Wilsonian Progressivism At

Home And AbroadChapter 29

The Emergence Of Woodrow Wilson

Democrats were thrilled about Republican split.

Dems nominate Woodrow Wilson, a militant progressive.

President of Princeton, instituted sweeping educational reforms

Governor of New Jersey; ignored party bosses. Progressive. Very Popular

Woodrow Wilson Eloquent and somewhat of a zealot. Strong moral streak; unwilling to

compromise matters of principle. Appealed to the people over the heads of

the bosses and legislature. In 1912 Democrats nominated him on the

46th ballot when Bryan swings his support to Wilson. “New Freedom”.

The Bull Moose Campaign

Roosevelt not ready to give up the fight.

New Progressive Party nominates him as their candidate.

Roosevelt and Taft rhetoric.

The Bull Moose Party

Democrats Win 1912

Woodrow Wilson becomes President

Wilson v. Teddy TR’s New Nationalism Attitude toward

government regulation? Attitude toward trusts? favored women’s suffrage Attitude toward social

welfare programs.

Wilson’s New Freedom. Attitude toward

government regulation? Attitude toward trusts? Attitude toward social

welfare programs

Which parties would they fit in today?

Presidential Election of 1912

Meaning of Wilson’s Win? Wilson wins with 41%. Wilson gets fewer votes than Byran in any of his

three defeats. Taft-TR combined had 1.2 Million more votes Progressives (Wilson and Roosevelt) together

got far more votes than Taft. Thus, Progressivism was the winner.

Wilson wins because Republicans split the vote

Woodrow Wilson: A Minority President

Republicans minority in Congress and out of the White House for only the second time since before the Civil War.

Why TR loses. Socialist Eugene Debs. Taft after the White House.

Wilson: The Idealist In Politics Wilson second democratic president since 1861. First southerner in the White House since Taylor.

Racist; Jeffersonian Son of a Presbyterian Minister; fervent piety and a stark

view of good and bad that makes it hard for him to compromise. He is rigid.

Moving orator, but cold personally. Student of government; professor of political science.

Believed in strong president. Idealist Intellectual

Wilson’s Defects Cold and austere Lacked the common touch;

not good with humans individually.

Intellectually arrogant. Morally righteous. Rigid

and uncompromising Stubborn Racist

Wilson Tackles The Tariff Triple wall of privilege Called a special session of congress. Personal

State of the Union address. The house passed the Underwood Tariff Bill.

goal. Senate attempts to gut it. What does Wilson do? What happens to it?

Graduated income tax under the authority of the 16th Amendment

Clayton Antitrust:

Federal Trade Commission (F.T.C.)

New Tax System lowers tariff

Federal Income Tax 16th Amendment

Federal Reserve System

Wilson Wins Financial Reforms

Wilson’s background

Two Key Antitrust Measures

Wilson Battles The Bankers

US financial system is antiquated. Most serious problem is the inelasticity

of the currency money reserves heavily concentrated in NY

and a few other large cities could not be mobilized easily to places under

financial stress The republicans favored a Third Bank of

the United States with 15 branches. Wilson opted for a decentralized bank in

federal hands. Why?

Federal Reserve Act Federal Reserve Act: most

important piece of economic legislation between the Civil War and the New Deal.

Federal Reserve Board How organized, managed and

owned Empowered to issue federal

reserve notes backed by commercial paper Purpose?

The President Tames The Trusts

Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 Clayton Anti-Trust Act of 1914

Strengthened Sherman Anti-Trust Act by lengthening the list of unfair trade practices.

labor and agriculture. Provisions on strikes and picketing

Wilson At High Tide Federal Farm Loan Act of 1916 Warehouse Act of 1916 Highway Construction Ag extension work in state colleges La Follette Seamen’s Act Workingmen’s Compensation Act of 1916 Restriction on child labor on products in

interstate commerce Adamson Act of 1916

Wilson’s Blind Spot Wilson’s one failure in

broadening the rights of the downtrodden was Blacks.

He increased segregation in the Civil Service and generally had a very blind eye—even a hostile eye—toward concerns of blacks regarding civil rights.

Proclaimed Birth of a Nation an important insight into history.

New Directions In Foreign Policy

Wilson’s had a much different view of foreign policy than either Roosevelt or Taft.

Attitude toward TR’s big-stickism and American imperialism.

Attitude toward dollar diplomacy. Wilson looked at foreign policy issues through

the lens of moralism. What was the thesis of Wilsonian foreign policy. Ironically, he intervened in foreign countries MORE

than had Roosevelt of Taft.

Wilson Foreign Policy Jones Act of 1916: What did it do for the

Philippines? Wilson continued republican policy of

intervening in Caribbean affairs. Sent the Marines into Haiti in 1915 Same year sent marines into the Dominican Republic

to quell riots. Why was Caribbean increasingly important to

US? Purchases the Virgin Islands in the West Indies

from Denmark in 1917

Caribbean Intervention

Moralistic Diplomacy In Mexico Huerta becomes president. Wilson

refuses to recognize him. Why? Carranza and Pancho Villa. Tampico dispute US seizure of Vera Cruz. Germans Carranza v. Villa Columbus, NM raid

US Invasion of Mexico Wilson and America are outraged. He sends General Pershing across

the border to capture Villa. Pershing chases Villa across

northern Mexico but can’t find him.

Mexicans love seeing the inept Americans floundering around in the desert.

Wilson withdraws in 1917 as war for America looms in Europe

Road to WWI Serb patriot killed Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand, the heir

to the throne of the Austria-Hungary “empire” in Serajevo in 1914.

Austrians blame Serbia. Backed by Germany, send stern ultimatum to Serbia

Serbia backed by Russia, mobilizes, menacing Germany on the east.

France mobilizes on Germany’s other side. Germans strike at France through Belgium. England enters the war against Germans. Japan eventually comes in against Germany, as well. Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey

and Bulgaria Allies: France, Russia, Britain, Japan.

A Precarious Neutrality

Americans had no desire to get involved. Wilson neutrality proclamation Trade with belligerents allowed? Impact on US economy?

A Precarious Neutrality US population overwhelmingly

in support of allies and staying out of the war.

Reasons citizens favored allies?

Wilson saw himself as the neutral arbitrator above the fray and hoped to be called upon to negotiate a peace.

He calls for “peace without victory”.

America Earns Blood Money Orders from European nations quickly

snap us out of recession and starts a business boom. US banks provide a great deal of financing to

the allies. International law on trade with combatants Shipping causes strain with combatants. US trade is a much greater benefit to

Allies than Axis. Why? British Blockade

U-Boats Feb. 1915 German U-Boat

war around the British Isles. Sank merchant ships headed

to England without warning. German actions violate

international law. How? Why does Germany do it? What did Germans pledge?

In the early months of 1915 German U-boats sink about 90 ships.

Lusitania May 1915 Germans sink the British passenger liner the

Lusitania. 1198 killed including 128 Americans. It was secretly carrying munitions in cargo compartment US public outraged.

Sussex Pledge

Americans on the east coast started drumming for war. But Midwest is very isolationist.

Wilson does not want war. Why?

TR tried to push Wilson into the war.

Wilson’s warning to Germany.

German Sussex Pledge US nevertheless at the brink

of war. Why?

Wilson Wins Reelection In 1916 Wilson faced a tough battle in 1916. Progressive renominate TR, but he refuses to

run. Republicans nominate Charles Evans Hughes. Hughes is a poor candidate who tailors his

rhetoric concerning the war depending on his audience.

Impact of TR rhetoric Wilson runs on the slogan, “He kept us out of

war.” Wilson wins narrowly

Election of 1916