Part I

 Believed America was a “city on a hill” A light to the world Saw himself in a messiah role of sorts  Brilliant and charismatic President of Princeton University as well as US President of USA  President became most powerful man in America under Wilson

 Concentration of power by gov. leaders Even though he said accountability was important  Congressional Government  Accountability stems from democratic process Elections  Pragmatism No absolute values or laws Things change depending upon need  Society was more important than individual “There is nothing private in America. Everything is public”

 Wilson’s presidential campaign  Stricter regulation of business  Government control of money supply  Income tax utilized  Good: Prevented business from abusing the lowly Helped society’s marginalized  Bad: More power in the hands of government Government could assert its own morality

 Wilson had to win over 3 groups Democratic Party Congress American Public

 Division w/in Democratic Party Progressives vs. old line Democrats  Wilson sided w/ the stronger side Old line democrats  Used patronage Rewarded friends Punished enemies Encouraged loyalty

 Made own legislative program  Personal appearances at the Capitol  Personal conferences w/ congressmen  Delivered messages to Congress in person  Made Congress sit for longest session in its history at that time  Passed his “New Freedom” legislation

 Great orator Made people believe they were on a moral crusade  Informal press releases to influence public

 Created the Federal Reserve Board Composed of 12 regional banks Government can control inflation  Federal Trade Commission Act Government given more control over commerce  Clayton Antitrust Act Government given more power to break up big business  Underwood-Simmons Tax Small income tax  Social Welfare Legislation (laws enacted to assist individuals) Federal Farm Loan Act  Loans to farmers Adamson Act  8 hour day for interstate railroad workers Child Labor Act  Prohibited kids under 14 from working in factories

 Wilson appointed Louis D. Brandeis In the tradition of Oliver Wendell Holmes  Brandeis believed law and morality were relative  It was questionable whether or not the Senate would approve Wilson’s nomination Wilson said that they had to approve or he would not favor them through patronage Nomination confirmed