US 8: Wilson and The New Freedom Flashcards
What was the impact of Wilson’s presidency?
Democratic interlude of Woodrow Wilson 1896-1932 - made possible by Republican divisions
- rewon in 1916 and gained rep as world statesman in WW1
- Wilsonism rejected in 1920 election but important to American politics
Who was Walter Lippman?
1889-1974: famous journalist + adviser to presidents, founded New Republic magazine in 1913.
What were the tensions and divisions of the Democratic party?
- William J. Bryan was a powerful opponent and populism was a serious threat to the establishment
- He divided opinion and his central theme was ‘free silver’ 1896 alienated voters in northeast whilst enthusing South and Plains. Failed whilst Republicans benefitted from economy and victory against Spain.
- Bryan vs. Cleveland had heavy opposition
- Nominating convention was dominated by anti-Bryan, pro-business conservatives
- 1908, Democrats went back to Bryan who was more progressive and dropped ‘free silver’ theme/tried appealing to pro-business Democrats but lost anyway (3x)
- 1910 revival in Democratic party because of cracks on Rep. political machine (Taft alienating Roosevelt ⇒ new optimism after winning House of Representatives
Define the Republican ‘disaster’ of 1910
Importance of mid-term elections are underrated as they can show political trends and affect the authority of a president. Adverse results in 1910 led to bitter recriminations among Republicans and prompted Roosevelt to return.
5) Who was Woodrow Wilson?
1865-1924: Woodrow Wilson was a southerner born in Virginia. He had a distinguished academic career: doctorate in political science, president of Princeton University, won election in New Jersey, won election in 1912, re-elected in 1916. From April 1917 on he led US through WW1 + post war peace but stress and illness forced him out in 1920.
6) Explain the events of the 1912 election
- unexpected recovery from democrats and growth of progressivism
- Roosevelt split from Republicans with National Progressive Party to challenge Taft
- Unlike Roosevelt, Wilson unified and attacked Reps as party of big business and high tariffs
- seen as 3 cornered race but also 4th by Eugene Debbs for socialism
7) Who was Eugene Debs?
1865-1926: Eugene Debs was a railroad worker and TU activist. Founder of American Railway Union (ARU) and International Workers of the World (IWW). Led the Great Northern Strike 1893 and Pullman Strike 1894 and was jailed for 6 months for this.
He left the democratic party and ran against them as socialist leader winning almost 1 million votes. He was sent again to prison in 1918 for opposition to WW1
8) Explain the state of socialism within the USA at this time
Thanks to the expansion of the industrial economy conditions for socialism were created. Workers organised into Trade Unions and strikes became more common e.g. Homestead Strike, railroad industry Pullman Strike in 1894, Great Coal Strike 1902. Were immigrants influenced by European ideas of socialism - potentially a powerful force but was divided = Eugene Debs wanted radical reform to economy and society whilst Samuel Gompers was more moderate and was ready to work with businesses as long as wages and jobs of members were safeguarded.
It remained an important political force with significant support, TU gained more strength in WW1 but socialism never beat two main parties in America and was overshadowed by Progressivism
9) Who was Samuel Gompers?
1850-1924: Samuel Gompers born in London and emigrated in 1862 became a TU activist with the Cigarmakers Union. Leader of AFL (American Federation of Labour) from its founding in 1866 to his death. He was a progressive and moderate who believed in cooperation with business, not conflict and opposed IWW. Strong supporter of Spanish-American war of 1898 and involvement in WW1
11) How did tensions and divisions continue within the Democratic party during Wilson’s presidency?
attitudes to mass immigration, moral standards in society, position of African-Americans, industrial relations and US involvement in the war
Who was Charles Evan Hughes?
1862-1948: Charles Evans Hughes progressive reformer, liked British ‘New Liberalism’. Gov of NY 1907-1910, then Justice of Supreme Court until 1916. Pres. Harding appointed Hughes as SoS in 1921, enhanced rep by skilful handling of Washington Naval Conference. 1930 was made chief of Justice of Supreme Court and later clashed with F. Roosevelt over legality of New Deal
General Social Issues
- European war impacted immigration and their integration into communities
- Divisions between German and Irish Americans + recent immigrants from Russia.
- TU leaders opposed unrestricted immigrants to avoid jobs and wages being undercut which intensified pressures
- Progressivism’s strong moral element used in Prohibition campaigns = more political and economic tensions
- Opposition for US support of British and Allies influenced by pacifists and women’s leaders (Jane Addams). From 1910
- beginnings of great northward migration of AA from South to urban centres in North. Many found jobs but faced criticism with racial tensions and revival of KKK in 1915 = set scene for 1916 election
Divisions/Political Tensions
- Wilson faced opposition from Rep (revived after 1912) = made gains in 1914 + some disappointed in Wilson for becoming too moderate (supporting business more and slackening with reforms) + his interventions in Mexico were unpopular (occupation of Vera Cruz in 1914 & General Pershing’s expedition of 1916
- By nov 1916, forces in society and politics pulled closer to economic links with Britain and Allies but forces (+ instincts of Wilson) drew to isolationism and neutrality
- Strong opponent Charles Evan Hughes to Wilson capable leader of a united aprty, Wilson fought election on campaign ‘he kept us out of the war’ = incumbent president with strong record of reform could’ve won easily…
Election
was close to 9.1 million votes for Wilson; 8.5 million votes for Hughes =
margin was barely more than 400,000 votes went to socialist candidate Allan
Benson
Wilson
only won by 13 votes from electoral college and California less than 4000
(would’ve lost without this)
- Wilsons determination to stay out of WW1 was genuine and though US should be a peacemaker but events moved swiftly after election and at end of 1916, Britain made clear that unable to continue financing war = needed aid.
- Early 1917 german gov publicly announced decision to resume unrestricted submarine warfare (sinking American ships) = Wilson’s speech to Congress 2/4/17 marked entry
=
Wilson progressive president era ended -> Wilson the world statesman started
Wilson’s personality
- His personalityWilson had an academic of high moral standing, stubborn and uncompromising & religious background => tendency to moralise was both a strength and weakness.
- Despite progressive stance, he was traditional - his core of support came from Solid South (no racial equality), careful to mend relations with Bryan (got SoS in Wilson’s admin)
Wilson’s New Freedom
- New FreedomNew Freedom’: slogan used by Woodrow Wilson in
1912 differentiating his Progressive ideas from Roosevelt’s.progressive ideology
differing from Roosevelt’s = return of freedom for small business, open
competition instead of domination by big corporate cartels‘the history of liberty is the history of the
limitation of government power, not the increase of it.’ = implemented
reform quickly once in White House
