Post by djxkorean on Aug 10, 2009 18:08:21 GMT -8
28th President Woodrow Wilson (1913 – 1921)
In my WILL(Wilson), I told my wife to not NaG(28), or else I will DooM(13) her to a death by being hit in the head with a NuT(21).
I. Election
. . A. Republicans: nominate William H. Taft for 2nd term
. . . . 1. Roosevelt’s unsuccessful attempt to get Republican nomination and success at replacing La Follete as leader of Progressives splits the party
. . B. Progressives: nominate Theodore Roosevelt
. . . . 1. Republican insurgents first support La Follete but then switch to Roosevelt who has more winning percentage
. . . . 2. Roosevelt unwilling to commit himself until after Republican nomination attempt; Taft forces control convention
. . C. Democrats: nominate Thomas Woodrow Wilson
. . . . 1. Woodrow Wilson used to be professor but George Harvey, editor of “Harper’s Weekly”, chooses Wilson as person to replace Bryan
. . . . . . a. 1st step: get Wilson elected as governor of New Jersey; Wilson wins and gets eyes of nation on Trenton
. . . . . . . . i. Wilson gets a lot of reforms done as governor
. . . . . . b. 2nd step: western speaking tour makes Wilson a national figure
. . . . 2. Champ Clark or Missouri led in early balloting, but William J. Bryan uses influence to get Woodrow Wilson elected
. . D. Democrats and many Independents voted for Wilson and Republicans split votes between Taft and Roosevelt
. . . . 1. Democrats gain control of both House and Denate
II. Reelection – Close Race
. . A. Republicans: nominated Charles Evans Hughes (resigned from Supreme Court to run)
. . B. Progressives: nominated Roosevelt, who refuses and advises them to follow him back into regular Republican fold
. . . . 1. Disintegration of Progressives, and repairs rift in Republican Party
. . C. Democrats: renominates Wilson with slogan “He kept us out of war”
. . D. The Election
. . . . 1. states with largest blocs voted for Hughes but newspapers gave Wilson’s defeat
. . . . 2. Returns from Western states began to change pictures and final result depended on CA
. . . . . . a. goes to Wilson by narrow margin
. . . . 3. Democrats Party loses great majority in House and Senate and majority mostly disappears
. . . . 4. Election personal (Wilson) victory, not a party (Democrat) victory
III. The US Amendments (16 through 19)
. . A. 16th Amendment: federal income tax
. . . . 1. Amendment is evidence supporting judgement that Taft’s alleged conservatism is illusion
. . B. 17th Amendment: direct election of Senators by people
. . C. 18th Amendment: Prohibition and temperance law
. . . . 1. Temperance Unions + men in war (unable to exert political influence) + need for grains for food not alcohol = 18th Amendment
. . . . 2. Volstead Act: passed over Wilson’s veto, .5% alcohol is “intoxicating”
. . . . 3. Leads to lots of corruption, breaking of laws, and a crime wave
. . D. 19th Amendment: gave women the right to vote
. . . . 1. Started in 1869 by Susan B. Anthony
. . . . 2. Passed largely by seeing how women did “men’s work” when men out during war
IV. Underwood Tariff (1913)
. . A. Wilson special session of Congress on day of inauguration to consider revision of tariff
. . . . 1. 1st time since Jefferson, President appeared in person to address both Houses in joint session
. . B. Oscar Underwood, chairman of Ways and Means Committee, gets bill pushed through House that Wilson wanted
. . . . 1. Rates reduced on 950+ items (mostly necessities) and rates raised on luxuries
. . . . 2. ~300 items put on free list
. . . . 3. 25-30% reduction from Payne-Aldrich level; 1st substantial reduction in 56 years
. . C. Part of tariff was income tax: rates on higher income people of America
. . D. For years, major parties argued about tariffs
. . . . 1. Republicans: tariff protection as primary reason for great industrial growth and prosperity of the US, protector of “full dinner pail”
. . . . 2. Democrats: protective tariff poured profits into pockets of rich squeezed from everybody by high prices
. . E. 1st since US got industrialized tariff for revenue instead of protection
. . F. < 1yr after passage of Underwood Tariff, war breaks out in Europe
. . . . 1. imports to US drops and demand for US products rise; tariff shrivels to a point of insignificance as factor in int’l trade
. . . . 2. Income tax is much more productive, lead source of gov’t funds
V. Federal Reserve Act (Glass-Owen Act) (1913)
. . A. Very small group controlled American industry, transportation, and credit
. . . . 1. investigated by Pujo Committee – report in 1913 sets background for Wilson’s financial and antitrust legislation
. . B. Makes new banking system that is controlled by the public
