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Woodrow Wilson

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Woodrow Wilson was the 28th president of the United States.

Presidentwoodrowwilson
Presidentwoodrowwilson

He served from 1913 to 1921. Wilson was born in Staunton, Virginia, in 1856. He grew up in the South during the Civil War. His father, Joseph, was a Presbyterian pastor.

Woodrow Wilson by Pach Bros c1875
Woodrow Wilson by Pach Bros c1875

His family lived in Georgia and South Carolina. Wilson was the first Southerner to win the presidency since 1848. He was also the only Democrat president during the Progressive Era.

Before leading the country, Wilson spent many years in school. He studied at the College of New Jersey, which is now Princeton University. He later went to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. There, he earned a Ph.D. in history and government.

Woodrow Wilson 1902 cph.3b11773
Woodrow Wilson 1902 cph.3b11773

This makes him the only U.S. president to have a Ph.D. He taught at Bryn Mawr College and Wesleyan University. He also served as the president of Princeton University.

Princeton University Prospect
Princeton University Prospect

In 1887, he wrote an important article about public administration.

Wilson entered politics after working in education. He served as the governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913. In the 1912 election, he won against William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt.

ElectoralCollege1912
ElectoralCollege1912

As president, he focused on a plan called the New Freedom. He helped pass the Revenue Act of 1913 to start the income tax. He also helped create the Federal Reserve System.

Federal Reserve Districts Map - Banks & Branches
Federal Reserve Districts Map - Banks & Branches

However, his time in office also included difficult choices. He authorized racial segregation in the federal government. He also faced protests because he opposed women's suffrage.

World War I changed much of Wilson's presidency. In 1914, the war began in Europe. At first, the U.S. stayed neutral to try to keep peace.

World 1914 empires colonies territory
World 1914 empires colonies territory

In April 1917, Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. This happened after German submarines sank American merchant ships. Wilson created a plan called the Fourteen Points to help end the war.

Big four
Big four

He also helped create the League of Nations at the Paris Peace Conference. He wanted this group to help many nations work together for peace.

Life became very hard for Wilson after the war. In October 1919, he had a stroke.

Wilson funeral, 2-6-24 LOC npcc.10360
Wilson funeral, 2-6-24 LOC npcc.10360

This left him unable to make big decisions for the country. He died in February 1924 at the age of 67.

Today, historians have many different views on his work. Some praise his work on the economy and the League of Nations. Others criticize him for his views on race and segregation. He remains a very important figure in American history.

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🖼️ Images & Media (33)
File:Woodrow Wilson by Pach Bros c1875.jpg
Woodrow Wilson by Pach Bros c1875.jpg
File:ELWilson.jpg
ELWilson.jpg
File:Woodrow Wilson 1902 cph.3b11773.jpg
Woodrow Wilson 1902 cph.3b11773.jpg
File:Princeton University Prospect.jpg
Princeton University Prospect.jpg
File:Woodrow Wilson, New Jersey Governor - 1911.jpg
Woodrow Wilson, New Jersey Governor - 1911.jpg
File:ElectoralCollege1912.svg
ElectoralCollege1912.svg
File:WILSON, WOODROW. WITH CABINET LCCN2016858384 (restored).jpg
WILSON, WOODROW. WITH CABINET...
File:CONGRESS, U.S. OPENING MESSAGE, 63RD CONGRESS.jpg
CONGRESS, U.S. OPENING MESSAGE, 63RD CONGRESS.jpg
File:Federal Reserve Districts Map - Banks & Branches.png
Federal Reserve Districts Map - Banks &...
File:Woodrow Wilson Priming the Prosperity Pump, 1914 political cartoon by Berryman.jpg
Woodrow Wilson Priming the Prosperity...
File:Presidentwoodrowwilson.jpeg
Presidentwoodrowwilson.jpeg
File:VillaUncleSamBerrymanCartoon.png
VillaUncleSamBerrymanCartoon.png

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