APUSH: Period 7, 1890-1945 - Woodrow Wilson and the New Freedom

Why This Matters

Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom is a pivotal moment in American history, marking a significant shift in the nation's economic and social policies. As the 28th President of the United States, Wilson's progressive agenda aimed to address the growing wealth gap and industrialization's negative consequences. His New Freedom policies, implemented between 1913 and 1917, demonstrate the ongoing struggle between capitalism and social welfare, a central theme in AP US History. By examining Wilson's New Freedom, students can understand the complexities of American identity, the role of government in regulating the economy, and the ongoing debate between individualism and collectivism.

Key Events & People

• Woodrow Wilson: Elected as the 28th President of the United States in 1912, Wilson's progressive agenda aimed to address the growing wealth gap and industrialization's negative consequences.
• Federal Reserve Act (1913): Established the Federal Reserve System, a central banking system that regulates the nation's monetary policy and provides liquidity to the banking system.
• Underwood Tariff Act (1913): Reduced tariffs on imported goods, benefiting consumers and increasing international trade.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act (1914): Created an independent agency to regulate business practices and prevent monopolies.
• Clayton Antitrust Act (1914): Strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act by clarifying the definition of monopolies and providing more tools for the government to break them up.
• Adamson Act (1916): Established an eight-hour workday for railroad workers, setting a precedent for labor reform.
• Federal Farm Loan Act (1916): Provided low-interest loans to farmers, helping them to purchase land and equipment.
• New Freedom Speech (1912): Wilson's speech outlining his progressive agenda, which included reducing tariffs, regulating business, and promoting labor reform.
• Louis Brandeis: A key advisor to Wilson, Brandeis advocated for labor reform and the regulation of big business.
• Joseph Tumulty: Wilson's close advisor and confidant, Tumulty played a crucial role in shaping Wilson's progressive policies.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The growing wealth gap and industrialization's negative consequences in the early 20th century.
• Effect: The rise of progressive politics and the implementation of the New Freedom policies.

• Long-term consequence: The establishment of a more regulatory government and the expansion of social welfare programs.

• Cause: The Federal Reserve Act's creation of a central banking system.

• Effect: The stabilization of the national economy and the regulation of the money supply.

• Long-term consequence: The Federal Reserve's continued influence on the nation's monetary policy.

• Cause: The Clayton Antitrust Act's strengthening of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

• Effect: The increased regulation of big business and the prevention of monopolies.
• Long-term consequence: The continued regulation of business practices and the promotion of competition.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Progressivism*: A political movement that aimed to address the growing wealth gap and industrialization's negative consequences through government regulation and social welfare programs.
• *New Freedom*: Wilson's progressive agenda, which included reducing tariffs, regulating business, and promoting labor reform.
• *Federal Reserve System*: A central banking system that regulates the nation's monetary policy and provides liquidity to the banking system.
• *Underwood Tariff Act*: A law that reduced tariffs on imported goods, benefiting consumers and increasing international trade.
• *Clayton Antitrust Act*: A law that strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act by clarifying the definition of monopolies and providing more tools for the government to break them up.
• *Federal Trade Commission (FTC)*: An independent agency that regulates business practices and prevents monopolies.
• *Adamson Act*: A law that established an eight-hour workday for railroad workers, setting a precedent for labor reform.
• *Federal Farm Loan Act*: A law that provided low-interest loans to farmers, helping them to purchase land and equipment.
• *Regulatory government*: A government that plays a more active role in regulating the economy and promoting social welfare programs.
• *Social welfare programs*: Government programs that aim to address the needs of citizens, such as education, healthcare, and labor reform.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Federal Reserve Act was created in 1914, not 1913.
• Correction: The Federal Reserve Act was created in 1913, as part of Wilson's New Freedom policies.
• What students often get wrong: The Clayton Antitrust Act was the first major antitrust law.
• Correction: The Sherman Antitrust Act was the first major antitrust law, and the Clayton Antitrust Act strengthened it.
• What students often get wrong: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was created in 1916.
• Correction: The FTC was created in 1914, as part of Wilson's New Freedom policies.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the impact of the New Freedom policies on the American economy and society. Be sure to include specific examples from the Federal Reserve Act, the Underwood Tariff Act, and the Clayton Antitrust Act.
  • Specific evidence: The Federal Reserve Act's creation of a central banking system, the Underwood Tariff Act's reduction of tariffs, and the Clayton Antitrust Act's strengthening of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the role of Woodrow Wilson in shaping the New Freedom policies. Be sure to include specific examples from his speeches and advisors.
  • Specific evidence: Wilson's New Freedom Speech, his advisors Louis Brandeis and Joseph Tumulty, and his support for labor reform.
• Possible essay prompt: Compare and contrast the New Freedom policies with the Progressive Era's other major reforms. Be sure to include specific examples from the Federal Farm Loan Act and the Adamson Act.
  • Specific evidence: The Federal Farm Loan Act's provision of low-interest loans to farmers and the Adamson Act's establishment of an eight-hour workday for railroad workers.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the main goal of the New Freedom policies?
   • Correct answer: To address the growing wealth gap and industrialization's negative consequences.
   • Explanation: The New Freedom policies aimed to promote economic growth and social welfare by regulating business and promoting labor reform.
2. Which act established the Federal Reserve System?
   • Correct answer: The Federal Reserve Act (1913).
   • Explanation: The Federal Reserve Act created a central banking system that regulates the nation's monetary policy and provides liquidity to the banking system.
3. What was the main purpose of the Clayton Antitrust Act?
   • Correct answer: To strengthen the Sherman Antitrust Act by clarifying the definition of monopolies and providing more tools for the government to break them up.
   • Explanation: The Clayton Antitrust Act aimed to prevent monopolies and promote competition by regulating business practices.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The New Freedom policies were implemented between 1913 and 1917.
• The Federal Reserve Act created a central banking system that regulates the nation's monetary policy and provides liquidity to the banking system.
• The Underwood Tariff Act reduced tariffs on imported goods, benefiting consumers and increasing international trade.
• The Clayton Antitrust Act strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act by clarifying the definition of monopolies and providing more tools for the government to break them up.
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates business practices and prevents monopolies.
• The Adamson Act established an eight-hour workday for railroad workers, setting a precedent for labor reform.
• The Federal Farm Loan Act provided low-interest loans to farmers, helping them to purchase land and equipment.
• Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom Speech outlined his progressive agenda, which included reducing tariffs, regulating business, and promoting labor reform.
• Louis Brandeis was a key advisor to Wilson, advocating for labor reform and the regulation of big business.
• Joseph Tumulty was Wilson's close advisor and confidant, playing a crucial role in shaping Wilson's progressive policies.