson and SoS Bryan believed the US had the responsibility to improve the lives of foreign
people through US example and that the desire to do good would determine foreign policy
US gave Colombia $20m in reparations for their role in encouraging the Panamanians
to rebel against Columbia, however he intervened in Latin America and extended the
foreign policy of Roosevelt and Taft after campaigning not to
Idealism
Wilson believed that co-operation with Latin America would be ‘just’ government and
opposed military or revolutionary governments hoping he could teach the Latin Americans
to ‘elect good men’ ultimately extending the Roosevelt Corollary.
Fought against special concessions that exempted US coastal shipping for paying
concessions when using the Panama Canal
Built hospitals, schools, hospitals, and airports in Latin America
Reasons for Neutrality (WW1)
Public Opinion – Opinion of the Americans was that the war in Europe had nothing to do
with them, women, and Wilson’s own SoS campaigned for neutrality
Unification – America was made of all people, going to war would alienate Germans in
America and create divide
Wilsonianism – He regarded himself and the US as peace brokers and offered to mediate
peace settlements for Europe which was influence by his Christian beliefs. He urged the
American people not to pick sides in the conflict as the US was home to everyone and to
pick sides was to cause division.
However, he had intervened multiple times in Mexico, such as chasing after Pancho
Villa
