Wilson’s “New Freedom” Woodrow Wilson tries to fill in the big shoes left by Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft
Eyewitness to History “ We have been proud of our industrial achievements, but we have not stopped to count the fearful physical and spiritual cost to the men and women and children upon whom the weight and burden of it all has fallen. This is not a day of triumph, it is a day of dedication. Here must gather not the forces of party, the forces of humanity!” Woodrow Wilson, 1913
Wilson Makes Quick Changes 1913 Underwood Tariff Act Lowered tariffs in US to lowest levels in 50 years Congress would make up revenue with graduated income tax. $5,000 or less = 1% tax $20,000 = 3% tax $50,000 = 6% tax
Banking Reform 1913 Federal Reserve Act Created a three tiered banking system in US. Fed Reserve Board Makes deals for economy through banks Fed Reserve Banks Offers interest loans to banks Private banks Offers money to People businesses
Wilson Tackles Big Business in 1914 Clayton Antitrust Act Clarified what businesses could and could not do Could no sell goods below cost to drive out competitors Could not buy stock of other companies to drive them out of business Federal Trade Commission Authorized to investigate any corporations! Targeted issues like Mislabeled items monopolies
Wilson Helps the Worker Farmers Got low interest loans to start new farms Railroad Adamson Act is passed Shortened the workday of railroad workers from 10 to 8!
Wilson Tries to Help Child Laborers and Women Keating-Owen Child Labor Act Outlawed interstate sale of products produced by child labor. Eventually overturned by Supreme Court Why?
Women’s Suffrage National American Woman Suffrage Movement (NAWSA) Leading force in the suffrage movement. Led by President Susan B. Anthony Took very local approach to getting right to vote Suffrage Movement – women’s fight for the right to vote!
Women fight for the right to vote! Alice Paul Broke away for NAWSA to form National Woman’s Party Focused more on national right to vote Wanted a Constitutional change to allow women to vote! But how?
Picket Around the White House!
Carrie Chapman Catt takes over National Woman’s Party 1916 Catt’s fight for women’s right to vote gets help WWI breaks out in 1914 Women offer lots of help to war cause Pres. Wilson says he agrees with women having the right to vote. That always helps! 1919 19th amendment passed Allows women the right to vote!