WOODROW WIILSON President #28 1913-1921

BACKGROUND/QUALIFICATIONS: An intellectual - former professor & President of Princeton University - “The Professor” (1902) Governor of NJ for 3 years (1910) Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins in Political Science 1st southern President since before the Civil War Dyslexic - couldn’t read ‘til age 8/9 Flag Day established in 1916 Kept flock of sheep on White House lawn (wool raised $ for Red Cross; gardeners off to war) Father a Presbyterian minister Idealistic / no shades of gray

Advantages & Disadvantages in Office Had the support of most Democrats, including Bryan But, Democrats had been out of power for long time - lack of experience Did have a better relationship with Congress than Roosevelt or Taft BUT, minority President, only 42% of popular vote No experience in national or foreign policy. Sec. Of State – Bryan, no experience in foreign affairs. Wilson Victory March

WILSON’S ACHIEVEMENTS Plans to attack the “Triple Wall of Privilege:” Tariffs / Banking / Trusts The Underwood Tariff This Act lowered tariff rates for the first time since 1857! To compensate for loss of revenue, it provided for a graduated income tax (1% on incomes over $3,000) Replaced tariffs as #1 source of revenue by 1917

The Federal Reserve Act, 1913 Most important piece of economic legislation between Civil War & New Deal The bank for bankers! 12 District Banks for Bankers – owned by their members But, public has control through Fed. Reserve Board in Washington which oversees the 12 regional districts Federal Reserve regulates the supply of money in circulation

Trust Regulations Established a Federal Trade Commission, 1914 to investigate and regulate business practices Replaced TR’s Bureau of Corporations Clayton Antitrust Act Stronger than Sherman Act Forbade practices that destroyed competition such as price discrimination

Other Later Accomplishments Adamson Act: established an 8-hour day for railroad workers Women’s Suffrage: received the right to vote with the 19th Amendment – note though, WW was strongly opposed for many years Keating-Owen Child Labor Act: prohibited children under 14 from working in factories producing goods for interstate commerce Hyperlink on women’s suffrage pic to Lady Gaga video

Greatest Failure Wilson was a segregationist who brought Jim Crow laws back to Washington, D.C. His administration segregated all restrooms, drinking fountains, lunch counters in all government buildings according to race. Employees also segregated in government offices (those who objected were fired)

FOREIGN POLICY Problems with Mexico Declares war on Dollar Diplomacy “Moral Diplomacy” instead Anti-imperialist BUT, did make Haiti a protectorate & Philippines a true territory AND, purchased Virgin Islands in 1917 Problems with Mexico “Meddling” in revolution Murders by bandit, Pancho Villa Gen. John J. Pershing sent in - unsuccessful

Summary of Progressive Years Populists (1890s) to Progressives (1900-15) to New Deal (1930s) Teddy Roosevelt – the three C’s: Corporate regulation Consumer Protection Conservation of natural resources Woodrow Wilson – opposes the “Triple Wall of Privilege” Tariffs Trusts Banks Taft? Political, Economic, Social Reforms of the Progressive Years?