Woodrow Wilson

1. Introduction
Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), the 28th US president, served in office from 1913 to 1921 and led
America through World War I (1914-1918). An advocate for democracy and world peace, Wilson is often
ranked by historians as one of the nation's greatest presidents. Wilson was a college professor,
university president and Democratic governor of New Jersey before winning the White House in 1912.
Once in office, he pursued an ambitious agenda of progressive reform that included the establishment
of the Federal Reserve and Federal Trade Commission. Wilson tried to keep the United States neutral
during World War I but ultimately called on Congress to declare war on Germany in 1917. After the war,
he helped negotiate a peace treaty that included a plan for the League of Nations. Although the Senate
rejected US membership in the League, Wilson received the Nobel Prize in 1919 for his peacemaking
efforts.

2. Achievements of Woodrow Wilson

 True Progressive president of America
 Noble Prize winner for peace efforts
 Balance US policy in World War I
 Wilson 14 points

3. 14 Points of Woodrow Wilson

During the bloody battles of the First World War, President Woodrow Wilson began to explain his plans
for the peace following the war. Most widely known was his message of a "peace without victory" most
completely explained in his "Fourteen Points" speech before Congress on 8 January 1918. The first five
points consisted the idea of an "open" world after the war. The next eight points focused mainly upon
the idea of granting "self-determination" to national minorities in Europe. Most significant, however,
was point number fourteen which stressed a "general association of nations" to ensure "political
independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike." Essentially, these Fourteen Points
signaled a generous, non-punitive postwar settlement.

A. Abolishment of Secret Treaties

Abolition of secret diplomacy by adoption of open covenants (agreements) openly arrived at.

B. Absolute Freedom of The Seas

Freedom of the seas in peace and war, except as the seas may be closed in whole or in part by
international action to enforce international covenants.

C. Removal of economic barriers and equality of trade

Removal of international trade barriers where-ever possible and establishment of equal trading
conditions among the nations accepting the peace.

D. Reduction of armaments
Reduction of armaments to the lowest point consistent with public safety.
 E. Adjustment of colonial claims
Adjustment of colonial claims, taking into account the interests of the colonial population as well as
those of the rival colonial powers.

F. Evacuation of Russian Territories

Evacuation of German troops from Russian territory, and an opportunity for Russia, then engaged in the
Communist revolution, to determine its form of government without outside interference.

G. Preservation of Belgian sovereignty

Evacuation of German troops from Belgium.

H. Restoration of French territory Alsace-Lorraine

Evacuation and restoration by Germany of French territory, with restoration to France of Alsace-
Lorraine.

I. Re-adjustment of Italian frontiers

Readjustment of the frontiers of Italy along clearly recognizable lines of nationality.

J. Division and autonomous development of Austria-Hungary

Opportunity of autonomous development for the peoples of Austria-Hungary.

K. Redrawing of Balkan boundaries

Evacuation by the Central Powers of Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania; granting of seaports to Serbia;
and international guarantees of the political and economic independence and territorial integrity of the
Balkan states.

L. Limitations on Turkey
Internationalization of the Dardanelles and self-determination for non-Turkish peoples under Turkish
control.

M. Establishment of an independent Poland

An independent Poland with access to the sea.

N. Association of nations (League of Nations)

A League of Nations should be set up to guarantee the political and territorial independence of all
states.

4. Woodrow Wilson in World War 1

A. First Tenure
When World War I broke out in Europe in the summer of 1914, Wilson was determined to keep the
United States out of the conflict. On May 7, 1915, a German submarine torpedoed and sank the British
ocean liner Lusitania, killing more than 1,100 people (including 128 Americans). Wilson continued to
maintain U.S. neutrality but warned Germany that any future sinking would be viewed by America as
“deliberately unfriendly.”
 B. Second Tenure
Woodrow Wilson’s second term in office was dominated by World War I. Although the president had
advocated for peace during the initial years of the war, in early 1917 German submarines launched
unrestricted submarine attacks against U.S. merchant ships. Around the same time, the United States
learned about the Zimmerman Telegram, in which Germany tried to persuade Mexico to enter into an
alliance against America. On April 2, 1917, Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany, stating,
“The world must be made safe for democracy.”

C. Treaty of Versailles
America’s participation helped bring about victory for the Allies, and on November 11, 1918, an
armistice was signed by the Germans. At the Paris Peace Conference, which opened in January 1919 and
included the heads of the British, French and Italian governments, Wilson helped negotiate the Treaty of
Versailles.

D. Fourteen Points
The Fourteen Points speech of President Woodrow Wilson was an address delivered before a joint
meeting of Congress on January 8, 1918, during which Wilson outlined his vision for a stable, long-lasting
peace in Europe, the Americas and the rest of the world following World War I.

E. League of Nations
The agreement included the charter for the League of Nations, an organization intended to arbitrate
international disputes and prevent future wars.

5. Tariff Acts
Wilson wasted no time. He immediately called a special session of Congress to act on Democratic
campaign promises to reduce import taxes, or tariffs. Wilson felt strongly about the need to reform
these taxes. He broke tradition by leaving the White House to appear before Congress, in person, to
appeal for his tariff proposals.

6. Banking Reforms
Under the plan, the nation would be divided into twelve areas. Each area would have its own federal
reserve bank. These area banks would not do business with the public. They would serve only as
"bankers' banks." And they would issue a new form of money supported by the federal government.
Most important, the leaders of the new system would be chosen by the government--not by private
business.

7. Conclusion
Thomas Woodrow Wilson is perhaps best remembered for his devotion to the cause of world peace in
the formation of the League of Nations. He achieved much more, however, during his two-term
presidency. In an era of progressive idealism, he pushed the emerging United States onto the world
stage. And his famous appeal to Congress as he took his country into world war in 1917 still
reverberates: "The world must be made safe for democracy." Ironically, democracy was much more
threatened after Germany's surrender, as a result of the punitive peace the Allies forced on it.
Nonetheless, Wilson's ideals survived the century of wars, and his promotion of national self-
determination has largely won the day.