Woodrow Wilson: A Complex Legacy Of Leadership And Controversy (1856-1924)

Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, is a figure whose life and leadership encapsulate the complexities of American history. His presidency from 1913 to 1921 was marked by significant achievements, including guiding the nation through World War I and advocating for the League of Nations. Yet, his legacy is marred by his policies on race and civil rights, which reflect the tensions of his time.

Born into a world shaped by the Civil War, Wilson's early experiences informed his later policies and philosophies. As a dedicated academic and politician, he quickly rose through the ranks, serving as Governor of New Jersey before his election to the presidency. His dual focus on reforming domestic policies and promoting international peace shows the breadth of his ambitions, but also highlights the contradictions in his leadership.

Wilson’s contributions to social reforms, especially his support for women’s suffrage, are notable. However, his presidency also revealed deep-seated racial prejudices, which complicate his legacy. Understanding Wilson’s life requires a nuanced exploration of both his accomplishments and his failures, providing insight into the broader narrative of American history.

Who Was Woodrow Wilson?
Early Life
Academic Career
Woodrow Wilson Presidency
Women’s Suffrage
Economic Reforms
World War I
Fourteen Points
Record on Racism
Personal Life
Death
Quick Facts
Fact Check
Citation Information
Quotes

Who Was Woodrow Wilson?

Woodrow Wilson was an academic and politician who served as the two-term 28th president of the United States from 1913 to 1921. Wilson spent his youth in the South observing the Civil War and its aftermath. A dedicated scholar and enthusiastic orator, he earned multiple degrees before embarking on a university career. In a fast rise politically, he spent two years as governor of New Jersey before being elected in 1912 to the presidency of the United States.

As president, Wilson saw America through World War I, negotiating the Treaty of Versailles and crafting the League of Nations, a precursor to the United Nations. His legacy includes sweeping reforms for the middle class, voting rights for women, and precepts for world peace. However, Wilson is also known for a dismal record on race relations. During the last year of his presidency, Wilson suffered his second stroke and died three years after leaving office.

Early Life

Wilson was born on December 28, 1856, to Jessie Janet Woodrow and Joseph Ruggles Wilson, a Presbyterian minister. Tommy, as Wilson was called in his youth, was the third of four children. A warm, studious, and devout household, the family lived all over the South, moving from Staunton, Virginia, to Augusta, Georgia, in Wilson's first year. In 1870, they moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where Wilson’s father taught at the Columbia Theological Seminary.

Living in the South and witnessing the ravages of the Civil War up close, Wilson's father, a Northern transplant, adopted the Confederate cause. Wilson's mother nursed wounded soldiers during the conflict. After the war, Wilson saw Confederate president Jefferson Davis march through Augusta in chains and always remembered looking up into the face of the defeated General Robert E. Lee.

Academic Career

Wilson was appointed to teach at Bryn Mawr and Wesleyan. He achieved his dream job, a professorship at Princeton, in 1890. In 1902, he became the university's 13th president. It was largely due to Wilson's efforts that the College of New Jersey evolved into the prestigious Princeton University. In addition to a focus on innovative curriculum upgrades, he was often voted the most popular teacher on campus, renowned for his caring demeanor and high ideals.

A scrupulous scholar, Wilson’s books include a biography of George Washington and the five-volume History of the American People. Political ambitions and university politics had transformed Wilson into a social Democrat, and he was tapped for the governorship of New Jersey in 1910. A determined reformer, his successes made him the darling of Progressives preceding his election to the presidency in 1912.

Woodrow Wilson Presidency

Wilson was the 28th president of the United States, serving two terms from 1913 to 1921. Wilson was nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate on the New Freedom platform in 1912, opposing Republican incumbent William Howard Taft. However, Theodore Roosevelt, Taft's predecessor, was disgruntled with his performance as president and launched a third-party run. This split the Republican vote, ensuring Wilson's win. He was inaugurated on March 4, 1913.

During his presidency, Wilson faced numerous challenges, including the onset of World War I in Europe. His initial stance of neutrality was tested as he navigated the complexities of international politics. Ultimately, he requested Congress to declare war in 1917, emphasizing the need to protect democracy globally, which he believed was under threat.

Women’s Suffrage

The new president entered the White House just as the women’s suffrage movement was gaining full steam. Though Wilson was initially “lukewarm” towards a women’s right to vote, historians generally agree that his views of suffrage evolved and he eventually supported the cause. In 1917, a group of suffragists picketed outside the White House demanding Wilson’s support.

The group was peaceful but soon turned violent, with many protesters arrested and thrown in jail. At first, Wilson was outraged by the women’s conduct, but he was appalled to learn that some had gone on a hunger strike and were being force-fed by the police. In a speech before the Senate in January 1918, Wilson publicly endorsed a woman’s right to vote.

Economic Reforms

Wilson’s New Freedom platform favored small businesses and farmers, and he went after what he termed the "Triple Wall of Privilege." In 1913, he signed the Underwood-Simmons Act, which reduced tax rates that had previously favored industrialists over small businesses. He also approved the Federal Reserve Act, making loans more accessible to the average American.

He further enforced anti-trust legislation in 1914 with the Clayton Antitrust Act, which supported labor unions, allowing for strikes, boycotts, and peaceful picketing. These reforms were aimed at leveling the playing field for all Americans and addressing the economic inequalities that persisted in society.

World War I

At the outbreak of World War I in Europe on July 26, 1914, Wilson declared America neutral, believing that "to fight, you must be brutal and ruthless, and the spirit of ruthless brutality will enter into the very fiber of our national life." This produced a campaign slogan for his second-term election: "He kept us out of war." Wilson tried to dispense a peace protocol to Great Britain along with the money and munitions they asked for but was rebuffed.

He finally asked Congress to declare war in April 1917, when Germany repeatedly ignored U.S. neutrality and sunk American ships. When the war was over, nearly a year and a half later, Americans were perceived as heroes. The "Great War" was also meant to be the last war, prompting Wilson to advocate for a lasting peace settlement.

Fourteen Points

Wilson proposed the "Fourteen Points" as the basis for the peace treaty at Versailles, with the last point being the creation of a League of Nations to ensure world peace. While adopted by Europe, Congress did not approve of the United States joining the League of Nations. Wilson toured the nation in an effort to increase public support for the League.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1920 for his efforts. Wilson believed that fostering international cooperation was essential in preventing future conflicts and wars, marking a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy.