Progressivism and War

Woodrow Wilson Background: PhD in Political Science Professor at Princeton, later president Governor of New Jersey, ; nominated for president to remove him from NJ

1912 Election Candidates: Taft Wilson TR Debs Main issue: progressive reforms and “dollar diplomacy”

1912 Election TR and the Progressive Party TR wants to run again, denied by Republicans; forms 3 rd party Nicknamed the “Bull Moose Party” Platform called the “New Nationalism Called for further reforms than when president and involvement in world affairs

1912 Election Events: TR shot during campaign, continued anyway Vote divided between four candidates, Wilson wins Electoral College

The Wilson Administration The “Triple Wall of Privilege” the tariff: pledged to lower it, eventually lowered through the Underwood Tariff; also enacted the income tax (16 th Amendment)

The Wilson Administration The “Triple Wall of Privilege: the banks: after death of Morgan in 1913, the Federal Reserve was created; regulated $$ supply and interest rates

The Wilson Administration The “Triple Wall of Privilege: the trusts: similar opinion as Taft, saw trusts as bad for the economy; created the Federal Trade Commission which regulates business Also limits on child labor

The Clayton Anti- Trust Act Also passed Clayton Anti- Trust Act which strengthened the govt. in dealing with trusts Also allowed for unions to be recognized and to “bargain collectively” for first time; called by Gompers as the “Magna Carta” of Labor

Limits of Progressivism Race relations left out of reforms; black Americans see little progress during the era Why?

Wilson’s Foreign Policy Campaigned against Dollar Diplomacy; called for “moral diplomacy”; pulled troops out of Haiti and Dominican Republic

Problems With Mexico Mexican Revolution: 1910 – 1919 MX controlled by dictator Porfirio Diaz, revolt led by Emilio Zapata and Francisco Madero Revolt succeeds and Madero new pres. of MX

Problems With Mexico Madero overthrown and executed by Valeriano Huerta in 1913 Wilson refuses to recognize new leader of MX, begins to secretly support rival Venustiano Carranza Huerta began to threaten American assets and people Huerta Carranza

US in Mexico Wilson vs. Huerta; Huerta supported by business interests but not by US government Sent navy to patrol Mexican coast to “protect” US citizens April, 1914: nine sailors captured entering “restricted zone” in Tampico, MX Wilson sends bombs Vera Cruz in May, starting anti-American riots Huerta threatens American interests in MX US in Mexico

War with Mexico close; both armies prepare US navy blockades Mexican ports Latin American countries move to intercede between US and MX

The “ABC” Powers The “ABC” Powers (Argentina, Brazil, and Chile) mediate between US and MX in Niagara Falls, NY (July, 1914) During conference, Huerta overthrown by Carranza Assisted by Pancho Villa

Francisco “Pancho” Villa Carranza’s military leader, armed and equipped by US Army to fight Huerta Former bandit leader Villa with American general John “Black Jack Pershing

US vs. Villa Wilson promises support, recognition if Carranza removes Villa from command Villa vows revenge, begins raids on American holdings in Mexico Raids Columbus, NM; Kills 18 Americans (July, 1916)

US vs. Villa Wilson sends Pershing into MX to capture Villa, despite MX protests Villa evades US for over a year Pershing returns to US to lead US Army in WW I Villa never captured; rumors?

Causes of World War I: Alliance System in Europe Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary Italy changes sides, replaced by Ottoman Empire (Turkey)

Causes of World War I: Alliance System in Europe Triple Entente: Britain, France, and Russia Called the Allies, joined by US eventually Both alliances had secret agreements to go to each other’s defense if attacked Neither side knew how strong the alliances were for the other side

Causes of World War One: Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany Aggressive, vain, nationalist Sought “Germany’s place in the sun” by expanding empire Conflicts with Britain

Causes of World War One: Expanding Empires Germany and Britain global competition

Causes of World War One: the British-German Arms Race Britain and Germany created huge navies of advanced ships (the “dreadnoughts”) Germany, Russia, and France increased size of armies German dreadnought British dreadnought

Causes of World War One: a Weakening Austro-Hungarian Empire Made up of numerous nationalities and language groups; many wanted self-rule (“autonomy”) Most aggressive nation: Serbia; wanted to self-govern Home to terrorist groups The Black Hand

June 28 th, 1914 Archduke Ferdinand, heir to A-H throne, assassinated by Serbian terrorist Gavrilo Princip, for Serbian independence

The Beginning of WW I Because of the alliance system: A-H declares war on Serbia Russia declares on A-H Germany declares war on Russia France and Britain declare war on Germany

America and WW I: 1914 Wilson declares US neutral Most Americans opposed entry American businesses sold to both Allies and Central Powers Some Americans supported Germany Irish-American troops for the Central Powers

US to Drifts Into War Reasons America began to support the Allies: 1914 invasion of Belgium by CP; treated harshly by Germans Americans respond with Belgian Relief Fund; led by Herbert Hoover

US to Drifts Into War British propaganda affects Americans’ view of Germans and the war New use of newsreels/movies

The Lusitania British passenger ship, carrying Americans and weapons and ammunition Germans give warning in NY papers; U-boats sink ship off the coast of Ireland, killing 127 Americans

Wilson threatens war; Germans “apologize”, promises not sink ships without warning (the “Sussex Pledge”) Sinking of ships continues

1916 Election Wilson vs. Charles Evans Hughes Main issue: US in the war or not “He Kept Us Out of War”