Woodrow Wilson was the 28th president of the United States, serving from March 4, 1913 to March 4, 1921. A Democrat and Progressive reformer, he led major domestic changes and guided the nation through World War I while advocating the League of Nations.
Wilson's presidency brought significant progressive reforms: he helped create the Federal Reserve System, strengthened antitrust enforcement, established the Federal Trade Commission, lowered tariffs and introduced a federal income tax. His administration also enacted labor protections and regulatory measures that reshaped the national economy.
Internationally, Wilson led the United States into World War I, articulated the Fourteen Points and pressed for a League of Nations to secure a new world order, but the Senate refused to ratify U.S. membership. His record is contested: he expanded federal authority and wartime censorship and instituted segregationist policies in the federal government, outcomes that have substantially affected historical assessments of his presidency.
Established the Federal Reserve System (1913) and modernized banking; Enacted antitrust and regulatory reforms including the Clayton Antitrust Act and Federal Trade Commission (1914); Lowered tariffs and introduced a federal income tax (Underwood Tariff, 1913); Led the U.S. through World War I and proposed the Fourteen Points; Championed the League of Nations but failed to secure Senate ratification; Implemented segregationist policies in federal offices and oversaw wartime suppression of dissent
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
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On July 28, 1917, President Wilson created the War Industries Board to coordinate production, procurement, and industrial priorities for the U.S. war effort.
Federal officials held the first national lottery under the Selective Service Act to determine the order in which registered men would be called for military service.
On July 12, 1917, a deputized force of about 2,000 vigilantes rounded up roughly 1,200 striking miners, labor organizers, and suspected sympathizers in Bisbee, Arizona, and forcibly deported them by rail into the New Mexico desert.
Beginning July 3, 1917, mass demonstrations and armed clashes by soldiers and workers in Petrograd—the 'July Days'—erupted against the Russian Provisional Government before being suppressed.
Beginning July 2, 1917, white mobs in East St. Louis, Illinois attacked Black residents over several days, killing dozens and destroying homes and businesses.
On July 1, 1917, Russian forces under the Provisional Government launched a major allied offensive against Austro-German lines—later known as the Kerensky or July Offensive.
On June 26, 1917, the first substantial contingents of U.S. troops from the American Expeditionary Forces reached French ports to begin training and deployment on the Western Front.
Substantial numbers of U.S. troops of the American Expeditionary Forces began arriving in France, marking the United States’ growing military commitment on the Western Front.
On June 26, 1917, the first sizable elements of the American Expeditionary Forces under General John J. Pershing began arriving in France to join the Allied war effort.
Woodrow Wilson signed the Espionage Act into law, criminalizing certain acts of interference with military operations and support for U.S. enemies.
President Wilson signed the Espionage Act into law, criminalizing interference with military operations, support of U.S. enemies, and other acts deemed harmful to national defense during wartime.
On June 5, 1917, the United States conducted its first nationwide registration of men aged 21–30 under the Selective Service Act of 1917.