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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Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing led a U.S. Army expedition into Mexico authorized by President Wilson to capture Pancho Villa and punish his forces.
President Wilson ordered General John J. Pershing to lead a U.S. Army expedition into northern Mexico to pursue Pancho Villa following the Columbus raid.
Following Pancho Villa's March 9 raid on Columbus, President Wilson authorized Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing to lead a punitive expedition, and U.S. forces crossed into northern Mexico on March 15, 1916 to pursue Villa's rebels.
President Wilson ordered National Guard units called into federal service and deployed to strengthen security along the U.S.–Mexico border.
Revolutionary leader Pancho Villa led a cross-border attack on the town of Columbus, New Mexico, killing U.S. civilians and soldiers.
On March 9, 1916, forces led by Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa attacked the U.S. border town of Columbus, New Mexico, assaulting soldiers and civilians.
President Woodrow Wilson nominated Boston attorney and progressive reformer Louis D. Brandeis to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court.
President Woodrow Wilson married Edith Bolling Galt in a private ceremony at the White House on December 18, 1915.
President Woodrow Wilson delivered his annual message to Congress, addressing domestic reforms and the implications of the European war for the United States.
President Wilson announced U.S. diplomatic recognition of Venustiano Carranza's de facto government in Mexico on October 26, 1915.
Following U.S. protests over the August 19 sinking of the British liner Arabic, the German government pledged not to sink passenger ships without warning and without ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
On August 20, 1915, President Wilson, through Secretary of State Robert Lansing, formally protested to Germany after the German U-boat torpedoed the British passenger liner Arabic on August 19.