1. Chapter 8 Section 5 “Wilson’s New Freedom”
The Progressive Era
Chapter 8 Section 5
“Wilson’s New Freedom”

2. Objectives
Evaluate what Wilson hoped to do with his “New Freedom” program.
Describe Wilson’s efforts to regulate the economy
Assess the legacy of the Progressive Era

3. Key Terms and People Woodrow Wilson New Freedom Sixteenth Amendment
Federal Reserve Act
FTC
Clayton Antitrust Act

4. Why do it Matter?
Republicans Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft introduced the country to forceful Progressive Presidents. Democrat Wilson used the expanded power of the Presidency to promote a far-reaching reform agenda.

5. Wilson and Democrats Prevail
1912, the Republican Party split over the issue of reform.
Some wanted a more active government and formed the progressive party.
Loyal republicans gave the not to President William Taft
This gave Democrats an opportunity with Woodrow Wilson to win the Presidency.
Wilson shaped his ideas into a program called the New Freedom.

6. Wilson and the Democrats prevail
Wilson didn’t win the popular vote, but he received more than four times the number of electoral votes that went to Roosevelt or Taft.

7. How did the Republican divisions help Wilson win the Presidency?
The formation of the Progressive Party and its nomination of Theodore Roosevelt as its presidential candidate caused a split among Republican voters and helped the Democratic candidate Wilson win the Election.

8. Wilson Regulates the Economy
President Wilson attacked what he called the “Triple wall of Privilege” – which was the banks, tariffs, and the trusts – that bl0cked businesses from being free.
Sixteenth Amendment – gave congress the power to create an income tax
Wilson aimed to protect workers.
Wilson tried to reform the banking system.
Federal Reserve Act – 1913 placed national banks under the control of the Federal Reserve Board which set up regional banks to hold reserve funds from commercial banks.

9. Wilson strengthens Antitrust Regulation
Wilson agreed with Roosevelt that trust were not dangerous as long as they did not engage in unfair practices.
1914 Wilson persuaded congress to create the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Federal Trade Commission – monitor business practices that might lead to a monopoly and watch out for false advertisement or dishonest labeling.
Clayton Antitrust Act – 1914 strengthened earlier antitrust laws by spelling out those activities in which businesses could not engage.

10. Workers Rights Protected
The Clayton Antitrust Act ushered in a new era for workers by protecting labor unions from being attacked as trust.
Wilson didn’t always support organized labor.
In 1913 coal miners in Ludlow, CO demanded safer conditions, higher pay and the right to form a union. They walked off the job and set up a tent city near the mines. After the strike lasted for a winter. On April 20, 1914 the CO National Guard opened fire on the tent city killing 26 men, women, and children.

11. What policies did Wilson pursue in support of his New Freedom Program?
Wilson pushed for laws that would give the federal government more power over tariffs, banks, and trust.

12. What was the long term impact of the Progressive Era on American Life?
The Progressives established the idea that government can take action to help solve problems in society and the economy.