The Career of Woodrow Wilson

1. The Career of Woodrow Wilson Julia Wines

2. Education • Wilson spent his early years learning under his father at their home in Columbia, SC • In 1873, he attended Davidson College in NC for one year before transferring to Princeton • This is where he became interested in political history and philosophy, and became active in debating

3. 1879: Wilson studies law at University of Virginia, though his weak health hinders his graduation • Worked in a law partnership with an old classmate, but still hoped for a political career • Began studying at Johns Hopkins University, earning him a Ph.D. in political science and history (incidentally, Wilson is currently the only President to have earned a doctorate)

4. Early Positions • Served as President of Princeton 1902-1910 • Ran on the Democratic ticket for the position of Governor of New Jersey, and was in office from 1911 to 1913

5. Election of 1912 • Wilson runs against Republican and then-President William H. Taft, and Theodore Roosevelt, running as a Progressive with his Bull Moose Party • Wilson won by a substantial lead in electoral votes

6. Political Standings • Wilson saw the United States constitution as a weighty, out-dated way of governing • Influenced by the writings of the English Walter Bagehot, Wilson supported the organization of a parliamentary system for the US • Wilson’s views would later return to a simple Democratic standard, working toward limited government power, but with a party-independent mindset. • His plan to minimize wastefulness of and self-service with the government was called the New Freedom.

7. First Term, 1913-1917 • Wilson began fulfilling the promises his New Freedom plan had to offer • Underwood Tariff Act: lowered taxes on imports and exempted taxes on necessary items (wool, lumber, milk, etc.) • Federal Reserve Act: strengthened to the banking system by conglomerating them under one office • Clayton Antitrust Act: served to break up the power of monopolies

8. War in Europe • Wilson had little experience in foreign policy, and believed in polite diplomacy • After the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and the beginning of the war in Europe, Wilson stood for neutrality • As the war began to affect the economy, however, Wilson was divided between remaining neutral and aiding the Allies

9. The Lusitania and Loyalty • 1915: After the sinking of the Lusitania and the death of 123 American passengers, citizens called for the President to declare war • Wilson still promoted his support of neutrality through the end of his first term, arguing that millions of unnecessary deaths would result in avenging a few

10. Election of 1917 • Wilson won his second term, winning in the polls with the slogan: “He kept us out of the war!”

11. Entering the War • After the interception of the Zimmerman note and the imminent threat Germany posed on the US, Wilson could no longer ignore the need for action • He asked Congress to declare war on Germany in April 1917 • Always the courteous diplomat, Wilson still hoped for a peaceful resolve

12. Resolving Peacefully • It was revealed that the British, French, and Russian powers hoped to divide up the German empire and profit from “stolen treasures” • Wilson believed this would only lead to more war, and created his list of basic guidelines for peace, the Fourteen Points

13. The Fourteen Points and the End of the War • Along with more specific instructions, the Fourteen points called for international peace • “No secret negotiations between nations” • “Freedom of navigation upon the seas” • “Removal of trade barriers between countries” • “Reduction of military weapons” • The list was met with great approval from Congress • July 14, 1918—fighting ends, and in October, Germany accepts Wilson’s Points calls on the US for peaceful resolution

14. An official armistice was announced on November 11, which would later be established as Veterans Day • Wilson met with leaders from France, Britain and Italy (“the Big Four”) for peace talks • Organized the Treaty of Versailles and planned to form the League of Nations For his diplomatic efforts, Wilson would receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1920.

15. The Last Years • In 1919, Wilson suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed down his left side and barely functioning in office • With the help of his (second) wife Edith, his cabinet and Congress, Wilson carried out the end of his demanding term rather smoothly • He retired from the presidency in 1921, and lived quietly in D.C. until his death in 1924

16. Bibliography • Dommermuth-Costa, Carol. Woodrow Wilson. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publisher      Company, 2003. Print. • Nordholt, J.W. Schulte. Woodrow Wilson: A Life for World Peace. Trans. Herbert      H. Rowen. Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press, 1991. Print. • Photos • Woodrow Wilson Gallery. N.d. Library of Congress. History (Channel). Web. 18 Mar.      2011. <http://www.history.com/topics/woodrow-wilson/photos>. • "Electoral College map for the 1912 United States presidential election." Map. Wikipedia. N.p., 28 Dec. 2008. Web. 20 Mar. 2011.      <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ElectoralCollege1912.svg>.