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The NAACP
The NAACP, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an affect of the Niagra Movement, was founded by Booker T. Washington. The aim of the NAACP was to use of courts to achieve political rights for African Americans. -
Antitrust Suit Against U.S. Steel
The U.S. Steel Company by J.P. Morgan controlled 80% of all production within the United States. President Taft argued that the company should be destroyed while his predecessor former president, Roosevelt, condemned the case. The case lead to the pursuit of Roosevelt's re-election. -
The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
Years before at the exact same factory, 20,000 workers went on strike due to poor condition. The fire showed that the requests of the women in the factory were not heard parralleling that of women during the era. -
Election of 1912
Woodrow Wilson Campaign Speech- New Freedom - TariffRoosevelt Campaign Speech - progressive view on corruptionFormer president, Theodore Roosevelt, decided to run for a second term as a member of the progressive party. His platform called for a New Nationalism. President Taft also ran but as a conservative Republican. Woodrow Wilson ran as the Democrat pledging for New Freedom. Due to the split between Roosevelt and Taft, Wilson won the election with flying colors.Eugene V. Debs also ran representing the socialist party, but never go more than 6 %. -
Women's Suffragist March on DC
Hundreds of women and men on the day before the inauguration of Woodrow Wilson marched for female suffrage. The march showed that the advantages of the progressive movement were not shared with entire community. -
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Clayton Anti-Trust Act
The act outlawed unfair trade such as price discrimination and conflict of interests in regard of boards. -
Invasion of Mexico
President Wilson sent 800 marines to Veracruz Mexico after having conflicting views with the new Mexican president, General Victoriano Huerta. The US troops blockaded a port restricting the shipment of armed weapons to Huerta. This was the first time the US invaded Mexican territory since the Mexican American War. -
Federal Reserve Act
The act established a national banking system of banks owned by private bankers. The Act created 12 district banks regulated by the Federal Reserve Board and gave the government a greater amount of control in the economy. -
The Keating-Owen Child Labor Law
This law outlawed the employment of children younger than sixteen which decreased child labor. The court case continued further into 1916 but was deemed unconstitutional in 1918. The act did not extend to intrastate companies leading to the unconstitutionality of the labor law. -
The Election of 1916
In 1916, Woodrow Wilson ran for a second congressional term against Republican Charles Evans Hughes. Wilson’s campaign slogan at the time was “he kept us out of the war.” Although Wilson won the election, he won with the small majority of only 23 electoral votes greater than Hughes. -
National Woman's Party
Alice Paul created the National Women’s Party that advocated for the suffrage of women in the US. Paul felt that direct action in marches and civil disobedience would cause greater support for the women’s suffrage. -
Opening of the 1st Birth Control Clinic
Margaret Sanger promoted birth control as a base for social and political reforms. Sanger’s birth control theory was considered radical by US government and the clinic was shut down only 10 days after its opening. The birth control clinic along with Sanger’s ideals showed that women of the nation were beginning to take control of their bodies as well as their political futures. -
Zimmerman Telegraph Interception
Arthur Zimmerman, foreign secretary of Germany, wrote the Zimmerman Telegraph to the German minister in Mexico. The telegraph stated that in exchange for declaration of war on the US, Mexico would receive American territories (New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona). Wilson outraged by the telegraph called for the “armed neutrality” permitting retaliation against aggressors. The telegraph contributed to the United States intervention into WWI. -
Espionage Act, Sedition Act
Espionage Act of 1917 imprisoned anyone who criticized the draft or the military up to 20 years. Sedition Act punished anyone who was disloyal or abusive towards the U.S. government. These vague provisions prosecuted around 2000 people. In the case of Schenck vs. United States, the constitutionality of the Espionage Act was upheld by handing out pamphlets which condem the draft was clear and present danger to society. -
Declaration of War
In March, the German army sank five of the US marine ships killing over 60 American citizens, As an immediate result, President Wilson called for declaration of war. Four days later, the United States congress permitted intervention. -
Committee on Public Information
The Committee on Public Information established nationalism for the American public. A few short weeks after the US declared war on Germany, President Wilson placed George Creel in control of the committee. The corporation promoted the success of battles in Europe creating a sense of pride. -
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Wilson: Controling the Public
During World War I, President Wilson encouraged the public to support the war by creating the Committee of Public Information. Although he encourage support towards June 1917, he began to force the public to endorse the war through laws. The Espionage Act (June 1917), Trading with the Enemy Act (October 1917), and Sedition Act (May 1918) authorized government punishment of any individuals that demoralized the US' involvement in the war. -
East St. Louis Race Riots
During the Progressive Era, thousands of blacks migrated north in search of better lives for their families. Although the north was not known for racial persecution, the north was not free from prejuidice. In July 1917, a mob of whites stormed into a majority black district in east St. Louis, Illinios. The mob murdered at least 40 people and destroyed the remainings of the area. The riot showed the animosity of blacks migrating north. -
Fourteen Points Speech
On January 8, 1918, President Wilson conducted a publicized speech calling for democracy for all. During the speech, Wilson spoke of freedom of trade, reduction of weapons of war, freedom of the seas, no economic barriers, and an end to trusts. He also depicted his vision of a Leaguge of Nations that established "integrity to great and small states alike." Wilson's speech furthered the influence of the US as a world power and established more democratic ideals throughout the world.