. . C. Major provisions of the Federal Reserve Act:
. . . . 1. Nation divided into 12 Federal Reserve districts w/ Federal Reserve bank in each district
. . . . . . a. All nat’l banks join the system and depost part of capital and surplus with district F.R. bank
. . . . . . b. Only banks can do business with Federal Reserve banks which supplied funds for 12 F.R. banks
. . . . 2. Federal Reserve Board of 8 members appointed by President: regulate rediscount rate charged members banks for loans
. . . . . . a. Gave major control over credit available to businesses
. . . . 3. Money can be transferred from any Federal Reserve bank to any other; supply of money and credit can flow easily
. . . . . . a. Member banks can obtain funds for sound loans; definition of “sound” decided by Federal Reserve Board
. . . . 4. Federal Reserve notes issued by Federal Reserve banks w/ commercial paper as security and backing of 40% of gold reserve
VI. Federal Trade Commission
. . A. Wilson calls program “New Freedom” – freedom for consumers and workers from unfair practices commonly associated w/ monopolies
. . B. Est. of Federal Trade Commission
. . . . 1. 5 members appointed by President with 7 year terms and both parties represented on Commission
. . . . 2. Had jurisdiction over large corporations, minus banking and transportation
. . . . . . a. right to demand annual and special reports to assist fact finding
. . . . . . b. right to publish findings if it served the public interest
. . . . . . c. issue cease and desist orders (subject to review by the courts)
. . . . 3. unfair practices: deceptive and false labeling, adulteration of products, conspiracies to maintain prices, and false claims to patents
. . C. Set up to warn and advise corps. in order to prevent violations of law
. . . . 1. Proved useful in advising gov’t of situations that invited prosecution and needed facts
VII. Clayton Antritrust Act (1914)
. . A. Law made to correct weaknesses in the Sherman Antitrust Act, add new provisions, remove labor unions from under antitrust laws
. . B. Forbade (to prevent monopoly)
. . . . 1. interlocking directorates that would lessen competition
. . . . 2. ownership of stock by one corp. in competing corp.
. . . . 3. tying contracts, which restricted retailer to handling only product of one supplier
. . . . 4. price-cutting below cost in effort to eliminate competitor
. . C. Provisions favorable to labor:
. . . . 1. antitrust laws don’t apply to labor unions/farm organizations/ other nonprofit mutual help associations
. . . . 2. injunction can’t be issued in labor disputes unless it is threat of irreparable damage to property (see Pullman strike of 1894)
. . . . 3. boycotts, peaceful strikes, and peaceful picketing are legal
. . . . 4. labor of a human being is not commodity or article of commerce
. . D. Interpretation by courts before financial crash of 1929 leaned heavily in favor of views of business leaders
VIII. US Foreign Policy
. . A. Dollar Diplomacy: relationship between US and Latin America
. . . . 1. diplomacy of our gov’t toward republics to south had main consideration the protection of American investments
. . . . 2. Wherever, large-scale American businesses were in Latin America, US dominated economy of area and sometimes gov’t of republic
. . B. Nicaragua
. . . . 1. 1911: Taft approves loan by NY bankers of $1.5 million to Nicaragua
. . . . . . a. to make sure of repayment, American operate Nat’l Bank of Nicaragua, and US Marines stationed until 1933
. . C. Dominican Republic
. . . . 1. Finances of Dominican Republic had been in good order in 1907, but revolution and irresponsibility brings Dominican finances to chaotic state
. . . . . . a. Wilson sends in troops – est. military gov’t in Nov. 1916
. . . . . . b. By 1922, finances in good order and political control gradually returned; US forces withdrawn in July 1924 with new election
. . D. Haiti
. . . . 1. 2 revolution w/in 6 months early in 1915: unable to meet financial obligations
. . . . . . a. Wilson sends US troops and takes over island and governs until 1932
. . . . . . b. US helps Haiti receive receiverships: people of Haiti elected own officials, which were subject to US approval
. . E. Virgin Islands
. . . . 1. 1917: both Denmark and US afraid Germany might take Virgin Islands so US buys it for $25 million
. . . . 2. 1927: inhabitants of Virgin Islands made US citizens; 1936: islands organized as a territory; 1939: universal suffrage adopted
. . F. Mexico
. . . . 1. Background
. . . . . . a. 1910: Profirio Diaz is dictator of Mexico for +30 yrs – foreign investments (mostly US) are huge
. . . . . . b. In 1911, Diaz forced by Francisco Madero (liberal revolutionary leader) to resign.
