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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A German U-boat (U-20) torpedoed and sank the British passenger liner RMS Lusitania off the coast of Ireland, killing 1,198 people, including 128 U.S. citizens.
The U.S. Senate confirmed President Wilson’s December 12 nomination of James C. McReynolds to the Supreme Court to fill the vacant Associate Justice seat.
President Woodrow Wilson nominated New York Attorney General James Clark McReynolds to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the recent death of Justice Horace H. Lurton.
President Wilson ordered the withdrawal of U.S. Army and Navy forces from Veracruz, bringing to an end the occupation that began in April 1914.
The 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks formally opened and began operations under the Federal Reserve Act, initiating the U.S. central banking system.
On November 3, 1914, U.S. midterm elections produced substantial Republican gains in the House and modest Republican gains in the Senate, while Democrats kept narrow majorities in both chambers.
Woodrow Wilson signed the Clayton Antitrust Act, strengthening U.S. antitrust laws and restricting certain anti-competitive business practices.
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Trade Commission Act, creating the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and prevent unfair business practices.
The Panama Canal was officially opened on August 15, 1914 when the steamship SS Ancon completed the first commercial transit between the Atlantic and Pacific.
President Woodrow Wilson issued a formal Proclamation of Neutrality declaring the United States impartial in the war that had erupted in Europe after Germany's invasion of Belgium and Britain’s entry into the conflict.
Germany delivered an ultimatum to Russia demanding that its mobilization be stopped within a specified time, heightening tensions between the great powers.
In response to Austria-Hungary's actions, Russia ordered a general mobilization of its armed forces.