For now his blog is focused on the origins of the Progressive movement in the United States. See earlier posts on the early progressives and Theodore Roosevelt as the first progressive president. My latest post focused on progressive reforms done by Woodrow Wilson during his first term as president. Wilson won his second term on the basis that he was able to keep the United States out of World War I, which began during 1914. This was even after the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 which resulted in the deaths of 128 American citizens.
Wilson and his secretary of state, Bryan, were professed pacifists and worked very hard during their first term and the beginnings of their second term to remain a neutral nation in the conflict in Europe. Many Americans had a soft spot for the Allies (England and France) because of their Anglo ancestry. American businesses profited from the neutrality because they could sell goods to both the Allies and Central Powers (Germany, et al.). Even when shipments destined to Germany were intercepted by the British, the British government would reimburse American companies for the value of the cargo that was confiscated.
The Wilson administration began to realize that the United States may eventually be drawn into the conflict because of the leanings of the populace toward the Allied forces and the fact that Germany realized it. Like a good Boy Scout, Wilson wanted to be prepared, so he passed two items of legislation. The National Defense Act of 1916 which was designed to beef up the army and the national guard. This law needed to be passed in their opinion because the arsenal of the nation was becoming old and outdated and according to the Constitution the military could only be funded for two years.
Another policy that was more progressive in scope was the Council of National Defense. This was a council formed by six Cabinet officers and seven civilians who were to coordinate industry and national defense. This goes back to the ideal where progressives believed that an economy needs to be a well oiled machine that is controlled by the government and big business.
After an increase in violence against American shipping to Europe on the part of Germany, Wilson finally broke down and requested a declaration of war from Congress. Support for the war was brought about by anti-German propaganda that depicted the Germans as murderers. Also the American media ignored the culpability of the Americans in supplying the Allied forces with items that killed Germans. Also, slogans that stated, "England's defeat our defeat" filled the newspapers.
After the entry of the United States into the war, Wilson was trying to find a way to broker peace. He made a speech on January 8, 1918 that outlined fourteen points that would guide a peace settlement. This is very progressive in nature in that one person or nation should outline how the rest of the world should conduct their business. A paraphrased list follows.
1. No secret deals between countries.
2. Freedom of the seas in international waters.
3. Equal trade conditions among all nations.
4. Reduction of armaments to a level only for domestic defense.
5. Impartial adjustment of colonial claims.
6. Evacuation of Germans from Russia, allow Russia to determine its own domestic policy (Communism), and allow Russia into the society of free nations (a wee bit hypocritical).
7. Evacuation of Germans from Belgium.
8. Evacuation of Germans from France.
9. Readjust Italy's borders to prewar borders.
10. Limited self-government of Austria-Hungary.
11. Evacuation of Germans from Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro, and guaranteed Balkan independence.
12. Independence for Turkey and self-government for other nations under Turkish rule.
13. Independence for Poland.
14. A formation of an organization like the League of Nations or United Nations.
The Fourteen Points were well received by people in Italy and Poland. Republicans and the Allies were not quite so receptive.
Other progressive policies were the War Industries Board, the National War Labor Board, War Trade Board; Fuel Administration; Food Administration; Shipping Board; Emergency Fleet Corporation; increases in the income tax, corporation tax, excess profits tax, and luxury taxes; Committee on Public Information; Espionage Act of 1917; Sedition Act of 1918; and the draft. These policies worked toward regulating industry toward the war effort whether individual industries wanted to support the war effort or not. The increase in taxation forced individuals to give money toward the war effort whether they wanted to or not. At least the sale of bonds gave people the freedom to choose where their money went. The Espionage and Sedition Acts put limits on freedom of speech to where if an individual spoke out against the war, he or she could be arrested. Performances of German composers were also forbidden. The draft forced individuals who may not have supported the war to fight in the war.
This period of history leaves some interesting questions. Would the war have gone on much longer if the United States had not become involved? Were government regulations needed to manage big businesses who were already profiting from selling arms and supplies to the Allied forces? Should any nation's shipping really expect to be left alone on international waters when they are delivering arms in support of nations involved in a known armed conflict? Is individual freedom really less important than the desires of a government waging a war that is not supported by some people in a country? Should the United States wavered from traditional neutrality that was recommended by its founders?
As a mamma grizzly I look back and say that Wilson was a globalist progressive that wanted the Soviet Union to be successful (look back at the fourteen points). Individual freedom was not important to him (look back at his progressive policies). Our nation never returned to pre-war ideals. The propaganda machine of the Committee on Public Information assured this.
We as a nation need to look back at what this nation was like before Wilson. We need to value individual freedom. We need representation in Congress that will look at the freedom of the individual for guidance, not the tyranny of the majority or the minority in many cases. Our freedoms have been eroded. Many lawmakers look to the precedents set forth by Wilson as a basis for their usurpations. We as a people need to go back to reading the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution for guidance, not what is popular.
If anyone reading this has any questions or elaboration, please leave me a comment, and I will make every attempt to give a prompt response. God bless.
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