. . . . . . . . i.Madero causes destruction of property and some US lose lives
. . . . . . c. Taft recognizes Madero gov’t and makes no move toward military occupation
. . . . 2. Feb. 1913: Madero assassinated by agent of General Huerta – strongly supported by business interests
. . . . . . a. Taft and Wilson refuse to recognize Huerta’s rule; Wilson is disgusted by dictators who attain position by assassination
. . . . 3. Wilson chooses not to adopt policy of dollar diplomacy and takes policy of “watchful waiting”
. . . . 4. Tells Huerta that US would use influence to force him from power
. . . . . . a. Arms embargo and naval blockade off Veracruz to prevent military supplies getting into Huerta from other countries
. . . . 5. April 9, 1914: unarmed Marines from US goes ashore for supplies at Tampico – arrested but released
. . . . . . a. Wilson orders occupation of Veracruz; real reason is to stop German shipment of arms
. . . . 6. Argentina, Brazil, Chile (ABC powers) suggest arbitration: Wilson agrees and conference held May to June 1914
. . . . . . a. Huerta goes into exile, Carranza (favored by Wilson) recognized as president of Mexico and Marines leave Veracruz in 1914
. . G. Zimmerman note: March 1st 1917
. . . . 1. British intercept German message to Mexico
. . . . . . a. if US goes to war against Germany and Mexico attacks US, Germany promised to give “lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona
IX. The Great Migration
. . A. Between 1916 and 1918, 400,000+ southern black people went north to work in northern factories
. . . . 1. WWI deprived northern industry of European immigrant labor
. . . . 2. Boll weevil killing cotton crops forced a lot of southern farm workers off land
World War I
I. The Cause of War
. . A. The “Lusitania” (May 1915)
. . . . 1. Before “Lusitania” left NY, Imperial German embassy signed notice saying that ships flying British flag in war zone liable to destruction
. . . . 2. “Lusitania”’s cargo was some contraband; Int’l law: ship with contraband is legal target for enemy action
. . . . . . a. “Lusitania” is promptly sunk and kills 128 Americans
. . . . 3. Reactions differed sharply throughout America
. . . . . . a. Congress talked of passing laws forbidding American citizens to travel on ships of belligerents
. . . . . . b. Wilson favored protests and insistence on our rights as neutral
. . . . . . . . i. Sec. of State Bryan resigned saying such a course could only lead to war
. . B. Sussex Pledge Broken (Feb. 1917)
. . . . 1. Aug 19, 1915: 2 US lives lost when British passenger ships torpedoed
. . . . . . a. German ambassadors assures US that liners not be sunk by German submarines w/o warning and w/o safety of lives of noncombatants
. . . . . . b. German gov’t offers indemnity; Wilson’s insistence on US rights as neutral seemed to be bringing results
. . . . 2. March 24, 1916: French passenger liner “Sussex” sunk in English channel
. . . . . . a. President Wilson threatens to break off diplomatic relations unless there was an immediate end to German’s methods
. . . . . . b. Sussex Pledge: Germany promises that it would abide by Wilson’s demands on condition US compel Allies to respect int’l law in naval war
. . . . . . . . i. Leads to small lull from spring 1916 to Feb 1917
. . . . 3. Jan 31, 1917, German ambassador informs breaking of Sussex Pledge
. . . . . . a. US allowed one ship a week to British Isles and 3 a week to Mediterranean ports (big insult)
. . . . 4. Feb 3, US ship is torpedoed and same day, President Wilson announces severed ties between US and Germany
. . C. April 2nd, 1917, Wilson asks Congress for declaration of War. Passes Congress on April 6. US is at War
II. Organizing for War
. . A. Liberty Loans and War Revenue Acts
. . . . 1. Gov’ts policy was to raise 2/3s of war’s cost by borrowing and 1/3 by taxes
. . . . 2. 4 Liberty Loans (bond issues) and after war in 1919, Victory Loan
. . . . . . a. Instead of borrowing in large sums from banks, borrowed as little as $50 from individuals
. . . . . . b. 5 bond issues raised $21billion +
. . . . 3. Most important special war tax was increased taxes on incomes
. . . . . . a. Reached maximum of 65%; Corps. taxes from 20-60% on excess profits
. . . . . . . . i. “excess” – profits above level of corp earned before war in 1911-1913
. . . . . . b. Everything Congress could think of bore a special war tax
. . . . . . c. Income from taxes about $11.25 billion
. . B. Railroads and Ships
. . . . 1. summer of 1916: railroad workers’ unions demanded more pay and shorter hours
. . . . . . a. US couldn’t have railroads not operating during time of war so issues Adamson Act
. . . . . . . . i. gives railroad workers 8-hr day with same pay received for 10-hr day, plus time and half for overtime
. . . . . . . . ii. Gave President power to take over railroads if militarily necessary
. . . . 2. Dec. 12, 1917, President Wilson takes over railroads and places McAdoo as Railroad Administrator
. . . . . . a. enforces system of priorities, discouraged unnecessary traffic, embargoes on nonessential freight, coordinated all roads into war effort
. . . . 3. Esch-Cummins Act of 1920 (aka Transportation Act of 1920) returned railroads to private operation
. . . . . . a. Gov’t convinced that efficiency and economy was promoted through consolidations so put some features into act
. . . . . . . . i. ICC can evaluate railroad property and fix rates that will yield fare returns
. . . . . . . . ii. commission was to work out plan for consolidating railroads into fewer systems in order to improve service
. . . . . . . . iii. railroad labor board set up to settle disputes between labor and management
. . . . 4. End of WWI markes beginning of decline railroads, Depression of 1930 hits railroads hard
