2.Woodrow Wilson

[[Personality[[

  • Strong sense of morality- reflected on his wanting to remain neutral throughout the war. Also led to his introduction of the 14 points after the war.
  • Believed in fairness- led to his attempt to remove child labour, establish 8 hour working day, etc
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[[Domestic[[

{{The New Freedom{{

  • Federal Reserve Act - first central banking system in USA. Established 12 regional reserve banks. A significant expansion of the role of the Federal Government in the Economy. Significant as it established economic stability and became one of the most influential laws that shaped US financial system which is still in use today.
  • Adamson Act- Secured an 8 hour working day for all railroad employees. This paved the way to shortened work days for all industrial workers
  • Antitrust measures (Clayton Antitrust Act and Federal Trade Commission Law)- Continued from TR, both acts prohibited anti-competitive business practices
  • Underwood act- re established a federal income tax,= and significantly lowered tariff rates. It was the most significant tariff reduction since the civil war.
  • Espionage and Sedition Acts- Prohibited interference within the draft and outlaw criticism of the government, armed forces and war effort- seen as a significant overstretch of federal power

[[Foreign Policy[[

  • Took full control of foreign policy issues within the limits of the constitution. This expanded the role of the president significantly
  • War Industries Board- coordinated industrial production, set up to establush federal wartime authority
  • War Department- successfully expanded the armed forces- army went from 140,000 men in April 1917 to 500,000 men in Summer 1918.
  • Overman Act- gave Wilson unprecedented control over the war effort and made him a chief in all aspects of war. this was further built upon by FDR during WWII.
  • War Revenue Act- established highest taxes the country had ever seen- endured taxes hit wealthiest, $10.5 billion collected
  • Contribution to WWI- Led negotiations for the peace settlement based on his 14 point principle. This earned him the second presidential nobel peace prize after TR.
  • However the rejection of the League of Nations resulted in reverting back to isolationism under the passives, therefore can ultimately be seen as a not so significant turning point