Wilsonian Progressivism at Home and Abroad Chapter 29
Election of 1912 Taft was elected President in 1908 as Republican with the support of Teddy Roosevelt Roosevelt did not think Taft s presidency was progressive enough, so TR created a new political part Roosevelt attempted to get Republican nomination in 1912, but Taft won convention fight Progressive bull moose convention called Had religious revival spirit Included women in influential roles TR New Nationalism Based on Hebert Croly s The Promise of American Life Consolidation of trusts, unions, government regulation Women s suffrage; social welfare; minimum wage Republicans split their votes between Taft and Roosevelt Democrats nominated Woodrow Wilson Saw split in Republicans as way to return to Presidency Wilson was a progressive reformer from NJ Wilson wins the election only has minority vote Combined Progressives (Taft/TR/Debs) had 2.15 million more votes
Wilson s Idealism Raised in south Used belief in self determination as part of American foreign policy Very religious and well spoken politician Austere, condescending, inflexible, moralistic, had difficult time relating to others. New Freedom banking reform, stronger anti-trust; tariff reductions; favored free market no government regulation; rejected social welfare programs Wilson and Big Business Wilson wanted to break up all big businesses
Wilson Tackles Tariff and Banking Underwood Tariff Bill (1913) Significantly reduced import fees that would facilitate global trade but potentially hurt American manufacturers Wilson appealed to public to force Congress to pass the bill Sixteenth Amendment (1913) Makes income tax legal gives government another form of income instead of just tariffs Established a graduated income tax Created modern banking system Federal Reserve Board (The Fed) Federal Reserve Act (1913) Chairman (Ben Bernake) appointed by President Federal Reserve Banks provide money and loans to member (local) banks Controls the money supply in economy by changing interest rate Could issue paper money (Federal Reserve notes) When Fed lowers interest rate, banks borrow more money Banks then have more money to offer people Creates more spending and inflation Allowed for swift manipulation of money supply in response to economic crises
President Tames the Trusts Federal Trade Commission (1914) Allowed for regulation of companies involved in interstate commerce Attack monopolies and unfair trade practices (false advertising, bribery etc) Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914) Forbid any business from substantially lessening competition Forbid one company buying stock in another Labor Unions and Farm organizations were exempt from law Limit courts ability to end strikes Legalized strikes, boycotts and pickets Wilsonian Progressivism Federal Farm Loan Act (1916) made credit available to farmers with low interest Warehouse Act (1916) allowed loans using crops as collateral LaFollette Seamen s Act (1915) improved working conditions of merchant sailors Workingman s Compensation Act (1916) gives income to federal workers on disability Adamson Act (1916) establish 8 hour day and overtime
New Direction in Foreign Policy TR used Big Stick and aggressive intervention; Taft tried to use economic ties instead of military force to influence Latin America Wilson ended American policy of financial support for Latin America and China Panama Canal Tolls Act (1912) Exempted American ships from paying tolls; Britain protested it as violation of Hay-Pauncefote Treaty which allowed US to build canal as long as no nation was denied access to it Wilson repeals Act in 1914 Jones Act (1916) Grants Philippines territorial status and promises independence US intervention in Caribbean Marines sent to Haiti (1915) Dominican Republic (1916); Virgin Islands purchased in 1917
Moralistic Diplomacy in Mexico Venustiano Carranza Pancho Villa Revolution in Mexico in 1913 led to installation of dictator General Huerta being installed US refused to intervene but sent arms to Pancho Villa and Venustiano Carranza who were revolting against Huerta Wilson orders seizure of Vera Cruz following Mexican arrest of American sailors in Tampico (1914) Both Huerta and Carranza protested the American action ABC Powers (Argentina, Brazil, Chile) intervened and mediated solution. Huerta lost power and Carranza took power US formally supported (but distrusted) Carranza government Pancho Villa tried to provoke war with US in hopes it would ruin Carranza government by killing American citizens in Mexico and invading Columbus, NM in the US US sends General Pershing into Mexico to get Villa US troops went deep into Mexico fighting both Carranza and Villas forces, but Villa was never caught and WWI ends the search
Start of the Great War Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo Lit fuse of powder keg Europe Complex political, economic, imperial and historical circumstances brought Europe into the war Central Powers Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire Allied Powers Britain, France, Russia
American Neutrality August 4,1914 Wilson proclaims US neutrality Allows US to trade with both sides Civil War vets don t want more war America has traditional allegiance to England German and Irish immigrants favor Central Powers British cut cable between US and Germany so US only get propaganda from England Supplying Britain and France pulled America out of recession and helped industry British blockade of Germany made it difficult for American ships to reach German ports February 1915 Germany began submarine (u-boats) warfare against Allies but said it would avoid neutral ships May 7, 1915 Lusitania sank with 128 Americans on board Wilson resisted calls for war with Germany Sussex pledge After Arabic and Sussex were sunk without warning Wilson demanded the practice stop Germany agreed to stop unrestricted submarine warfare against merchant ships
1916 Election TR was nominated by Progressive party, but refused to run for office because he didn t want to split the Republican party again Republicans nominated Supreme Court justice Charles Evan Hughes Wilson campaigned on his success keeping America out of WWI too proud to fight TR was pressuring Republicans to take a more bellicose stance Midwest and west gave election to Wilson in recognition of his progressive reforms