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Wilsonian Progressivism. Brigitta Mannino and Grace Perez 1 st hr APUSH. Campaign of 1912.
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Wilsonian Progressivism Brigitta Mannino and Grace Perez 1st hr APUSH
Campaign of 1912 • Wilson’s New Freedom platform (Democrat): favored small enterprise, entrepreneurship, free functioning of unregulated and unmonopolized markets. Wilson’s main goal was the fragmentation of the big industrial combines, not regulation. • Roosevelt’s New Nationalism platform: campaigned for women suffrage and a broad program of social welfare, including minimum wage laws, and “socialistic” social insurance • Taft was also in the running for the Republicans, although he played a smaller role. He upheld the traditional Republican views and often butted heads with Roosevelt
“I want to be a bull moose And with bull moose stand With antlers on my forehead And a big stick in my hand”
Wilson’s Contribution • Underwood Tariff: Wilson personally delivered his proposed tariff to congress, which the house swiftly passed. The tariff itself provided for a substantial reduction of rates, which was followed by a swarm of lobbyists seeking to disembowel the bill. • This further proved that Wilson had the support of the majority of the public. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWbXhpcys5I
Wilson Vs. Bankers • Banks were troubled by the inelasticity of the currency, which did not allow mobilization in times of financial stress into areas that were badly pinched. • President Wilson endorsed Democratic proposals for a decentralized bank in government hands . This led to the development of the Federal Reserve Act. • The Federal Reserve Act oversaw a nation wide system of twelve regional reserve districts each with its own central bank.
Progressivism at Work • Federal Trade Commission Act: empowered a presidentially appointed commission to turn a searchlight on industries and gage an interstate commerce. Commissioners were expected to crush monopolies by rooting out unfair trade practices. • Clayton Anti-Trust Act: lengthened the shopworn Sherman’s Acts list of business practices that were deemed objectionable, including price discrimination and interlocking directorates usually achieved through holding companies.
Other Acts Passed • Federal Farm Loan Act: made credit available to farmers at low rates of interest. • Warehouse Act: authorized loans on the security of staple crops • La Follette Seaman’s Act: It required decent treatment and a living wage on American merchant ships. • Resulted in freight rates rising with the crews’ wages.
Acts Continued… • Workingmen’s Compensation Act: granted assistance to federal civil-service employees during periods of disability. • The Adamson Act: established an eight-hour day for all employees on trains in interstate commerce, with extra pay for overtime.
Relevance to Contemporary Times • The President continuous to work closely with congress to establish better relations with businesses. • During reelection season the president will appeal to as many people as he can to gain the public support. • Acts such as the Workingmen’s Compensation are still in affect today, protecting employees from being abused. • Wilson ultimately benefited this country and provided for a better more stable nation.
Relevance to Past Studies • Wilson’s policies were quite similar to Jefferson’s policies which involved a working class and an appeal to the majority of the people. • Earlier the Knights of Labor had fought for eight-hour work shifts which was later achieved through the Adamson Act.