United States History The Progressives: “Taft and Wilson” Unit 2, Chapter 6, Section 4

Main Idea Progressive reforms continued during the Taft and Wilson presidencies, focusing on business, banking and women’s suffrage.

Progressivism under taft Passed 16th Amendment giving Congress the power to tax based on a person’s income. Created Dept. of Labor to enforce labor laws Increased national forest reserves Lost Progressive support with signing of Payne- Aldrich Tariff, and by firing Gifford Pinchot, U.S. Forest Service head. Split in Republican party in 1912, Woodrow Wilson, democrat won election

Wilson’s new freedom Wilson’s “New Freedom” platform drew Progressives to Democratic party Tariff Reduction: Underwood Tariff Act in 1913 reduced tariffs to lowest level in 50 years Banking Reform: Federal Reserve Act in 1913, created central fund to prevent collapse Stronger Antitrust laws: Clayton Antitrust Act in 1914 prevented monopolies

Women Gain the vote National Women’s Party (NWP) formed in 1916, fought for suffrage at federal level National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) changed strategy to campaign on both state and federal levels After WWI, which women supported, there was less opposition. Nineteenth Amendment ratified in 1920

Progressivism and the rights of African Americans Wilson opposed anti-lynching laws, allowed cabined members to segregate offices, passed law making it illegal for blacks and whites to marry in D.C. World War I ended the Progressive Era