Wilson’s New Freedom

• Progressive ideals• Attack concentration of

power, give greater freedom

• Attack “triple wall of privilege”

1. Trusts2. Tariffs3. High Finance* Workers rights

Action Against Trusts• Monopolies should be destroyed• Clayton Antitrust Act: outlawed practices that

restricted competition

1. Cannot acquire stock of another if it creates a monopoly.

2. Can’t limit competition in stores based upon another’s product

3. Can’t charge different people different prices

4. Labor/Farm unions can exist and are protected

5. Strikes, boycotts, peaceful picketing were legal

Antitrust Legislation

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): monitor US business

1. Investigate violations of regulation

2. Require reports from corporations

3. Ended many unfair trade practices, those that hurt competition

• 400 cease and desist orders to companies for illegal activities

New Tax System• Curb BIG Business by reducing

tariff rates; assist consumers and manufacturers

• Improve products, lower $ to keep up with foreign competition

• Underwood Tariff Act:

Cut tariff rates for 1st time since Civil War (lost revenue?)

• 16th Amendment (1913):

Graduated Federal Income Tax – More income, higher tax

• Provided more revenue, still main source of revenue today

High Finance Reform• Banking failures led Wilson to

seek public confidence in US banking.

Federal Reserve Act of 1913: Divided nation into 12 districts, a regional bank in each

1. National supervision, set interest rates

2. Held portion of deposits for emergencies

3. Could transfer funds between banks

• Serves as banking system today• Very significant US legislation* Page 310 provides more info

Women Win Suffrage2 main groups1. National Woman Suffrage

Association *Constitutional Amendment

2. American Woman Suffrage Association* State gov’ts 1st then amendment

The 2 form National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA)

19th Amendment

• Civil Disobedience led Alice Paul to form National Woman’s Party

• Carrie Chapman Catt led NAWSA to help pass a Senate vote

• 1920 19th Amendment ratified

Alice Paul

Carrie Chapman Catt

Legacy of the Progressive Era

• Progressive Presidents expanded role of Federal Government and power of the President

• US citizens expect government to solve social and economic issues

• Failure to protect from racial/religious discrimination

• Progressivism takes back seat to global conflict• For Wilson, 1st Imperialism issues and now World

War