Political History Flashcards
(25 cards)
Who were the four candidates in the 1912 US presidential election?
Wilson (Democrat), Roosevelt (Progressive), Taft (Republican), Debs (Socialist)
Why did Wilson win the 1912 election?
Republican vote split between Taft and Roosevelt; Wilson gained 435 electoral votes and 41.8% of the popular vote.
What did Roosevelt’s “New Nationalism” include?
Regulation of monopolies, end child labour, women’s suffrage, direct senator elections, and tariff reductions.
What did Wilson’s “New Freedom” propose?
Favoured small businesses, opposed monopolies, and tackled the “Triple Wall of Privilege” (banks, trusts, tariffs).
What was the Federal Reserve Act (1913)?
Created the first central banking system; 12 banking districts supervised by a Federal Reserve Board.
What did Wilson’s “New Freedom” propose?
Favoured small businesses, opposed monopolies, and tackled the “Triple Wall of Privilege” (banks, trusts, tariffs).
What powers did the Federal Reserve have?
Control of money supply; could adjust rates to manage inflation/deflation.
What was the Federal Trade Commission (1914)?
Investigated unfair corporate practices (although ‘unfair’ was undefined).
What did the Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914) do?
Strengthened Sherman Act; banned monopolistic practices and protected union activities.
What was the Underwood Tariff (1913)?
Reduced tariffs significantly and introduced federal income tax to compensate for lost revenue.
What was the Revenue Act of 1916?
Expanded income tax and taxed business profits and estates, helping fund government revenue.
What did the Federal Child Labor Act (1916) aim to do?
Barred child-made goods in interstate commerce; later ruled unconstitutional.
What was the Workmen’s Compensation Act (1916)?
Provided federal workers with compensation for work-related injury/illness.
How did Wilson respond to labour disputes like Ludlow (1913)?
Sent federal troops after a massacre; showed little support for unions.
What was Wilson’s record on race?
Disappointed progressives; re-segregated federal offices and opposed anti-lynching laws.
What helped Wilson win re-election in 1916?
He ran as a moderate and used the slogan “He kept us out of war.”
What dominated Wilson’s second term?
U.S. entry into WW1 and government control of economy and labour.
Was Wilson’s presidency considered progressive?
Yes, due to economic reforms and anti-trust laws — but he did little on welfare or civil rights.
What caused the First Red Scare?
Bolshevik Revolution (1917), fear of communism, and rise in strikes and bombings.
What was the Sedition Act (1918)?
Banned anti-war speech; over 1,500 were prosecuted.
many opposed the erosion of civil liberties however the strong public opinion was anti-immigrant and patriotic
Who led the Palmer Raids?
Attorney General Mitchell Palmer and a young J. Edgar Hoover.
What happened in the Palmer Raids?
249 radicals deported; Communist offices closed in 33 cities.
documents were seized and suspects arrested
How did the Red Scare end in 1920?
Palmer’s predicted May Day revolution failed; public support declined.
what was the Boston police strike 1919
wave of strikes involving more than 4 million workers, 75% of Boston police force went on strike ( mostly irish americans )
