Transcript Chapter 30
Chapter 29 Wilsonian Progressivism at Home and Abroad 1912-1916 1912 Election • Democrats nominated Woodrow Wilson – Platform= New Freedom • 3rd party formed- The Progressive Party (Bull Moose Party) – TR nominated at Chicago convention – Platform= New Nationalism – Based on Herbert Croly: The Promise of American Life • Wilson won with 435 EV (41% of popular vote) to TR’s 88 EV and Taft’s 8 • Taft+TR=1.25 million more votes than Wilson • Real winner= progressivism • 1912 election= death to Bull Moose party GOP Divided by Bull Moose Equals Democratic Victory, 1912 President Wilson • Wilson= intellectual and standoffish • Idealistic about humanity, stubborn in own convictions= no compromise • Born in pre-Civil War Virginia= somewhat sympathetic to Southern cause self determination • Jeffersonian, loved words and gave powerful speeches • Role of president= leader of Congress and the people Tariff Reform • “Triple Wall of Privilege”= tariff, banks and trusts • Wanted a lower tariff Underwood Tariff Bill – Reduce tariff rate and establish a graduated income tax (after 16th amendment) – Used public opinion to push through – By 1917: more revenue from income tax than the tariff Bank Reform • Needed a national banking system (problems with elasticity from 1907 Panic) • 1908 commission headed by Senator Nelson Aldrich Aldrich Plan – People feared the Money Trusts! – Congressional hearings on power of the Money Trusts by Congressman Arsene Pujo – Modifications to Aldrich Plan needed • Federal Reserve Act of 1913 – 12 regional reserve districts, board appointed by President, acted independent afterward – Issue Federal Reserve Notes – Expand and contract economy as necessary Trust Busting- Wilson Style! • Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 – Monopolies using unfair trade practices – Consumer protection • The Clayton Anti Trust Act of 1914 – Expand on Sherman Anti Trust Act – Exempted labor unions and agricultural organizations (close loophole) – Didn’t necessarily stop the courts from attacking unions in coming years Wilson’s Foreign Policy • • • • Wilson=anti imperialist Repeal of Panama Canal Tolls Act Passed Jones Act of 1916 Changed policies with execution of Hatian president • Marines occupied until 1934 • 1915 Dominican Republic The United States in the Caribbean, 1898–1941 “Pancho” Villa with His Ragtag Army in Mexico, ca. 1916 His daring, impetuosity, and horsemanship made Villa a hero to the masses of northern Mexico. Yet he proved to be a violent and ineffective crusader against social abuses, and he was assassinated in 1923. WWI in Europe • • • • • • • • • System of alliances in Europe Franz Ferdinand assassinated 1914 Austria-Hungary allied with Germany Serbia allied with Russia (slavic) France allied with Russia Germany attacked France through Belgium Great Britain sided with France and Russia Central Powers= Germany, AustriaHungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria Allied Powers= France, GB, Russia, Serbia, Japan, Italy, Belgium US determined to stay neutral US Neutrality • GB and US share a common language British propaganda • 11 million people in US had direct ties to Central Powers fatherland! • Business profited from war • Germany blockaded by GB, could only trade with Allies! • February 1915: unrestricted submarine warfare • May 7, 1915: Lusitania sunk (128 Americans) • The Arabic and The Sussex • Germany= Sussex Pledge British Military Area (declared November 3, 1914) and German Submarine War Zone (declared February 4, 1915) 1916 Election • Progressives tried to nominate TR= refused • Republicans nominated SC Justice Charles Evans Hughes (entice Progressives back to party) – Platform= against Democrat tariff, attack on trusts and the pacifism of Wilson military preparedness – Straddled the fence • Wilson for the Democrats= “He kept us out of war” • Hughes won eastern states, Wilson won South and west • Came down to California with 3,800 votes Presidential Election of 1916 (with electoral vote by state) Wilson was so worried about being a lame duck president in a time of great international tensions that he drew up a plan whereby Hughes, if victorious, would be appointed secretary of state, Wilson and the vice president would resign, and Hughes would thus succeed immediately to the presidency.