WOODROW WIILSON

President #281912-1920

BACKGROUND/QUALIFICATIONS: An intellectual - former professor & President of Princeton University - “The Professor” (1902)

Governor of NJ for 3 years (1910)

Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins in Political Science

1st southern President since before the Civil War

Dyslexic - couldn’t read ‘til age 8/9

Flag Day established in 1916

Kept flock of sheep on White House

lawn (wool raised $ for Red Cross;

gardeners off to war)

Father a Presbyterian minister

Idealistic / no shades of gray

Advantages & Disadvantages in OfficeHad the support of most Democrats, including Bryan

But, Democrats had been out of power for long time - lack of experience

Did have a better relationship with Congress than Roosevelt or Taft

BUT, minority President, only 42% of popular voteNo experience in national or foreign policy.Sec. Of State – Bryan, no experience in foreign affairs.

Wilson Victory March

This Act lowered tariff rates for the first time since 1857!

To compensate for loss of revenue, it provided for a graduated income tax (1% on incomes over $3,000)

Replaced tariffs as #1 source of revenue by 1917

The Underwood Tariff

WILSON’S ACHIEVEMENTSPlans to attack the “Triple Wall of Privilege:”

Tariffs / Banking / Trusts

The Federal Reserve Act, 1913Most important piece of economic legislation between Civil War & New DealThe bank for bankers!12 District Banks for Bankers – owned by their membersBut, public has control through Fed. Reserve Board in Washington which oversees the 12 regional districtsBoard has authority to issue paper money & can increase money in circulation

Trust Regulations

Established a Federal Trade Commission, 1914 to investigate and regulate business practices

Replaced TR’s Bureau of Corporations

Stronger than Sherman Act

Forbade practices that destroyed competition such as price discrimination

Clayton Antitrust Act

Other Later Accomplishments

Adamson Act: established an 8-hour day for railroad workers

Women’s Suffrage: received the right to vote with the 19th Amendment – note though, WW was strongly opposed for many years

Keating-Owen Child Labor Act: prohibited children under 14 from working in factories producing goods for interstate commerce

GreatestFailure

Wilson was a segregationist who brought Jim Crow laws back to Washington, D.C.

His administration segregated all restrooms, drinking fountains, lunch counters in all government buildings according to race.

Employees also segregated in government offices (those who objected were fired)

FOREIGN POLICYDeclares war on Dollar Diplomacy“Moral Diplomacy” insteadAnti-imperialist

BUT, did make Haiti a protectorate & Philippines a true territoryAND, purchased Virgin Islands in 1917

Problems with Mexico“Meddling” in revolutionMurders by bandit, Pancho VillaGen. John J. Pershing sent in - unsuccessful

QUIZ TIME!!

For the following slides, match the phrase or sentence with the progressive president it best fits.

Pure Food and Drug Act:

1 2 3

89%

0%11%

1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

He attempted to lower tariff rates, but actually raised them with he Payne-Aldrich Tariff.

1 2 3

5%0%

95%1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

The best “trustbuster:”

1 2 3

11%

21%

68%1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

Federal Reserve System:

1 2 3

0%

95%

5%

1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

Meat Inspection Act:

1 2 3

95%

0%5%

1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

Women finally get suffrage, even though he was not supportive at first.

1 2 3

5%

89%

5%

1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

His greatest failure was his attitude about race and the return of segregation to D.C.:

1 2 3

0%

100%

0%

1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

The “Reluctant” President – didn’t really campaign in 1912:

1 2 3

5%11%

84%1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

The “Cowboy” who promised Americans a “Square Deal:”

1 2 3

100%

0%0%

1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

Only President to also serve as Chief Justice:

1 2 3

5%0%

95%1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

Democrat; Federal Trade Commission; Clayton Antitrust Act

1 2 3

0%

100%

0%

1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

Set precedent in settling the Coal Miner’s strike:

1 2 3

79%

0%

21%

1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

Conservation efforts were his greatest domestic achievement:

1 2 3

100%

0%0%

1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

Campaigned and won in 1912 with his “New Freedom” platform:

1 2 3

5%

95%

0%

1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson

Sought an unprecedented third term in office:

1 2 3

95%

5%0%

1. T. Roosevelt

2. Taft

3. Wilson