Study Notes on Wilson Administration

Wilson Administration Overview

Introduction

  • Discussion on the Wilson administration as part of the lecture series.
  • Reference to needing notes and a graphic organizer about Progressive Era presidents.

Presidential Election of 1912

  • Four candidates running for presidency:
    • Socialist Party: Eugene V. Debs (received very few votes).
    • Republican Party: Split between:
    • Progressive Roosevelt with the Bull Moose Party.
    • Conservative Taft, nominated by the traditional Republican Party.
    • Democrat Party: Woodrow Wilson nominated and ultimately won due to the Republican split.

Woodrow Wilson's Background

  • Background and Formation:
    • Grew up in the South during the Civil War and Reconstruction, influencing his views on civil rights.
    • Career:
    • Lawyer.
    • History teacher.
    • President of Princeton University.
    • Governor of New Jersey.
    • Reformer and Progressive:
    • Advocated for societal improvements and betterment of life for average citizens.

New Freedom Program

  • Wilson’s program similar to Roosevelt’s Square Deal.
  • Focus on attacking the "triple wall of privilege":
    • Trusts (Monopolies):
    • Viewed as evil for disrupting market competition and harming small business owners.
    • Believed they raised prices and were harmful to consumers.

Antitrust Reforms

  • Clayton Antitrust Act (1914):
    • Strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890.
    • Prohibited corporations from buying stock of other companies to form monopolies.
    • Aimed to protect workers' rights and empower labor unions through legal avenues:
    • Permitted actions like boycotting and striking.
    • Injunctions forced back to work only if strikes threatened national welfare.
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC):
    • Established as a regulatory agency to oversee corporations and eliminate unfair business practices.

Tax System Overhaul

  • Aimed to reduce privileges of big businesses by reforming the tax structure:
    • Lowering Tariffs:
    • Defined as taxes on foreign goods.
    • Beneficial for consumers by decreasing prices and increasing competition.
    • The Underwood Act (1913): Reduced tariffs drastically for the first time since the Civil War.
      • Example of coffee cups imported from France illustrates tariff impact on consumer prices.
    • Raising Taxes:
    • Implemented the federal income tax through the Sixteenth Amendment (1913):
      • Tax rate was between 1% to 6% for individuals and corporations—significantly low compared to current rates.
      • Noted comparison to modern tax brackets, with higher tiers indicating a significant evolution in tax policy.

Banking Reform

  • Increased focus on strengthening the banking system:
    • Federal Reserve Act:
    • Established the Federal Reserve System, dividing the nation into 12 banking districts.
    • Federal Reserve Banks serve as regional banks to ensure stability and protect consumers' funds.
    • Notable achievement, still in existence today.

Women's Suffrage Movement

  • Women continued to push for voting rights under Wilson's presidency (1912).
  • Initially saw minimal success
    • States like Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, and Washington allowed female voting.
  • Increased activism was fueled by educated, middle-class women and inspired by more militant British suffrage movements.
    • New leadership emerged, with Carrie Chapman Catt taking charge of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA).
  • Strategies of the suffrage movement by Catt included:
    1. Organization: Highly structured campaigns.
    2. Ties among local, state, and national levels.
    3. Diverse support base across social classes.
    4. Lobbying Congress for constitutional amendments.
    5. Maintaining ladylike behavior to promote their cause.
  • End goal achieved with the Nineteenth Amendment (1920) granting women the right to vote.

Racial Issues and Social Reform

  • Critique of Wilson's administration on social reforms concerning racial matters:
    • After securing the presidency, Wilson did not fulfill promises to support African American rights and social justice.
    • Pledged to support anti-lynching laws during his campaign but opposed them once in office, citing state's rights.
    • Segregation practices were resumed in federal offices and within the Capitol building, reversing progress made prior to his term.
    • Appointed Southern Democrats to his cabinet who supported segregationist policies.
    • Effectively alienated the African American community, showcasing a disconnect between campaign promises and actual policies.

Conclusion

  • Wilson epitomizes the last of the Progressive Era presidents before the onset of World War I.
  • The outbreak of the war diverted national focus and resources from progressive reforms, leading to their stagnation.
  • Lecture concluded with a reminder for students to complete their graphic organizers regarding President Wilson's impact during the Progressive Era.