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