. . . . 5. Sept 1916: Congress sets up shipping board of 5 members to get ships any way they could
. . . . . . a. done effectively through Emergency Fleet Corporation: supplied 10million tons of shipping
. . C. War Industries Board
. . . . 1. July 1916: War Industries Board created to supervise all war industries
. . . . . . a. Bernard Baruch was chairman for most of war (czar of indsutry)
. . . . . . . . i. had authority to convert factories to war work, allocate fuel and materials, fix prices, and purchase supplies
. . D. Lever Food and Fuel Act
. . . . 1. Herbert Hoover headed Food Administration:
. . . . . . a. could fix prices on staple foods and do whatever seemed effective to “stimulate and conserve production and control distr. of foods”
. . . . 2. Law prevented use of grain for manufacture of alcoholic beverages; program worked effectively because public cooperated
. . . . 3. Farmers expanded acreage and stepped up production until they were feeding US, much of wartorn Europe, and Allied armed forces
. . . . 4. Harry Garfield was Fuel Administrator
. . . . . . a. powers and responsibilities similar to Hoover for food
. . . . 5. Nonessential factories often shut down so that their fuel supply could be transferred to war plant
III. American Expeditionary Forces in France
. . A. US entered war at peak of submarine offensive; last 6 months found Allies at their lowest point
. . . . 1. arrival of 1st American troops little more than moral boost
. . . . 2. Italian army began to crumble in Oct and collapses and defeated by Germany in December
. . . . 3. Nov. revolution in Russia released huge German forces for use in France
. . B. American troops arrived at accelerating rate and totaled 2,084,000
. . C. General John J. Pershing was in command of Allied Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
IV. The End of the War
. . A. 14 Points (Jan 1918)
. . . . 1. On Jan 8, Wilson addressed Congress to state war aims and peace terms of US
. . . . 2. Some points dealt with territorial adjustments of immediate concern and other principles that Wilson thought should guide int’l relationships
. . . . . . a. Open covenants openly arrived at; self-determination of peoples
. . . . . . b. absolute freedom of seas in peace and war
. . . . . . c. Removal of barriers to int’l trade (tariffs, etc.); reduction of armaments so only a police force to keep domestic order remains
. . . . . . d. General association of nations must be formed; continuing force working to achieve a better world (most important of 14 points)
. . B. Treaty of Versailles
. . . . 1. Oct 24, 1918: President Wilson calls for everyone voting for Democratic Party
. . . . . . a. Only a unified Congress and President could make things work; Republican Congress would “repudiate my leadership”
. . . . . . b. Caused BIG problems: pissed off Republicans making bipartisanship harder, seemed to public that Wilson wanted undue influence
. . . . . . c. Republicans win both houses of Congress
. . . . . . d. Greater criticism: Wilson goes to Peace Conference with 4 advisors with only one Republican and no senators
. . . . 2. Wilson negotiated with Georges Clemenceau (France), David Lloyd George (Great Britain) and Vittorio Orlando (Italy) = Big Four
. . . . . . a. In order to get League of Nations written into treaty, Wilson gave in on some terms neither he nor US approved
. . . . 3. Bulk of Versailles Treaty was Covenant of the League of Nations
. . . . . . a. other terms: forced admission of guilt by Germany for the war, return of Alsace-Lorraine to France; Saar Basin under L.o.N. for 15 yrs
. . . . . . b. German Rhineland demilitarized and German colonies mandated under L.o.N.
. . . . 4. Ratification of Treaty of Versailles with Covenant of League of Nation became of great debate of the campaign of 1920
V. The War Record
. . A. Look back over WWI: Job remarkably well done
. . . . 1. President, Congress, and rest of the US became effective team
. . . . 2. General Pershing proved to be more-than-capable head of the AEF
. . . . 3. Liberty bonds and Elective Service Act raised money and men wisely, effectively, and fairly
. . B. One blot in picture: hysterical behavior of too many ppl encouraged by Attorney General Palmer (Palmer raids)
. . . . 1. Espionage Act, Sedition Act; all things German are rejected, thrown away (books, honorary degrees, students, etc.)
Commentary: I truly wonder what in the world Wilson was thinking when he decided to ask the public to vote for Democrats under the argumentation that only through a Democratic Congress could there be unity. I mean, if you look back to John Adams and the collapse of the Federalist Party early in the history of the Untied States, he would realize that the Federalists dissolved because the public thought they were trying to get undue power within the government. Woodrow Wilson was a professor in history before he became governor and President, so shouldn’t he have considered of that possibility for a second. And if he didn’t due to some lapse in judgment, then was the whole Democratic party fine with what Wilson was saying? Because I am sure that the Republicans capitalized on Wilson’s statement that the Democrats were simply trying to capture Congress. I would most definitely have looked at the Democrats in a different light and this may have changed my opinion of the Democrats. If he had just kept quiet, then it is largely possible that the Democrats could have won the majority in Congress. At the very least, he wouldn’t have alienated Congress and the public opinion of the Democrats. This and other instances within Wilson’s presidency makes me assume that Wilson was not a great President but was just one who had a good record simply because of record.
