8.4 Woodrow Wilson and the Progressive Era

Woodrow Wilson & Progressivism

Thomas Woodrow Wilson was born in Staunton, VA, on Dec. 28, 1856, and died Feb. 3, 1924. He served as President from 1913-1921.

Election of 1912

Wilson won the election with only 42% of the popular vote, which translated to 82% of the electoral vote. Roosevelt & Taft collectively won 51% of the popular vote. The GOP had occupied the White House for 44 of the 52 years following Lincoln’s first presidential victory in 1860, but that streak ended in 1912.

Wilson's New Freedom

  • Tariff Reform: Lower Tariff, Income Tax

  • Banking Reform: Federal Reserve System

  • Business Reform: Federal Trade Commission

  • Labor Reform: Eight Hour Laws

  • Agricultural Reform

Economic Policy

  • Federal Reserve System 1913

  • Introduction of a Permanent Federal Income Tax

Progressive Record

  • Revenue Act of 1913

  • Federal Reserve Act of 1913

  • Federal Trade Commission 1914

  • Clayton Antitrust Act 1914

  • National Park Service 1916

  • Adamson 8-Hour Act 1916

US Enters the War, 1917

  • Income Tax in Place.

  • Federal Reserve System.

U.S. Trade

US food & steel, in particular, contributed to keeping the Allies supplied. U.S. Trade Surged During the War.

Wilson's (Economic) Progressive Agenda

Appoints Louis Brandeis to the Supreme Court.

Prohibition

The March of Prohibition in January 1904 and January 1915.

Women's Suffrage

Wilson had given rhetorical support to woman suffrage in 1916. A year later protestors outside the White House were jailed when they criticized the president for being slow on the issue.

Wilson years Legislative Achievements

  • Revenue Act of 1913

  • Federal Reserve Act, 1913

  • Smith-Lever Act 1914

  • Federal Trade Com. 1914

  • Clayton Antitrust Act 1914

  • National Defense Act 1916

  • Farm Labor Act 1916

  • Danish West Indies 1916

  • National Park Service, 1916

  • Adamson 8-Hour Act, 1916

  • Selective Service, May 1917

  • Espionage Act, June 1917

  • Sedition Act, May 1918

  • War Industries Board, 1918

  • Prohibition Act, Oct. 1918

  • (Nobel Peace Prize, 1919)

The Wilson years more than doubled the number of National Parks: 9 New National Parks Created (only 8 total previously) & Created National Park Service.

Assessment

Scholars credit him for: Intelligence, Imagination, Vision/Agenda Setting. Scholars criticize him for: Ability to Compromise, Pursuit of Justice, Avoidance of Mistakes.

The Great Migration

During World War I there was a great migration north by southern African Americans.

Woodrow Wilson, president from 1913-1921, won the 1912 election with only 42% of the popular vote. His "New Freedom" agenda included tariff, banking, business, labor, and agricultural reforms. The Federal Reserve System was established in 1913, along with the introduction of a permanent federal income tax. Legislative achievements of Wilson include the Revenue Act of 1913, the Federal Trade Commission in 1914, and the Adamson 8-Hour Act in 1916. Wilson "had given rhetorical support to woman suffrage in 1916." The Wilson years also "more than doubled the number of National Parks" and addressed the Great Migration during World War I.

  • Intelligence (#4, A) ​

  • Imagination (#5, A) ​

  • Vision/Agenda Setting (#7, A)​

Scholars criticize him for: ​

  • Ability to Compromise (#37, F)​

  • Pursuit of Justice (#35, F) ​

  • Avoidance of Mistakes (#29, D)