Student Question
What were the outcomes of Wilson's reform assault on the tariff, banks, and trusts?
Quick answer:
President Wilson's reforms targeted tariffs, banks, and trusts to benefit Americans affected by the Gilded Age. He lowered tariffs through the Underwood-Simmons Tariff, making goods more affordable. The Glass-Owen Federal Reserve Act established a federal banking system to stabilize the economy. His efforts against trusts included revising the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and creating the Federal Trade Commission, though some felt he didn't sufficiently curb big business power. Overall, Wilson's reforms were progressive, especially in economics.
President Wilson attempted to reform the “triple wall of privilege”—the tariff, the banks, and the trusts—in order to increase the quality of life for many Americans. Wilson, as a “progressive” reformer, wanted to help Americans who had been ignored or abused during the Gilded Age (1876–1900) and the Era of Big Business. Wilson, with his ideas of New Nationalism, wanted to increase the size and influence of the federal government in order to help the most Americans in a variety of ways.
Wilson moved quickly regarding the tariff; the Underwood-Simmons Tariff became law in 1913. The tariff lowered the overall average duty (tax) on imported goods from 37 percent to 29 percent. The tariff also lowered duties on many important consumer goods and raw materials. By lowering the import taxes on many goods, more Americans could afford to buy an additional, diverse variety of goods.
Congress also passed the Glass-Owen Federal Reserve Act in 1913, which drastically redistributed the nation’s wealth. The Reserve Act created twelve federally controlled banks across the nation. Smaller banks had the opportunity to join the federal banks by placing some of their money in the larger banks. The larger banks could also help smaller banks restructure their loans, thus financially helping more Americans.
Wilson had campaigned extensively against trusts and monopolies, and he revised the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and created the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in order to combat unfair trade practices and to protect consumers. Congress passed the Clayton Anti-Trust Act in 1914. While Wilson’s administration did combat monopolies, many of Wilson’s contemporary progressives believed that the administration did not do enough to combat the power of big business.
Overall, Wilson did much to combat the “triple wall of privilege” during his tenure in office. Some of Wilson’s efforts did more to help Americans in some respects (with tariffs and the banks) than in others (trust-busting). With regards to economics and business, Wilson was truly a progressive president.
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