In my WILL(Wilson), I told my wife to not NaG(28), or else I will DooM(13) her to a death by being hit in the head with a NuT(21).
I. Election
. . A. Republicans: nominate William H. Taft for 2nd term
. . . . 1. Roosevelt’s unsuccessful attempt to get Republican nomination and success at replacing La Follete as leader of Progressives splits the party
. . B. Progressives: nominate Theodore Roosevelt
. . . . 1. Republican insurgents first support La Follete but then switch to Roosevelt who has more winning percentage
. . . . 2. Roosevelt unwilling to commit himself until after Republican nomination attempt; Taft forces control convention
. . C. Democrats: nominate Thomas Woodrow Wilson
. . . . 1. Woodrow Wilson used to be professor but George Harvey, editor of “Harper’s Weekly”, chooses Wilson as person to replace Bryan
. . . . . . a. 1st step: get Wilson elected as governor of New Jersey; Wilson wins and gets eyes of nation on Trenton
. . . . . . . . i. Wilson gets a lot of reforms done as governor
. . . . . . b. 2nd step: western speaking tour makes Wilson a national figure
. . . . 2. Champ Clark or Missouri led in early balloting, but William J. Bryan uses influence to get Woodrow Wilson elected
. . D. Democrats and many Independents voted for Wilson and Republicans split votes between Taft and Roosevelt
. . . . 1. Democrats gain control of both House and Denate
II. Reelection – Close Race
. . A. Republicans: nominated Charles Evans Hughes (resigned from Supreme Court to run)
. . B. Progressives: nominated Roosevelt, who refuses and advises them to follow him back into regular Republican fold
. . . . 1. Disintegration of Progressives, and repairs rift in Republican Party
. . C. Democrats: renominates Wilson with slogan “He kept us out of war”
. . D. The Election
. . . . 1. states with largest blocs voted for Hughes but newspapers gave Wilson’s defeat
. . . . 2. Returns from Western states began to change pictures and final result depended on CA
. . . . . . a. goes to Wilson by narrow margin
. . . . 3. Democrats Party loses great majority in House and Senate and majority mostly disappears
. . . . 4. Election personal (Wilson) victory, not a party (Democrat) victory
III. The US Amendments (16 through 19)
. . A. 16th Amendment: federal income tax
. . . . 1. Amendment is evidence supporting judgement that Taft’s alleged conservatism is illusion
. . B. 17th Amendment: direct election of Senators by people
. . C. 18th Amendment: Prohibition and temperance law
. . . . 1. Temperance Unions + men in war (unable to exert political influence) + need for grains for food not alcohol = 18th Amendment
. . . . 2. Volstead Act: passed over Wilson’s veto, .5% alcohol is “intoxicating”
. . . . 3. Leads to lots of corruption, breaking of laws, and a crime wave
. . D. 19th Amendment: gave women the right to vote
. . . . 1. Started in 1869 by Susan B. Anthony
. . . . 2. Passed largely by seeing how women did “men’s work” when men out during war
IV. Underwood Tariff (1913)
. . A. Wilson special session of Congress on day of inauguration to consider revision of tariff
. . . . 1. 1st time since Jefferson, President appeared in person to address both Houses in joint session
. . B. Oscar Underwood, chairman of Ways and Means Committee, gets bill pushed through House that Wilson wanted
. . . . 1. Rates reduced on 950+ items (mostly necessities) and rates raised on luxuries
. . . . 2. ~300 items put on free list
. . . . 3. 25-30% reduction from Payne-Aldrich level; 1st substantial reduction in 56 years
. . C. Part of tariff was income tax: rates on higher income people of America
. . D. For years, major parties argued about tariffs
. . . . 1. Republicans: tariff protection as primary reason for great industrial growth and prosperity of the US, protector of “full dinner pail”
. . . . 2. Democrats: protective tariff poured profits into pockets of rich squeezed from everybody by high prices
. . E. 1st since US got industrialized tariff for revenue instead of protection
. . F. < 1yr after passage of Underwood Tariff, war breaks out in Europe
. . . . 1. imports to US drops and demand for US products rise; tariff shrivels to a point of insignificance as factor in int’l trade
. . . . 2. Income tax is much more productive, lead source of gov’t funds
V. Federal Reserve Act (Glass-Owen Act) (1913)
. . A. Very small group controlled American industry, transportation, and credit
. . . . 1. investigated by Pujo Committee – report in 1913 sets background for Wilson’s financial and antitrust legislation
. . B. Makes new banking system that is controlled by the public
. . C. Major provisions of the Federal Reserve Act:
