Wilson & Progressivism Chapter 20 Part 6

Woodrow Wilson - Election Wilson – became president in 1912 Idealistic—believed most people learned from experience and wanted to do right. Ran as a democrat.

Woodrow Wilson - Business Believed government should break apart large companies into multiple smaller ones. To help with this agenda, Wilson did two things: 1. Set up the Federal Trade Commission—a regulatory agency that had power to get data and issue orders to stop abuses or else companies could get shut down. 2. Got Congress to pass the Clayton Anti-Trust Act—closed loopholes of the earlier Sherman Anti-Trust act; allowed companies and their executives to be fined and even jailed.

Woodrow Wilson – Financial Reform Wilson believed a high protective tariff (tax) was bad. Passed the Underwood Tariff of 1913—ironically, not a tariff but a tariff reduction. Congress changed income tax from a flat percentage to a graduated tax. The more you earn, the more you pay. Wilson also founded the Federal Reserve System—a system of 12 district banks. Basically, this is a banking system for bankers.

Woodrow Wilson - WWI 1914 – WWI Begins Wilson – “not our problem” Campaigned for president in 1916 with slogan “He kept us out of war!” Won re-election

Woodrow Wilson - WWI Focused on two major issues at home: Prohibition and women’s suffrage. 18th Amendment: Banned the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. 19th Amendment: Granted women 18 years and older right to vote.