Woodrow Wilson

Definition

Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, serving from 1913 to 1921. He was a key figure during the Progressive Era and World War I, shaping both domestic and foreign policy during his tenure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Wilson was a Democrat who championed progressive reforms, such as the establishment of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Trade Commission.
2. During World War I, Wilson led the U.S. into the conflict in 1917, citing the need to 'make the world safe for democracy' and fight against German militarism.
3. After the war, Wilson proposed the Fourteen Points, a plan for a just and lasting peace, and the establishment of the League of Nations.
4. Despite Wilson's efforts, the U.S. Senate ultimately rejected the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, a major disappointment for the president.
5. Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke in 1919, which left him incapacitated for the remainder of his second term, leading to a constitutional crisis.

Review Questions

• Describe Woodrow Wilson's role in the Progressive Era and the key domestic reforms he championed.
  • As president during the Progressive Era, Woodrow Wilson played a significant role in advancing domestic reforms. He supported the establishment of the Federal Reserve to stabilize the banking system, the creation of the Federal Trade Commission to regulate big business, and the passage of the Federal Farm Loan Act to provide credit to farmers. Wilson's progressive agenda also included measures to protect workers, such as the Adamson Act, which mandated an eight-hour workday for railroad employees. Through these and other initiatives, Wilson sought to address the social and economic challenges of the time and position the federal government as a force for positive change.
• Explain Woodrow Wilson's stance on American involvement in World War I and his vision for the post-war international order.
  • Initially, Woodrow Wilson maintained a policy of American neutrality in World War I, believing the U.S. should avoid entanglement in European conflicts. However, as the war progressed and Germany's actions threatened American interests, Wilson eventually led the U.S. to enter the war in 1917. After the war, Wilson proposed the Fourteen Points, a plan for a just and lasting peace that included the establishment of the League of Nations, an international organization designed to promote world peace and security. Wilson's vision for the post-war world order was rooted in his belief in self-determination for nations and the need for open diplomacy and collective security to prevent future conflicts. Despite his efforts, the U.S. Senate ultimately rejected the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, a major disappointment for the president.
• Analyze the impact of Woodrow Wilson's stroke in 1919 and the resulting constitutional crisis during the final years of his presidency.
  • In 1919, Woodrow Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke that left him incapacitated for the remainder of his second term. This led to a constitutional crisis, as Wilson's wife and a small group of advisers effectively took over the duties of the presidency, making key decisions without the president's full participation or oversight. The inability of Wilson to fulfill his duties as president strained the constitutional system, as there was no clear process for addressing the president's incapacity. This crisis highlighted the need for clearer guidelines and procedures to handle such situations, eventually leading to the ratification of the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provided a framework for addressing presidential disability and succession. The Wilson presidency's final years demonstrated the importance of stable and effective leadership, especially during times of national and international upheaval.

Related terms

The Fourteen Points: Wilson's proposal for a post-war peace settlement that included the establishment of the League of Nations, open diplomacy, and self-determination for nations.

The League of Nations: An international organization proposed by Wilson to promote world peace and security, which the United States ultimately failed to join.

Neutrality:

Wilson's initial policy of keeping the United States out of World War I, which eventually gave way to intervention as the U.S. entered the conflict.