. . . . 1. Nation divided into 12 Federal Reserve districts w/ Federal Reserve bank in each district
. . . . . . a. All nat’l banks join the system and depost part of capital and surplus with district F.R. bank
. . . . . . b. Only banks can do business with Federal Reserve banks which supplied funds for 12 F.R. banks
. . . . 2. Federal Reserve Board of 8 members appointed by President: regulate rediscount rate charged members banks for loans
. . . . . . a. Gave major control over credit available to businesses
. . . . 3. Money can be transferred from any Federal Reserve bank to any other; supply of money and credit can flow easily
. . . . . . a. Member banks can obtain funds for sound loans; definition of “sound” decided by Federal Reserve Board
. . . . 4. Federal Reserve notes issued by Federal Reserve banks w/ commercial paper as security and backing of 40% of gold reserve
VI. Federal Trade Commission
. . A. Wilson calls program “New Freedom” – freedom for consumers and workers from unfair practices commonly associated w/ monopolies
. . B. Est. of Federal Trade Commission
. . . . 1. 5 members appointed by President with 7 year terms and both parties represented on Commission
. . . . 2. Had jurisdiction over large corporations, minus banking and transportation
. . . . . . a. right to demand annual and special reports to assist fact finding
. . . . . . b. right to publish findings if it served the public interest
. . . . . . c. issue cease and desist orders (subject to review by the courts)
. . . . 3. unfair practices: deceptive and false labeling, adulteration of products, conspiracies to maintain prices, and false claims to patents
. . C. Set up to warn and advise corps. in order to prevent violations of law
. . . . 1. Proved useful in advising gov’t of situations that invited prosecution and needed facts
VII. Clayton Antritrust Act (1914)
. . A. Law made to correct weaknesses in the Sherman Antitrust Act, add new provisions, remove labor unions from under antitrust laws
. . B. Forbade (to prevent monopoly)
. . . . 1. interlocking directorates that would lessen competition
. . . . 2. ownership of stock by one corp. in competing corp.
. . . . 3. tying contracts, which restricted retailer to handling only product of one supplier
. . . . 4. price-cutting below cost in effort to eliminate competitor
. . C. Provisions favorable to labor:
. . . . 1. antitrust laws don’t apply to labor unions/farm organizations/ other nonprofit mutual help associations
. . . . 2. injunction can’t be issued in labor disputes unless it is threat of irreparable damage to property (see Pullman strike of 1894)
. . . . 3. boycotts, peaceful strikes, and peaceful picketing are legal
. . . . 4. labor of a human being is not commodity or article of commerce
. . D. Interpretation by courts before financial crash of 1929 leaned heavily in favor of views of business leaders
VIII. US Foreign Policy
. . A. Dollar Diplomacy: relationship between US and Latin America
. . . . 1. diplomacy of our gov’t toward republics to south had main consideration the protection of American investments
. . . . 2. Wherever, large-scale American businesses were in Latin America, US dominated economy of area and sometimes gov’t of republic
. . B. Nicaragua
. . . . 1. 1911: Taft approves loan by NY bankers of $1.5 million to Nicaragua
. . . . . . a. to make sure of repayment, American operate Nat’l Bank of Nicaragua, and US Marines stationed until 1933
. . C. Dominican Republic
. . . . 1. Finances of Dominican Republic had been in good order in 1907, but revolution and irresponsibility brings Dominican finances to chaotic state
. . . . . . a. Wilson sends in troops – est. military gov’t in Nov. 1916
. . . . . . b. By 1922, finances in good order and political control gradually returned; US forces withdrawn in July 1924 with new election
. . D. Haiti
. . . . 1. 2 revolution w/in 6 months early in 1915: unable to meet financial obligations
. . . . . . a. Wilson sends US troops and takes over island and governs until 1932
. . . . . . b. US helps Haiti receive receiverships: people of Haiti elected own officials, which were subject to US approval
. . E. Virgin Islands
. . . . 1. 1917: both Denmark and US afraid Germany might take Virgin Islands so US buys it for $25 million
. . . . 2. 1927: inhabitants of Virgin Islands made US citizens; 1936: islands organized as a territory; 1939: universal suffrage adopted
. . F. Mexico
. . . . 1. Background
. . . . . . a. 1910: Profirio Diaz is dictator of Mexico for +30 yrs – foreign investments (mostly US) are huge
. . . . . . b. In 1911, Diaz forced by Francisco Madero (liberal revolutionary leader) to resign.
