LESSON 26 Wilsonian Progressivism ( )

I. Election of 1912: Three candidates emerged A. Republicans  WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT B. Democrats  WOODROW WILSON C. Progressives  THEODORE ROOSEVELT (“Bull Moose Party”)  The Republicans and Progressives split the vote and Wilson emerged as the winner

II. Political aspects of Wilson’s Presidency A. Believed in strong Presidential leadership (shared TR’s viewpoint) B. NEW FREEDOM: Wilson’s progressive domestic program geared toward strengthening and preserving democracy and capitalism in America

Elements of Wilson’s New Freedom program  Lower tariffs on imports  greater focus on using income taxes to raise federal revenue (16 th Amendment – Graduated Income Tax)  Improved banking procedures through the Federal Reserve System (1913)  Better regulation of business and protection of unions and workers CLAYTON ANTITRUST ACT (1914) FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ACT (1914) Elements of Wilson’s New Freedom program  Lower tariffs on imports  greater focus on using income taxes to raise federal revenue (16 th Amendment – Graduated Income Tax)  Improved banking procedures through the Federal Reserve System (1913)  Better regulation of business and protection of unions and workers CLAYTON ANTITRUST ACT (1914) FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ACT (1914)

III. World War I ( ) A. Fundamental causes of WWI  M.A.I.N.  M ILITARISM : European nations greatly expanded armed forces at turn of 20 th century  arms race

 A LLIANCES : Long-standing defensive alliances were triggered  TRIPLE ENTENTE (Allied Powers): England, France, Russia  TRIPLE ALLIANCE (Central Powers): Germany, Austria- Hungary, Italy

 I MPERIALISM : European powers were in strong competition for raw materials and new markets  N ATIONALISM : Smaller nations emerged from breakup of Ottoman Empire and revolutions in Europe

B. U.S. entry into WWI 1.Unrestricted submarine warfare: Germans violated “freedom of the seas” 2.Sinking of the Lusitania (1915): British passenger liner sunk by German u-boat  1,198 total dead  128 Americans  Triggered U.S. support of British

3.Violation of Sussex Pledge (1916): Germans promised to end unrestricted submarine warfare after Lusitania incident, but broke pledge within months of sinking 4.Propaganda: Reports from war somewhat exaggerated by British press  built up war fever in U.S.

5.Zimmermann Note: Note from German Ambassador to Mexican government requesting them to invade U.S. 6.American economic interests: Naval blockades in Atlantic were hurting American trade; U.S. afraid to lend Allies money 7.Idealism: The world would be better if the Allies won  “The war to end all wars”

C. America at War: The Home Front 1.Increase in Presidential Power: Wilson successfully directed the military and the war economy 2.Espionage and Sedition Acts  1917: ESPIONAGE ACT Set penalties for spying on American war activities or obstruction of war effort  Schenck v. U.S. (“clear and present danger” principle)  1918: SEDITION ACT Set penalties for speaking out against the government during wartime

3.Financing the war  Income and excise taxes raised  Sale of Victory and Liberty Bonds to pay for war 4.Military force  SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT Drafting of nearly 3 million Americans to fight in Great War

D. President Wilson’s Fourteen Points  Open treaties of peace  Freedom of the seas  Removal of international trade barriers  Reduction of armaments (weapons and armed forces)  Self-determination for former colonies  Adjustment of European boundaries (points 6-13)  Establishment of the League of Nations

IV. U.S. Refusal to Join the League of Nations A. Establishment and purpose of League: Outlined by Wilson in Treaty of Versailles 1.Deal with economic and social problems 2.Encourage disarmament 3.Settle disputes among nations; fight aggression with sanctions or military force

B. Why did the Senate reject the Treaty? 1.League may involve the U.S. in conflict 2.League would push U.S. away from isolationism 3.Checks and balances: Senate must approve all treaties, and Senate did oppose the Treaty of Versailles  U.S. returned to isolationism C. League failed: U.S. and other major nations did not join the League  This became a major cause of World War II