Transcript Woodrow Wilson

Today's Agenda
Bellwork
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Bellwork Review
Lecture
Woodrow Wilson's Presidency
Today’s Standard:US.20 Analyze the significant
progressive achievements during the
administration of Woodrow Wilson, including his
New Freedom, the Underwood Tariff, the Federal
Reserve Act, and the Clayton Anti-Trust Act.
(E, H, P)
Objective
Understand how Woodrow Wilson's Presidency
impacted the United States.
One of 5 greatest presidents of all time
The Career of
Woodrow Wilson
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
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)
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
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
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.
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
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
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
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/lusitania
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
Election of 1917
Wilson won his second term, winning in the
polls with the slogan: “He kept us out of
the war!”
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
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ist/?next=/history
/document-deep-dive-what-did-the-zimmermanntelegram-say-29792028/
He asked Congress to declare war on Germany in
April 1917
Always the courteous diplomat, Wilson still hoped for
a peaceful resolution
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
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
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.
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
Woodrow Wilson's Presidency
Today’s Standard:US.20 Analyze the significant
progressive achievements during the
administration of Woodrow Wilson, including his
New Freedom, the Underwood Tariff, the Federal
Reserve Act, and the Clayton Anti-Trust Act.
(E, H, P)
Objective
Understand how Woodrow Wilson's Presidency
impacted the United States.