Presidents of the United States: Woodrow Wilson, the architect of the League of Nations

Editor’s Note: This profile is part of a series taking a closer look at US presidents ahead of the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States, served two terms from 1913 to 1921.

A progressive Democrat and former president of Princeton University, Wilson is best remembered for his leadership during World War I and his efforts to establish the League of Nations, an ambitious international organisation aimed at securing lasting global peace.

Wilson’s presidency also brought about major domestic reforms, including the Federal Reserve Act, antitrust legislation, and social welfare improvements. His later years were marked by the failure of the United States to join the League and his personal health struggles, but Wilson’s vision of international diplomacy shaped much of the 20th century’s global order.

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Wilson’s career

Thomas Woodrow Wilson was born on December 28, 1856, in Staunton, Virginia, into a Presbyterian family. The son of a minister, Wilson grew up during the Civil War and Reconstruction, deeply influenced by his Southern heritage. His early education was marked by an interest in political philosophy, which would guide his future career.

Wilson married Ellen Axson in 1885, and they had three daughters. Ellen passed away in 1914, during Wilson’s first term in office. He later married Edith Bolling Galt in 1915.

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Wilson attended Princeton University (then known as the College of New Jersey) and later earned a PhD in political science from Johns Hopkins University in 1886, making him the only US president to hold a doctorate. His academic career culminated in his appointment as president of Princeton in 1902, where he championed educational reform.

Wilson entered politics in 1910 when he was elected governor of New Jersey, where he implemented a range of progressive policies that garnered national attention.

His political success in New Jersey propelled him to the national stage as the Democratic Party’s candidate in the 1912 US presidential election.

Wilson & the White House

In 1912, Wilson secured the Democratic nomination for president and ran against incumbent Republican William Howard Taft and US former president Theodore Roosevelt, who split the Republican vote by running as a third-party candidate.

Wilson’s progressive platform, called the “New Freedom,” emphasised limited government, lower tariffs, and banking reform, as well as tackling trusts and monopolies.

Wilson won the election with 42 per cent of the popular vote and a significant electoral victory, becoming the first Southern-born president since the Civil War.

Progressive reforms by Woodrow Wilson

Wilson’s first term was marked by a series of progressive reforms aimed at reshaping the American economy and strengthening the role of the federal government in regulating business. Some of his key achievements include:

Federal Reserve Act (1913): Wilson’s signature domestic accomplishment, this act created the Federal Reserve System, a central banking authority designed to stabilise the economy and regulate monetary policy.

Clayton Antitrust Act (1914): Strengthening earlier antitrust legislation, the Clayton Act sought to curtail the power of monopolies and protect workers’ rights, building on the trust-busting efforts of his predecessors.

Federal Trade Commission (1914): Wilson established the FTC to monitor and prevent unfair business practices, marking a shift towards greater government oversight in the economy.

Revenue Act (1913): This act lowered tariffs and introduced a progressive income tax, fulfilling a key campaign promise to address income inequality.
Wilson’s domestic policies largely focused on regulating big business, improving worker conditions, and modernising the nation’s financial system, laying the foundation for future economic reforms.

The Great War & the League of Nations

Wilson’s second term (1917-1921) was dominated by foreign policy, particularly World War I, which broke out in Europe in 1914. Initially committed to neutrality, Wilson sought to keep the United States out of the conflict, highlighting diplomacy.

However, Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram, which proposed a German-Mexican alliance against the US, shifted public sentiment.

In April 1917, Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany, famously stating that the US must fight to make the world “safe for democracy.” Wilson played a pivotal role in shaping the Allied victory and contributed to the defeat of the Central Powers.

After the war, Wilson was instrumental in the negotiations for the Treaty of Versailles (1919), where he championed his ‘Fourteen Points’, a set of principles aimed at ensuring lasting peace.

The cornerstone of his vision was the creation of the League of Nations, an international organisation designed to prevent future conflicts through collective security and diplomacy.

Wilson’s challenges back home

While Wilson’s role in the war and his vision for the League of Nations were hailed internationally, he faced significant opposition at home. The US Senate, led by Republican Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, opposed the League of Nations, fearing it would entangle the United States in foreign conflicts.

Despite Wilson’s cross-country campaign to win public support for the League, the Senate ultimately rejected US membership, marking a significant failure for his foreign policy.

Wilson’s health also became a critical issue during his second term. In October 1919, while on his speaking tour promoting the League, Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke, which left him partially paralysed. US First Lady Edith Wilson took on a significant role in managing his affairs, leading some to claim she acted as a de facto president during his incapacitation.

Historical impact of Woodrow Wilson

Wilson left office in 1921, physically weakened and politically embattled. He retired to private life, though he continued to advocate for the League of Nations until his death in 1924.

Despite the failure of the United States to join the League, Wilson’s ideas on collective security and international cooperation would later influence the creation of the United Nations after World War II. His idealistic vision of global diplomacy, though ahead of its time, established the groundwork for future international institutions.

In domestic policy, Wilson’s progressive reforms modernised the American economy and expanded the federal government’s role in regulating business and protecting workers. His commitment to civil liberties, however, has been criticised due to his administration’s suppression of dissent during World War I, including the Espionage and Sedition Acts.

Wilson’s legacy is also marred by his stance on race relations. His administration oversaw the resegregation of federal offices and worsened the conditions for Black Americans in government roles.

Wilson’s views on race, particularly his support for segregation and his praise of the racist film The Birth of a Nation, have been deeply criticised by historians and have sparked calls to reassess his overall legacy.

Woodrow Wilson’s presidency was one of deep contradictions. A champion of progressive domestic reforms and a visionary in international diplomacy, his legacy is tainted by his administration’s failures on civil liberties and race.

Nonetheless, his impact on both the American government and the global stage is undeniable, with his policies and ideals influencing the course of US history for decades after his tenure.