. . . . . . . . i.Madero causes destruction of property and some US lose lives
. . . . . . c. Taft recognizes Madero gov’t and makes no move toward military occupation
. . . . 2. Feb. 1913: Madero assassinated by agent of General Huerta – strongly supported by business interests
. . . . . . a. Taft and Wilson refuse to recognize Huerta’s rule; Wilson is disgusted by dictators who attain position by assassination
. . . . 3. Wilson chooses not to adopt policy of dollar diplomacy and takes policy of “watchful waiting”
. . . . 4. Tells Huerta that US would use influence to force him from power
. . . . . . a. Arms embargo and naval blockade off Veracruz to prevent military supplies getting into Huerta from other countries
. . . . 5. April 9, 1914: unarmed Marines from US goes ashore for supplies at Tampico – arrested but released
. . . . . . a. Wilson orders occupation of Veracruz; real reason is to stop German shipment of arms
. . . . 6. Argentina, Brazil, Chile (ABC powers) suggest arbitration: Wilson agrees and conference held May to June 1914
. . . . . . a. Huerta goes into exile, Carranza (favored by Wilson) recognized as president of Mexico and Marines leave Veracruz in 1914
. . G. Zimmerman note: March 1st 1917
. . . . 1. British intercept German message to Mexico
. . . . . . a. if US goes to war against Germany and Mexico attacks US, Germany promised to give “lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona
IX. The Great Migration
. . A. Between 1916 and 1918, 400,000+ southern black people went north to work in northern factories
. . . . 1. WWI deprived northern industry of European immigrant labor
. . . . 2. Boll weevil killing cotton crops forced a lot of southern farm workers off land
World War I
I. The Cause of War
. . A. The “Lusitania” (May 1915)
. . . . 1. Before “Lusitania” left NY, Imperial German embassy signed notice saying that ships flying British flag in war zone liable to destruction
. . . . 2. “Lusitania”’s cargo was some contraband; Int’l law: ship with contraband is legal target for enemy action
. . . . . . a. “Lusitania” is promptly sunk and kills 128 Americans
. . . . 3. Reactions differed sharply throughout America
. . . . . . a. Congress talked of passing laws forbidding American citizens to travel on ships of belligerents
. . . . . . b. Wilson favored protests and insistence on our rights as neutral
. . . . . . . . i. Sec. of State Bryan resigned saying such a course could only lead to war
. . B. Sussex Pledge Broken (Feb. 1917)
. . . . 1. Aug 19, 1915: 2 US lives lost when British passenger ships torpedoed
. . . . . . a. German ambassadors assures US that liners not be sunk by German submarines w/o warning and w/o safety of lives of noncombatants
. . . . . . b. German gov’t offers indemnity; Wilson’s insistence on US rights as neutral seemed to be bringing results
. . . . 2. March 24, 1916: French passenger liner “Sussex” sunk in English channel
. . . . . . a. President Wilson threatens to break off diplomatic relations unless there was an immediate end to German’s methods
. . . . . . b. Sussex Pledge: Germany promises that it would abide by Wilson’s demands on condition US compel Allies to respect int’l law in naval war
. . . . . . . . i. Leads to small lull from spring 1916 to Feb 1917
. . . . 3. Jan 31, 1917, German ambassador informs breaking of Sussex Pledge
. . . . . . a. US allowed one ship a week to British Isles and 3 a week to Mediterranean ports (big insult)
. . . . 4. Feb 3, US ship is torpedoed and same day, President Wilson announces severed ties between US and Germany
. . C. April 2nd, 1917, Wilson asks Congress for declaration of War. Passes Congress on April 6. US is at War
II. Organizing for War
. . A. Liberty Loans and War Revenue Acts
. . . . 1. Gov’ts policy was to raise 2/3s of war’s cost by borrowing and 1/3 by taxes
. . . . 2. 4 Liberty Loans (bond issues) and after war in 1919, Victory Loan
. . . . . . a. Instead of borrowing in large sums from banks, borrowed as little as $50 from individuals
. . . . . . b. 5 bond issues raised $21billion +
. . . . 3. Most important special war tax was increased taxes on incomes
. . . . . . a. Reached maximum of 65%; Corps. taxes from 20-60% on excess profits
. . . . . . . . i. “excess” – profits above level of corp earned before war in 1911-1913
. . . . . . b. Everything Congress could think of bore a special war tax
. . . . . . c. Income from taxes about $11.25 billion
. . B. Railroads and Ships
. . . . 1. summer of 1916: railroad workers’ unions demanded more pay and shorter hours
. . . . . . a. US couldn’t have railroads not operating during time of war so issues Adamson Act
. . . . . . . . i. gives railroad workers 8-hr day with same pay received for 10-hr day, plus time and half for overtime
. . . . . . . . ii. Gave President power to take over railroads if militarily necessary
. . . . 2. Dec. 12, 1917, President Wilson takes over railroads and places McAdoo as Railroad Administrator
. . . . . . a. enforces system of priorities, discouraged unnecessary traffic, embargoes on nonessential freight, coordinated all roads into war effort
. . . . 3. Esch-Cummins Act of 1920 (aka Transportation Act of 1920) returned railroads to private operation
. . . . . . a. Gov’t convinced that efficiency and economy was promoted through consolidations so put some features into act
. . . . . . . . i. ICC can evaluate railroad property and fix rates that will yield fare returns
. . . . . . . . ii. commission was to work out plan for consolidating railroads into fewer systems in order to improve service
. . . . . . . . iii. railroad labor board set up to settle disputes between labor and management
. . . . 4. End of WWI markes beginning of decline railroads, Depression of 1930 hits railroads hard
