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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President Wilson signed the Selective Service Act of 1917, authorizing the federal government to raise military forces by conscription.
President Wilson appointed General John J. Pershing to command the American Expeditionary Forces bound for Europe in World War I.
Congress passed legislation authorizing the sale of the First Liberty Loan to raise funds for the United States' entry into World War I.
By executive action Wilson created the Committee on Public Information (CPI) and named journalist George Creel to run the government agency charged with promoting support for the war.
Immediately after the declaration of war, U.S. authorities took custody of German merchant and other vessels that had been interned in American ports.
On April 6, 1917 the House of Representatives voted 373–50 to approve the war resolution against Germany, completing congressional authorization for U.S. entry into World War I; Representative Jeannette Rankin was among the opposing votes as the only woman in Congress.
Wilson signed the declaration bringing the United States into World War I.
The United States Senate approved a resolution declaring that a state of war existed between the U.S. and Germany by an overwhelming margin.
Wilson addressed a joint session of Congress, characterizing German submarine warfare as a challenge to international law and democratic rights and formally asking Congress to declare war on Germany.
President Wilson's administration formally extended diplomatic recognition to the Provisional Government that replaced the abdicated Tsar Nicholas II.
Tsar Nicholas II abdicated on March 15, ending centuries of Romanov rule and leading to the establishment of a Russian Provisional Government.
On March 15, 1917 Tsar Nicholas II abdicated the Russian throne, ending centuries of Romanov autocracy and leading to a provisional government in Russia.