Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson

Early Life and Education

Woodrow Wilson was born on December 28, 1856, in Staunton, Virginia, but lived in Georgia and South Carolina in his childhood as well. He was the third of four children. Wilson was well education and graduated from Princeton University in 1879 where he excelled at debate. Following his graduation, Wilson attempted to study law, but found his studies laborious. Instead, Wilson was accepted to a Ph. D program in political science from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He graduated three years later. A year earlier, Wilson married Ellen Axson.

Professor and Author

Following his Ph. D, Wilson served as a professor at Cornell University, Bryn Mawr College Wesleyan University and eventually Princeton. During this time Ellen gave birth to two daughters, Margaret and Jessie. Wilson soon became an accomplished political science and history author. His texts on the function of government and 19th century history were used in many American universities. By 1902, Wilson had been elevated to president of Princeton University, a position which he held for eight years.

Out of Nowhere!

In 1910, Wilson took the political world by storm when he was elected as governor of New Jersey and then won the Democratic nomination for president in 1912. Wilson, who advertised himself as a "progressive," easily won the election over Republicans William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt. Wilson would become the nation's first southern-born president since Zachary Taylor in 1848. In 1914, however, Wilson's wife died of kidney disease. Wilson would marry Edith Bolling the following year.

As President..

Acts Passed During Wilson's Presidency:
 
The Federal Reserve Act - This act authorized the creation of the Federal Reserve System, America's central banking system. The act also authorized the bank to create a print "legal tender," at the time referred to as Federal Reserve Notes.
 
The Clayton Antitrust Act- This act prohibited monopolistic behavior by large companies. Similar to the 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act, the Clayton Antitrust Act also specified specific illegal behaviors, described enforcement, remediation, and exemptions to the act.
 
The Revenue Act of 1913 - re-introduced income tax to citizens. At the time, a one percent income tax was imposed on individuals making more than $3,000 per year or families that made more than $4,000 per year. It also lowered tariffs from 40 to 25 percent for goods entering the United States.
 
The Adamson Act - This act established the standard eight-hour workday for employees of agencies or companies engaged in interstate or international commerce. The passage of the act prevented a nationwide railroad workers strike.
 
Selective Service Act of 1917 - This act allowed the United States military to raise an army through conscription (the draft) in preparation for entry into World War I.

World War I

Wilson's second term was dominated by World War I. Upon the outbreak of the war, Wilson maintained a policy of neutrality, even after German U-boats sunk several ships that carried American passengers, including the British liner RMS Lusitania. When Germany refused to curtail their submarine warfare, and attempted to broker a partnership with Mexico, Wilson declared war on Germany citing, "the world must be must be made safe for democracy." Over 2.8 million men and boys were drafted for military service. Wilson successfully guided the nation through the war.

Fourteen Points

In 1918, Wilson issued his famous "Fourteen Points," a statement and speech outlining his vision of a free world, successful foreign policy, democracy, trade equality, free navigation, and solutions to territorial disputes in Europe. His speech ended with the promotion of the League of Nations, an organization of nations formed to promote world peace, disarmament, and diplomacy. In 1919, Wilson was issued the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in promoting the League of Nations.

Nineteenth Amendment

In 1918, Wilson promoted the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. In October of 1919, however, Wilson suffered a serious stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed. Following his second term in office, Wilson and his wife moved to a townhouse in Washington, D.C. On February 3, 1924, Woodrow Wilson died from another stroke. His wife would live in the townhouse another 37 years before dying at the age of 89. On the day of her death, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, connecting Maryland and Virginia, was dedicated. In 1934, the $100,000 bill, the largest U.S. Currency note ever printed, honored Woodrow Wilson.

Woodrow Wilson on the $100,000 Bill
Woodrow Wilson on the United States $100,000 bill

Most Famous Quote

"The world must be made safe for democracy." – Woodrow Wilson

Timeline of Woodrow Wilson's Life

  1. 1856 – Born in Staunton, Virginia.
  2. 1879 – Graduated from Princeton University.
  3. 1885 – Married Ellen Axson.
  4. 1886 – Entered teaching career at Cornell.
  5. 1902 – Became president of Princeton University.
  6. 1910 – Elected governor of New Jersey.
  7. 1912 – Elected President of the United States.
  8. 1914 – First wife Ellen died.
  9. 1915 – Married Edith Bolling.
  10. 1914-1918 – World War I.
  11. 1917 – U.S. entered World War I.
  12. 1918 – Delivered Fourteen Points speech.
  13. 1919 – Nobel Peace Prize; suffered a stroke.
  14. 1920 – 19th Amendment ratified.
  15. 1924 – Died in Washington, D.C.

Five Interesting Facts

  • Wilson is the only U.S. president to hold a Ph.D.
  • He appears on the $100,000 bill, the largest U.S. currency note.
  • He was the first southern-born president since 1848.
  • Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke during his presidency.
  • He promoted the League of Nations, though the U.S. never joined.

Glossary

  • Ph.D. – A doctoral degree awarded for original research.
  • Antitrust – Laws preventing monopolies and promoting competition.
  • Tariff – A tax on imports or exports.
  • Conscription – Compulsory enlistment for military service.
  • League of Nations – An international organization for peace, formed after World War I.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why was Wilson's academic background significant for his presidency?
  2. How did World War I influence Wilson's policies and legacy?
  3. What were the main goals of the Fourteen Points?
  4. Why did the U.S. not join the League

Early Life and Education

Woodrow Wilson was born on December 28, 1856, in Virginia and grew up in Georgia and South Carolina. He graduated from Princeton in 1879 and later earned a Ph.D. in political science from Johns Hopkins. In 1885, he married Ellen Axson.

Academic Career

Wilson taught at several universities and became president of Princeton in 1902. He wrote influential books on government and history.

Political Rise

In 1910, Wilson became governor of New Jersey and, two years later, president of the United States. He won as a progressive candidate and was the first southern-born president since 1848. His first wife died in 1914; he remarried in 1915.

Presidency and World War I

Wilson passed key laws like the Federal Reserve Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act. He led the U.S. through World War I, declaring war in 1917 after German aggression. His famous statement was, "The world must be made safe for democracy."

Fourteen Points and Later Life

In 1918, Wilson proposed the Fourteen Points, promoting peace and creating the League of Nations. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 but suffered a stroke later that year. Wilson supported the 19th Amendment for women's voting rights. He died in 1924 in Washington, D.C.