Chapter 8: The Democratic Party, Woodrow Wilson And The New Freedom 1896-1917 Flashcards
When was Woodrow Wilson president of the United States?
1912-1920
What was Wilson’s reputation when he entered office?
-academic of high moral standing
-stubborn and uncompromising
-based many of his speeches and policies on religious principles
In what sense could Wilson be viewed as a traditional Democrat president?
-he was a Southerner who relied on the Solid South for his core political support
-his moral principles did not extend as far as to campaign for racial equality
What did Wilson ensure at the beginning of his presidency?
careful to mend fences with William Jennings Bryan and his supporters within the Democratic Party
What position was Bryan given in Wilson’s administration?
secretary of state
What was “New Freedom”?
a slogan used by Woodrow Wilson in the 1912 presidential election campaign to differentiate his Progressive ideas from Theodore Roosevelt
What was Wilson’s progressive ideology?
-believed in a return to freedom for small businesses
-open competition rather than domination by big corporate cartels
What economic issue had been a large part of Wilson’s election campaign?
tariff reform
When was the Underwood-Simmons Tariff Act passed?
1913
What did the Underwood-Simmons Tariff Act do?
decreased tariff rates from 41% to 27%
How did Wilson compensate for lost tariff revenues?
imposed a new income tax
What year was the Federal Reserve Act passed?
1913
What did the Federal Reserve Act do?
-established a strong central bank which was under public regulation and control
-all national banks compelled to join one of the 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks which were supervised by the Federal Reserve Board
Why was the Federal Reserve Act important?
gave a focus to monetary policy in the US and provided protection against financial panics such as those in 1893 and 1907
What year was the Federal Trade Commission set up?
1914
What was the purpose of the Federal Trade Commission?
inspect and regulate corporate business methods and prevent unfair practises
What year was the Clayton Anti-trust Act passed?
1914
What was the purpose of the Clayton Anti-trust Act
extend the powers of the 1890 Sherman Anti-trust Act
How many antitrust cases did did Wilson’s administration launch against big businesses?
nearly 100
How did Wilson get the backing of the American Federation of Labour?
preventing strikes, boycotts and peaceful picketing from being declared illegal by employers as restraint of trade
What year was the Adamson Act passed?
1916
What did the Adamson Act do?
used federal powers to regulate inter-state trade to bring in an 8 hour working day for railroad workers
What year was the Workmen’s Compensation Act passed?
1916
What did the Workmen’s Compensation Act do?
provided insurance for workers against injuries at work
