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 May 27, 1918, German forces opened a massive offensive along the Aisne River (the Third Battle of the Aisne), employing concentrated artillery and storm-troop tactics against Allied lines.
Wilson signed the Sedition Act (an amendment to the Espionage Act) which expanded prohibitions and penalties for disloyal, abusive, or profane language about the U.S. government, flag, or military.
The Wilson administration and the Treasury launched the Third Liberty Loan campaign on April 5, 1918, to sell $3 billion in government bonds to finance the U.S. role in World War I.
On March 21, 1918, Germany launched Operation Michael, a major offensive in the Somme region intended to break Allied lines and separate British and French armies.
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Standard Time Act (Calder Act), legally establishing standard time zones in the United States and authorizing the nation's first daylight saving time.
On March 3, 1918, Bolshevik Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with the Central Powers, formally ending Russia's participation in World War I and ceding large territories to Germany and its allies.
President Wilson delivered his Fourteen Points address to a joint session of Congress, outlining principles for a just peace after World War I including self-determination, free trade, open diplomacy, and a League of Nations.
President Wilson issued federal control over the nation’s railroads and appointed William G. McAdoo as Director General to oversee operations.
President Wilson ordered federal control of the nation's railroads during World War I and appointed former Secretary of the Treasury William G. McAdoo as Director General of the United States Railroad Administration.
On December 18, 1917, Congress approved the proposed Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, seeking to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors.
Congress passed a declaration of war against Austria-Hungary and President Wilson signed it, formally bringing the United States into hostilities with the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
On December 7, 1917, Congress passed a joint resolution declaring that a state of war existed between the United States and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which President Wilson signed into law.