1. Progressive Era
Wilson’s New Freedom

2. Wilson’s New Freedom: Wealth (and its undue influence in government)
Woodrow Wilson had pledged to fight:
Wealth (and its undue influence in government)
Banks
Tariff
Trusts
Focused domestically on Financial Reform

3. Financial Reform
Clayton Anti-Trust Act – (1914) Strengthened Sherman Anti-Trust Act, illegal for company to purchase stock in another if it creates monopoly. Also protects Unions.
Creates Federal Trade Commission - (1914)Watchdog group to investigate unfair business practices

4. Financial Reform
Underwood Tariff – lowers Tariff rate for first time since Civil War
Income Tax – Graduated income tax to replace tariff income – 16th Amendment
Click here for a link to federal income tax rates from 1862 –

5. Financial Reform Federal Reserve System-
Government needs to take money supply out of hands of powerful banking trusts
Creates Federal Reserve System to regulate money supply, loan money, help avoid bank panics
Country divided into 12 regions – each with a “branch”
Over time, responsibility and power grows; Federal Reserve is very important to today’s economy.

6. Women and Suffrage Round the clock picketing of the White House
Women continue fight for voting right
Turn to more radical tactics
Carrie Chapman Catt – vocal suffragette leader
Round the clock picketing of the White House
Hungers strikes and arrests
Heckling public officials
19th Amendment, 1919, finally gives women right to vote in national election

7. 2

8. Civil Rights Failures Civil Rights progress stalled under Wilson
Reduces number of African Americans in Government
Segregates Post Office and other institutions in Washington

9. The End of Progressivism
Progressivism fades as World War One and other global issues take precedence
Legacy including 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th Amendments (18th repealed)
Protection of workers, end of monopolies, regulation of food and drugs
Debate over legacy – good or bad in terms of government intervention?

10. From http://chicksandmortar.com.au