. . . . 5. Sept 1916: Congress sets up shipping board of 5 members to get ships any way they could
. . . . . . a. done effectively through Emergency Fleet Corporation: supplied 10million tons of shipping
. . C. War Industries Board
. . . . 1. July 1916: War Industries Board created to supervise all war industries
. . . . . . a. Bernard Baruch was chairman for most of war (czar of indsutry)
. . . . . . . . i. had authority to convert factories to war work, allocate fuel and materials, fix prices, and purchase supplies
. . D. Lever Food and Fuel Act
. . . . 1. Herbert Hoover headed Food Administration:
. . . . . . a. could fix prices on staple foods and do whatever seemed effective to “stimulate and conserve production and control distr. of foods”
. . . . 2. Law prevented use of grain for manufacture of alcoholic beverages; program worked effectively because public cooperated
. . . . 3. Farmers expanded acreage and stepped up production until they were feeding US, much of wartorn Europe, and Allied armed forces
. . . . 4. Harry Garfield was Fuel Administrator
. . . . . . a. powers and responsibilities similar to Hoover for food
. . . . 5. Nonessential factories often shut down so that their fuel supply could be transferred to war plant
III. American Expeditionary Forces in France
. . A. US entered war at peak of submarine offensive; last 6 months found Allies at their lowest point
. . . . 1. arrival of 1st American troops little more than moral boost
. . . . 2. Italian army began to crumble in Oct and collapses and defeated by Germany in December
. . . . 3. Nov. revolution in Russia released huge German forces for use in France
. . B. American troops arrived at accelerating rate and totaled 2,084,000
. . C. General John J. Pershing was in command of Allied Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
IV. The End of the War
. . A. 14 Points (Jan 1918)
. . . . 1. On Jan 8, Wilson addressed Congress to state war aims and peace terms of US
. . . . 2. Some points dealt with territorial adjustments of immediate concern and other principles that Wilson thought should guide int’l relationships
. . . . . . a. Open covenants openly arrived at; self-determination of peoples
. . . . . . b. absolute freedom of seas in peace and war
. . . . . . c. Removal of barriers to int’l trade (tariffs, etc.); reduction of armaments so only a police force to keep domestic order remains
. . . . . . d. General association of nations must be formed; continuing force working to achieve a better world (most important of 14 points)
. . B. Treaty of Versailles
. . . . 1. Oct 24, 1918: President Wilson calls for everyone voting for Democratic Party
. . . . . . a. Only a unified Congress and President could make things work; Republican Congress would “repudiate my leadership”
. . . . . . b. Caused BIG problems: pissed off Republicans making bipartisanship harder, seemed to public that Wilson wanted undue influence
. . . . . . c. Republicans win both houses of Congress
. . . . . . d. Greater criticism: Wilson goes to Peace Conference with 4 advisors with only one Republican and no senators
. . . . 2. Wilson negotiated with Georges Clemenceau (France), David Lloyd George (Great Britain) and Vittorio Orlando (Italy) = Big Four
. . . . . . a. In order to get League of Nations written into treaty, Wilson gave in on some terms neither he nor US approved
. . . . 3. Bulk of Versailles Treaty was Covenant of the League of Nations
. . . . . . a. other terms: forced admission of guilt by Germany for the war, return of Alsace-Lorraine to France; Saar Basin under L.o.N. for 15 yrs
. . . . . . b. German Rhineland demilitarized and German colonies mandated under L.o.N.
. . . . 4. Ratification of Treaty of Versailles with Covenant of League of Nation became of great debate of the campaign of 1920
V. The War Record
. . A. Look back over WWI: Job remarkably well done
. . . . 1. President, Congress, and rest of the US became effective team
. . . . 2. General Pershing proved to be more-than-capable head of the AEF
. . . . 3. Liberty bonds and Elective Service Act raised money and men wisely, effectively, and fairly
. . B. One blot in picture: hysterical behavior of too many ppl encouraged by Attorney General Palmer (Palmer raids)
. . . . 1. Espionage Act, Sedition Act; all things German are rejected, thrown away (books, honorary degrees, students, etc.)
Commentary: I truly wonder what in the world Wilson was thinking when he decided to ask the public to vote for Democrats under the argumentation that only through a Democratic Congress could there be unity. I mean, if you look back to John Adams and the collapse of the Federalist Party early in the history of the Untied States, he would realize that the Federalists dissolved because the public thought they were trying to get undue power within the government. Woodrow Wilson was a professor in history before he became governor and President, so shouldn’t he have considered of that possibility for a second. And if he didn’t due to some lapse in judgment, then was the whole Democratic party fine with what Wilson was saying? Because I am sure that the Republicans capitalized on Wilson’s statement that the Democrats were simply trying to capture Congress. I would most definitely have looked at the Democrats in a different light and this may have changed my opinion of the Democrats. If he had just kept quiet, then it is largely possible that the Democrats could have won the majority in Congress. At the very least, he wouldn’t have alienated Congress and the public opinion of the Democrats. This and other instances within Wilson’s presidency makes me assume that Wilson was not a great President but was just one who had a good record simply because of record.