Woodrow Wilson’s New FreedomWoodrow Wilson’s New Freedom

What policies does Woodrow Wilson bring to the White House?

1912 Election1912 Election

• 1910: Democrats win House of Representatives• 1912: Roosevelt challenges Taft for Republican Nomination, TR

loses nomination• Roosevelt supporters start the Bull Moose Party• Republican vote split – Democrat Woodrow Wilson wins

New Freedom Plan

2. 1914: Clayton Antitrust Act, & Federal Trade Commission, more trust-busting with new fed agency to enforce

1. 1913: Underwood Act: lowered tariff rate to create more competition for big businesses

● Fed Reserve= less bank failures, ability to circulate money

3. 1914: Federal Reserve Act, divides US into 12 financial districts, each with a regional bank

4. Signed many labor laws protecting workers, esp. children

Amendments Under Wilson• Wilson signed the following Amendments while President:

• 16th Amendment: Federal Income Tax

• 19th Amendment: Women’s suffrage (led by Susan B. Anthony & Carrie Catt of the NAWSA)

• 17th Amendment: Direct Election of Senators

• 18th Amendment: Prohibition of Alcohol

Disappointing Civil Rights Record

• Wilson won support of NAACP during election• After elected, he opposed federal anti-lynching laws & allowed

segregation to spread• African Americans & liberal whites feel betrayed

Wilson’s Missionary Diplomacy• US had a moral responsibility to deny recognition to any Lat. Amer.

Gov that seemed oppressive, undemocratic, or hostile to US interests

Mexican Revolution• Mex. Pres. Madero overthrown by Gen. Victorniano Huerta• Wilson refuses to recognize Huerta’s Gov• Huerta’s officers arrest American sailors in Tampico, MX• Wilson orders US Marines to invade & occupy Veracruz, MX• Huerta overthrown by Venustiano Carranza, Wilson recognizes

Carranza’s Govt

Wilson vs. Pancho Villa

• Carranza invites US to help run local mines• Rev. leader Pancho Villa kidnaps & kills mining engineers and

raids a border town, killing 17 Americans• Wilson sends Gen. John “Blackjack” Pershing into Mexico to

hunt down Villa• Carranza demands US troops leave• US/Mex close to war, both sides back down mostly due to WWI• Carranza overthrown, Wilson supports new Obregon govt