The Progressive President: Woodrow Wilson

Wilson initially not progressive because he believed that the president should lead the government and make sure the government followed the will of the people. His time as governor made him progressive when he fought the city bosses and political machines. During his time in office as president, he was in fact progressive because of the social and political changes in society. Wilson was an idealist because of his education and limited experience. Although he was an intelligent man, the public thought of him as cold and distant. Wilson wanted to reduce the tariffs that hurt American businesses and consumers, so he went to the Congress and they agreed to design the Underwood Tariff Bill to reduce import fees. The bill introduced graduated income taxes. In addition, he created the Federal Reserve Act. This act created the Federal Reserve Board which supervised the reserve districts. It also created the Federal Reserve Notes, paper currency that allowed the government to adjust the flow of money. Wilson was the last of the progressive presidents who mostly got the US involved in a European war.