New Federal Agencies

The Women's Bureau in 1920

The Women's Bureau was created to be a federal advocate of women labor in the economy. Progressivism has enabled women to come into the spotlight of politics at last, symbolized by the growing legal gains.

The Children's Bureau of 1912

The Children's Bureau was created to be a protector for children forced to take part in the economy. This organization came about mainly due to the fighting efforts of women, hoping to improve their sphere, the home, by making children safer.

Federation Trade Commission of 1914

The Federal Trade Commission was a attack on monoploies and was meant to be the most crippling of them all. Unlawful competition, mislabeling, adulteration, and bribery were all practices that became taboo, punishable by death to your business. This was the last segment of priviledged wall that Wilson hopped as president.

Federal Reserve of 1913

The Federal Reserve Act gave the president the power to appoint a borad to head 12 regional banks across the US. The borad was also given the ability to print paper money to match the need of business and public interests. Wilson's economic law sllowed America to continue throbbing with power throughout the First World War.

Federal Farm Loan Act of 1916

The Federal Farm Loan Act enabled farmers to aquire credit at low interest rates. Wilson passed this legistlation to appease both the progressives and the Populists and to secure their votes in the upcoming election.

16th Amendment
The 16th Amendment allowed the federal government the right to collect an income tax from its citizens as it pleased, although it did start out only as a modest thing. Wislon actively contributed to its legitimacy as he continued his ascendency over the triple wall of priviledge

17th Amendment

The 17th Amendment changed senator election from being private to a pulic matter. This was done as a result of evidence of foul play unearthed by the muckrakers and remained a goal of progressives until it was achieved.

18th Amendment

The 18th Amendment was the prohibition of alcohol. the main driving force behind this change was the activism of women in the public eye, sponsored by the WCTU and the Anti-Saloon league.

19th Amendment

The 19th Amendment finally gave women the right to vote in 1920. By agency of the themselves and progressives in general (with the idea that women would bring some morality to politics), the change occurred.

Protecting Workers

La Folette Seamen's Act of 1915

The La Folette Seamen's Act made mandatory the decent treatment and decent wage earning priviledges of sailors. Unfortunately, shipping rates increased due to this higher standard. Wilson pushed this legistation to become even moreso identifiable as the progressive president.

Worker's Compensation Act of 1915

The Worker's Compensation Act set up a system by which a federal civil servant would receive support if he or she were to become disabled somehow. Again, this was pushed by Wilson the progessive, whose mind was on the upcoming elections.

Anti-Trust

Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890

The Sherman Nti-Trust Act forbade combinations to restrain trade. It was a weak law at first but was later strengthened to increase its effectiveness. This too was meant to only target bad trusts and leave the others intact.

Clayton Anti-Trust Act of 1914

The Clayton Anti-Trust Act strengthened the Sherman list of non-OKed business practices, while making labor and agricultural unions legal. Wilson passed this regulation as part of his plan to scale the triple wall of priviledge for progressives.

Food Safety

Meat Inspection Act of 1906

The Meat Inspection Act allowed for the inspection of meat shipped over state lines by federal inspectors. It arose out of a growing need for consumer protection and to prevent the closing of foreign markets to American meats.

Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906

The Pure Food and Drug Act meant to prevent the adulteration and mislabeling of foods and medicines. This also arose from societal pressures to protect the consumer and imbue a sense of trust in the buyer with regards to purchsing products.

Railroads

Elkins Act of 1903

The Elkins Act sought to fight rebates in the railroads industry towards companies. Heavy fines were set in place to disuade the two from giving or recieving these monetary evils. Teddy Roosevelt pushed this because the economy needed something stronger than the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate trusts.

Hepburn Act of 1906

The Hepburn Act targeted free passes (bribery) among the railroads. It also expanded the ICC to include companies, sleeping car companies, and pipelines. Teddy implemented this act to target the badness, not the bigness, of trusts.

American Exceptionalism in the State of the Union

"What’s more, we are the first nation to be founded for the sake of an idea -– the idea that each of us deserves the chance to shape our own destiny. That’s why centuries of pioneers and immigrants have risked everything to come here. It’s why our students don’t just memorize equations, but answer questions like “What do you think of that idea? What would you change about the world? What do you want to be when you grow up?” "

"We are part of the American family. We believe that in a country where every race and faith and point of view can be found, we are still bound together as one people; that we share common hopes and a common creed; that the dreams of a little girl in Tucson are not so different than those of our own children, and that they all deserve the chance to be fulfilled."

"It’s no secret that those of us here tonight have had our differences over the last two years. The debates have been contentious; we have fought fiercely for our beliefs. And that’s a good thing. That’s what a robust democracy demands. That’s what helps set us apart as a nation."

"What we can do -- what America does better than anyone else -- is spark the creativity and imagination of our people."