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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The U.S. Congress passed the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, sending the women's suffrage amendment to the states for ratification.
On June 4, 1919, the U.S. Congress passed the proposed 19th Amendment to the Constitution, sending it to the states for ratification to prohibit denying the right to vote on the basis of sex.
Delegates at the Paris Peace Conference approved the Covenant of the League of Nations as part of the emerging peace settlement.
President Woodrow Wilson arrived in New York aboard the USS George Washington after nearly four months in Europe negotiating the peace settlement at Versailles.
On February 6, 1919, more than 65,000 workers in Seattle walked off the job in a citywide general strike that shut down transit, shipping, and many businesses.
President Woodrow Wilson was a principal figure as Allied leaders convened at the Palace of Versailles for the opening of the Paris Peace Conference to negotiate post‑World War I settlements.
President Wilson reached Paris to begin direct consultations with Allied leaders following his arrival in Europe.
President Wilson disembarked at Brest, France, arriving there to begin his European mission to confer with Allied leaders and prepare for postwar peace negotiations.
President Woodrow Wilson boarded the USS George Washington on December 4, 1918, departing the United States for Europe to take part personally in post‑World War I peace negotiations.
President Wilson delivered his annual message to Congress setting out U.S. postwar objectives and urging support for his international organization proposals (the League of Nations) just before departing for Europe.
President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation designating Thursday, November 28, 1918, as a national day of thanksgiving and prayer following the armistice that ended major fighting in World War I.
President Wilson transmitted to Congress the terms of the armistice signed November 11, 1918, that ended major fighting in World War I.