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 addressed a joint session of Congress in his annual message, reviewing the nation's war mobilization and outlining legislative and foreign-policy priorities.
Bolshevik forces under Vladimir Lenin overthrew the Russian Provisional Government and seized control of Petrograd, bringing the Bolsheviks to power.
British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour sent a letter to Lord Rothschild expressing the British government's support for the establishment of a 'national home for the Jewish people' in Palestine.
Wilson signed the Trading with the Enemy Act, giving the federal government broad authority to regulate trade with enemy nations, seize enemy-owned property, and control related communications during wartime.
President Woodrow Wilson signed the War Revenue Act, which raised taxes and instituted measures such as an excess-profits tax to help finance U.S. involvement in World War I.
The U.S. Treasury, backed by President Wilson, opened the nationwide Second Liberty Loan campaign on October 1, 1917 to sell public bonds to finance the American war effort.
Soldiers from the 24th Infantry stationed at Camp Logan clashed with Houston police and civilians in a violent uprising outside the camp, resulting in multiple deaths and extensive military prosecutions.
On August 23, 1917, soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 24th U.S. Infantry marched from Camp Logan into Houston after a confrontation with local police, resulting in a violent clash that left both civilians and soldiers dead.
Wilson named Herbert Hoover U.S. Food Administrator, charging him with stabilizing prices, expanding exports to Allies, and promoting voluntary food conservation at home.
Following passage of the Food and Fuel Control Act, Wilson appointed Herbert Hoover as the head of the U.S. Food Administration on August 10, 1917.
President Wilson signed the Food and Fuel Control Act on August 10, 1917, granting the federal government broad authority to regulate the production, distribution, and prices of food and fuel during World War I.
On July 31, 1917, British forces launched the Third Battle of Ypres (commonly called Passchendaele) against German positions in Flanders on the Western Front.