The Progressive Era began in 1890 and continued until 1920. Progressivism touched every aspect of the Unite States. Starting on the local level and working its way through State, Federal and even internationally. Progressivism helped to set standards to regulate business and education. Progressive is a term that was applied to the different responses to social and economic problems during that time. Progressive Era began as a social movement and then turned into a political movement. Most people who were involved in this movement believed that problem that included poverty, violence, racism, class warfare would be best taken care of by providing good education, a safe environment, and an efficient workplace.
During Woodrow Wilson’s first bid for the Presidency he ran as a Democrat against Howard William Taft a Republican and Theodor Roosevelt a Bull Moose (Progressive). Wilson would run under the belief of New Freedom, in which was sort of Progressive promoting business completion and small government. Woodrow Wilson would win the Presidency in 1912 due to the Republicans being split between Taft and Roosevelt. During Wilson’s first term as President he would start out with Progressive works, but not follow continue with the Progressive views and ideas.
Wilson appears to be a Progressive and would be the first President since John Adams to go before Congress to lower tariffs. He wanted to lower the tariffs to bring new competition into the Country. During this time he will be responsible for the 1913 Federal Reserve Act and the 1914 Clayton Antitrust Act. After Wilson sets those major things in motion he would then no longer follow the Progressive ideals. Wilson would then switch to Concretive views. He would then go against minimum wage, refused long term credit for farmers; he believed child labor laws were unconstitutional, against Women’s Suffrage, and many thought he was racist. All of those went against what the Progressive stood for.
Toward the end of his first term in 1916 the economy took a downward turn and things were looking bad for his reelection. Wilson’s views would then turn back to the Progressive. As Wilson sought reelection he appointed a Jew named Justice Brandis to the U.S. Supreme Court, he started issuing money and credit to farmers, he appoints a laborer named William Wilson of the UMWA head up the Department of Labor, 1916 supports the Adamson Act (8 hour work days for Railroad workers), Federal Workers Compensation Act, and he supports the Keating-Owens Act (child labor) and the Women’s Suffrage. All of these following what the Progressive idea stood for.
During his campaign in 1916 for his second term he would run on the ideal of Progressive and Peace. He would barely win reelection. Even though Wilson campaigned on peace he was secretly preparing for war. In 1915 Wilson would warn Germany that any American lives lost during their conflict with Europe it would be their responsibility. Not long after a ship called the Lusitania would be stuck by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland causing 1,200 including 128 American to lose their lives. After the sinking of the Lusitania there was a lot of back and forth resulting in Germany agreeing not to sink any more passenger ships. 1915 a U-boat would attack another British liner causing the death of two more Americans. Germany would respond again with the Arabic Pledge, vowing not to fire on any more ships without warning the passengers first. Wilson declares neutrality; staying out of the war. Wilson says it’s not our war and it goes against Progresses ideal but continues to prepare for war.
In 1916 Germany presses to end the war in Europe and begins picking up U-boat attacks. Wilson moves toward a more aggressive ideal ology and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryant resigns. Wilson welcomes new Secretary of State Robert Lancing, who shares the same views as Wilson. Meanwhile Germany persuades Mexico to start conflict with the United States to keep them out of the European war. After dealing with Mexico Wilson asks the Senate to arm all ships and is denied. Wilson arms the vessels anyway and orders the Navy to attack any submarine where it is encountered. The United States loses five ships. April 1, 1917 Wilson asks the Senate for Declaration of War against Germany and their allies; after debating for four days Senate gives Wilson his Declaration of war. October 6, 1918 Germany sues for peace and November 11, 1918 peace was recognized.
On the Homefront during the war Wilson continued his agenda creating 5,000 agencies throughout the government including the Committee for Public Information, Anti-German movements including the Trading with the Enemy Act , created the War Industries Board, Food Administration, Fuel Administration, and the War Labor board fighting for equal pay for women in war industries. After the war the United States was the dominate nation. When Wilson goes to Europe to conclude the war he purposes the 14 Points. Soon after Wilson suffers a stroke and Progressivism seem to die along with him.
In my opinion and based on the information given I think that Woodrow Wilson was just a sly politician. He favored any view or ideal that helped him to get what he wanted. Most of his decisions were based on beliefs and views that were not standard to Progressive Ideal ology.
