17.5 Wilson's New Freedom

What did Woodrow Wilson believe?

Attacking large concetrations of power to give power to the average citizens. As president he wanted to enact his program, the '"New Freedom," and planned to attack what he called the triple wall of privilege: the trusts, tariffs, and high finance.

Why did suffragists turn to radical tactics?

Failures led to suffragists using these tactics. Many of their tactics were inspired by the bold tactics used in suffrage in Britain. Alice Paul organized her followers to mount a round-the-clock picket line around the White House. Some of the picketers were arrested, jailed, and even force-fed when they attempted hunger strike.

What was the 19th Amendment?

Gave women the right to vote. Suffragist efforts and women's involvement in WWI made suffrage inevitable. People involved claimed their overdue reward for supporting the war effort.

How did Wilson fail in civil rights?

He disappointed progressives who favored social reform. He appeased conservative Southern Democratic voters and disappointed black supporters. He placed segregationists in charge of federal agencies, expanding racial segregation. In his mind, segregated facilities were just. Once in office, Wilson retreated on civil rights. He promised to treat blacks equally and speak out against lynching during his campaign. However, he opposed federal antilynching legislation, stating they fell under state jurisdiction. Segregation was resumed in the capital after Wilson took office. Wilson responded badly to African Americans who complained. His refusal to extend civil rights to AAs pointed to the limits of progressivism under his administration.

How did Wilson try to lower tariff rates?

He lobbied hard for the Underwood Act, which would substantially reduce tariff rates. He summoned Congress and pleaded his case. Businesses looked to block tariff reductions. When manufacturing lobbyists, people hired by manufacturers to present their case to gov officials, urged senators to vote no, passage seemed unlikely. Wilson denounced the lobbyists and urged voters to monitor their senators' votes. Because Wilson used the bully pulpit, the Senate voted to cut tariff rates deeply.

What was Woodrow Wilson's background?

He spent his youth in the South during the Civil war and Reconstruction. He received a strict upbringing. Before entering politics, he was a lawyer, history professor, and president of a university. He became governor of New Jersey, where he supported progressive legislation programs. As president he wanted to enact his program, the '"New Freedom," and planned to attack what he called the triple wall of privilege: the trusts, tariffs, and high finance. The prejudices of his Southern background prevented him from using federal power to fight off attacks directed at the civil rights of African Americans.

Suffragists saw success come as a result in what three developments?

Increased activism of local groups the use of bold new strategies to build enthusiasm for the movement the rebirth of the national movement under Carrie Chapman Catt.

What was the Clayton Antitrust Act?

It strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act. It prohibited corporations from acquiring the stock of another if doing so would create a monopoly. It prosecuted offenders. It also said that labor unions and farm organizations had a right to exist and would no longer be subject to antitrust laws. Strikes, boycotts, etc. would be legal. Injunctions against strikers were prohibited unless the strikers threatened damage that could not be remedied.

What was the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)?

It was a watchdog agency that was given the power to investigate possible violations of regulatory statues, to require periodic reports from corporations, and put an end to unfair business practices.

What was the end to progressivism?

Progressivism was stalled under Wilson's presidency. When WWI stated, Americans were distracted and reforms were stopped.

Who was Carrie Chapman Catt and what was her five tactics?

She was president of NAWSA. She concentrated on five tactics: Painstaking organization close ties between local, state, and national workers establishing a wide base of support cautious lobbying gracious, ladylike behavior

What was the effect of the two antitrust measures? (Clayton Antitrust Act and FTC)

The Clayton Antitrust Act strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act by prohibiting corporations from acquiring the stock of another and creating a monopoly. Labor unions and farm organization had a right to exist and would not be subject to antitrust laws, making strikes, boycotts, etc. legal. Action cannot be taken on strikers unless they threatened damage that could not be remedied. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was a watchdog agency that was given the power to investigate possible violations of regulatory statues, to require periodic reports from corporations, and put an end to unfair business practices.

How did suffragists fight local battles?

The movement was given strength by college-educated woman. Massachusetts organizations used door-to-door campaigns to reach potential supporters. The Boston group spread the message of suffrage to poor and working-class women. Women would also speak in public in front of crowds. Many wealthy young women who visited Europe as a part of their education became involved in the suffrage movement in Britain. British suffragists used bold tactics to advance their cause. Inspired by their activism, American women used similar approaches in their own campaigns.

How did Wilson create a federal reserve system?

The nation needed a way to strengthen the ways in which banks were run and adjust the money in circulation. Wilson established a decentralized private banking system under federal control. The Federal Reserve Act divided the nation into 12 districts and established a regional central bank in each district. These "banker's banks" served other banks within the district. They could issue new paper currency in emergency situations and member banks could use the new currency to make loans to customers. Federal reserve banks could transfer funds to member banks in trouble, saving banks from closing and protecting customer's savings.

What was an income tax and why was it created?

With lower tariff rates, the gov had to replace the revenue that tariffs had previously supplied. The 16th amendment legalized an income tax, which provided revenue by taxing individual earnings and corporate profits. Under this, larger incomes were taxed at higher rates than lower incomes. The government was receiving more money on the income tax than they had on tariffs.