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Presidential Term #1, pre WW1
The Democrat campaigned under “liberal reform,” made progressive reforms such as, the Underwood-Simmons Act, The Federal Trade Commission, and passed legislation for the Federal Reserve. Another major progressive change was in 1916 when he nominated the first Jewish person into the US Supreme Court. -
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Presidential Term #1, WW1
Wilson's presidential philosophy to keep with our forefathers’ intent to stay out of foreign affairs, wanted nothing to do with the war. During this time, a passenger ship called the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine, killing 128 Americans. He warned Germany that future, unwarranted attacks would send the message that they are “deliberately unfriendly,” yet still had no intent to engage in war against them. -
Presidential Campaign #2
Woodrow Wilson promised to stay out of the war which influenced his popularity during the campaign. His slogan was that “he kept us out of war.” Wilson and his Vice President Thomas Marshall ran against the Republican candidate Charles Evan Hughes whose Vice President was the same as Roosevelt’s previous, Charles Fairbanks. Wilson nearly lost the election as he only won by a narrow margin in both the Electoral and Popular vote. -
Presidential Term #2
In 1916, the war raged on overseas. Wilson kept his stance on peace, still advocating for the United States’ neutrality and the universal agreement of peace. Unfortunately, the US was not a world power just yet, so he had little to no influence in Europe. -
Decision to enter into WW1
The Zimmerman Telegram was intercepted in 1917. In the telegram, Germany was to convince Mexico to join sides with them by promising to reclaim Mexican territory in the United States. Unwarranted German submarine attacks persisted, so Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. His stance was “we must make the world safe for democracy.” -
Fourteen Points Speech
Wilson's goal for the world “be made fit and safe to live in; and particularly that it be made safe for every peace-loving nation" with the hope to balance the power of nations. This presented the United States as a Global Power, thanks to its pivotal influence in the war. Eventually, it led to Germany’s agreement to Armistice in November 2018. -
Treaty of Versailles
The agreement to end the war had multiple points of negotiation. The treaty also indicated that Germany was to be stripped of its colonies, pay reparations, and agree to take full responsibility for the war. Also, the the League of Nations, a coalition of global superpowers to create foreign peace and policy (Germany was not allowed to join until 1926), was created as a result. -
Passing of the 19th Amendment
Wilson granted women the right to vote by passing the 19th Amendment. This was one of his last pivotal changes made during his presidency, and revolutionized women's rights for decades to come. -
Wilson's Stroke
After a period of overwhelming and debilitating stress due to the end of the war, Wilson suffered a stroke, leaving him temporarily paralyzed and forced him out of the public eye, leaving his wife to the majority of his duties at the end of his term.
