Wilsonian Progressivism

• Wilson accomplished many Progressive reforms, but these were cut short due to the ensuing World War → ultimately inspired a new era of progressivism

  • belief in Jeffersonian democracy, where the informed masses make important decisions

  • somewhat admired Confederates for attempt at independence → inspired Wilson to upload the ideal of self-determination in other counties

  • wanted to attack “triple wall of privilege”: high tariffs, banks, and trusts

• Tariff: Underwood Tariff(1913): Biggest tariff reduction in 50 years; Farmers and lower classes are happy with the lowered import fees and the graduation income tax

• Banks: Federal Reserve Act (1913): Wilson wanted a decentralized bank that was controlled by the government (not a private one) — regulates banking, increases cir tion of money; later, helps with financial crises during WW1.

• Trusts

  • Fed. Trade Commission (1914): in charge of crushing monopolies, especially in interstate commerce industries. Did this by eliminating false advertising, mislabeling, bribery, and other unfair trading practices.

  • Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914): labor unions no longer controlled by anti-monopoly restraints (as they were through the Sherman Anti-Trust Act) and increased the number of things deemed questionable business practices (like interlocking directorates) → however, labor will continue to face difficulties.

  • Workingmen's Compensation Act (1916): helped federal employees during periods of disability, setting a precedent for worker's compensation during the New Deal.

  • Adamson Act (1916): est. a max 8-hour day for workers on trains in interstate commerce, with more pay for overtime work.

Foreign Policy

• Wilson's Foreign Policy: He disliked imperialism, big stick diplomacy, and dollar diplomacy; seen with Jones Act (1916): granted Philippines territorial status and promised eventual independence once stable govt was est. freedom in 1946).

  • However, Wilson will be imperialist when it's necessary to protect American interests abroad (as seen with response Haitian Revolution and the purchase of the Virgin Islands in Denmark)

• Mexican Revolution in 1913 led many to migrate to America and domestic calls to intervene in Mexico to

  protect American lives and property.

  • Wilson’s aggressive ambassador imposed an arms embargo and funded the rev. govt’s opposition

• Tampico Incident (1914): Mexicans accidentally arrested: American sailors and apologized, but Wilson orders the navy to seize the Mexican port of Veracruz — war was avoided through mediation with South American power: — new govt came to power in Mexico, US fought them for some time, but soon withdrew once World War 1 loomed closer.

Introduction to World War 1

• Heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary is murdered by a Serbian patriot — causes a chain reaction of conflict within Europe

  • Central Powers: Austria-Hungary and Germany (later, Bulgaria and Turkey)

  • Allies: France, Britain, Russia, Japan, Italy

• Wilson issues neutrality proclamation, but the close economic and cultural ties between the US and Britain lead to domestic sympathy for the Allied cause.

• Anti-German sentiment increased when leaked documents showed plans for industrial sabotage, but most Americans still wanted to stay out of it.

• Britain harassed American shipping to prevent them from helping the German, but pledged to avoid ‘neutral’ shipping

• U-boats: German submarine warfare that sank 90 ships in the war zone — (unintentionally) gets the US involved with the sinking of the passenger ship Lusitania (1915): over a 1000 lives lost, 128 of which were American.

• Wilson, being pacifist and somewhat isolationist, pursued diplomatic means with temporary success — Germany issued Sussex Pledge: said they would give warning before sinking passenger/merchant ships — eventually broken

• Wilson elected in 1916

• Zimmerman Note (1917): intercepted from German foreign secretary George Zimmerman, it proposed a German-Mexican alliance with promises of Mexico getting back Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona — direct threat to US gets them into the war

During World War 1

• Wilson will try to garner support for the war by making it about spreading democracy to the world — idea of not fighting for territorial gains, but rather, the

  noble goal of democracy.

• Fourteen Points (1918): proposed by Wilson to ensure Peace following World War 1 — no secret treaties, free seas, less economic barriers between nations, adjustment of colonial claims to appease anti-imperialists and encourage eventual self-determination

• Committee on Public Information: created by journalist named George Creel, it created pro-war propaganda based largely on anti-German sentiment

  • people expect a lot out of the war, but feel disillusioned afterward

• Espionage Act (1917): banned interference with the draft and other acts of ‘disloyalty’ to the nation, including penalties for criticizing the govt in writing — shows how civil liberties are reduced in war time

• Schenck v. United States (1919): man was arrested for handing out leaflets urging people to resist the draft, claiming freedom of speech — Supreme Court ruled that freedom of speech can be limited if the speech creates a "clear and present danger" to others.

• War Industries Board: coordinated industrial production during the war by creating production quotas and collecting raw materials to increase efficiency — massive increase in industrial production domestically.

  • anti-German sentiment and rationing behavior led to greater anti-alcohol beliefs → 18th amendment.

Domestic Concerns

• Unemployed men would be eligible for the draft - not the time for labor to demand reforms

• Industrial Workers of the World (IWW): radical anti-war labor union that organized thousands of labor protests during the war that greatly affected industrial production to bring attention to poor working conditions — labor unrest continued throughout the war.

• Great Migration: African American workers went to the North to escape the lingering racial tensions in

  the South and find better industrial opportunities (which were plentiful due to the war)

• 19th Amendment (1920): gave women the right to vote after govt saw how women worked in factories during the war — some women were anti-war, but most suffragists arqued that helping during the war effort would allow women to shape the peace post-war.

• Sheppard Towner Maternity Act (1921): provided for federally financed maternal and infant care instructions shows that despite the recent major accomplishment for feminist movement, traditional norms for women were still ingrained in society. (However, many women did actually leave their factory jobs after the war).

• American Expeditionary Forces (AEF): US Army force deployed to Europe consisting mostly of drafted soldiers by the time the army was sufficiently prepared, the war was mostly over.

End of World War 1

• Battle of Chateau-Thierry (1918): first significant use of the American army during the war French were thankful for the extra support the troops provided

• Second Battle of Marne: halted German expansion with a successful counteroffensive marked the beginning of the end for the Germans

• Meuse-Argonne offensive: after the US demanded to do more besides just aiding the French and British armies, they were put in charge of this offensive to cut German railroad linesdespite some fatalities, it was somewhat successful and the Germans were defeated (note: not by military strategy of Americans, just the sheer amount of them)

• League of Nations: Wilson's idea to create a international council where world powers could consult on various issues to ensure world peace and prevent another war — others agree, but many Americans didn’t want to get involved in foreign affairs again.

• When Wilson runs for re-election in 1920, people vote for Warren Harding instead because they know he will dismantle the League — the arrangement fails and Ameica becomes isolationist post WW1

• Treaty of Versailles (1919): signed in France, it est. terms of settlement between Germany and the Allied Powers — blamed the war on Germany to justify German disarmament and exacting heavy reparation tolls → France thought it wasn’t enough to prevent future aggression, Germany thought it was harsh, and the US didn’t want to be involved.