9.5 Woodrow Wilson’s New
Freedom
Wilson’s Financial Reform
• Clayton Antitrust Act made two big changes:
– Monopolies (not just trusts) were now illegal
– Workers’ unions would not be attacked as “trusts”
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was created
to keep an eye on shady business practices
• He also pushed Congress to lower tariffs
– 16th Amendment’s progressive income tax would
make up for the lost tariff revenue for the govt.
Wilson’s Financial Reforms
• He also pushed Congress to lower tariffs
– 16th Amendment’s progressive income tax
would make up for the lost tariff revenue for the
govt.
Wilson’s Financial Reforms
• The Federal Reserve System, created in
1913, was a central bank system that would
loan money to other banks
– The “Fed” can control the money supply in
circulation
Woman’s Suffrage Renewed
• Under Carrie Chapman Catt, the NAWSA
renewed the fight for woman’s suffrage
– From 1917-1918 the govt. was focused on WWI,
but women continued to organize and argue for
the right to vote
• The 19th Amendment was finally ratified in
1919. (easy to remember, right?)
Progressivism Fades Away
• Wilson’s Southern background led to have a
very weak view of black rights
– NAACP leaders felt he had betrayed black voters
who had supported Wilson’s election.