Woodrow Wilson’s Presidency

Background Information Born: December 28, 1856, in Staunton, Virginia Full Name: Thomas Woodrow Wilson Religion: Presbyterian Political Party: Democrat Died: February 3, 1924 President Number: 28 th President from Vice President: Thomas R. Marshall Years in Office:8

Domestic Affairs -Wilson came into the White House with the intent on expanding economic opportunity for people at the bottom of society and eliminating special privileges which were enjoyed by the rich. -His first focus was tariff reform. He used the Underwood Simmons Act, which achieved the most significant reduction rates since the Civil War. He argued that high tariffs created monopolies and hurt consumers, and lower tariffs were more popular in the south and west. -Next Wilson faced currency problems and banking reform. After the Civil War, Democrats wanted a more flexible money supply system of banking that would allow adjustments in he amount of money and credit available when a time of crisis hit.

Domestic Affairs Continued... -In the early twentieth century, bankers had began to demand a reform. As a result of the Wilson created the Federal Reserve Act of 1913; which established twelve regional reserve banks controlled by the Federal Reserve Board. This new system could adjust interest rates and the nations money supply. -Woodrow Wilson supported the idea of exploitation against women and children workers. In 1918 he signed a law supporting a bill that would permit railroad workers to work for only 8 hours a day.– The Adamson Act shortened all work days for industrial workers.

More Domestic Affairs -Then WWI broke out. The U.S. didn’t enter the war until 3 years after it had started. To pay for the war, Wilson levied a new income tax, which accounted for about half of the $33 billion that was spent. The rest of the cost was met through Liberty Loan drives. -After the war ended the Treaty of Versailles was signed. It was a peace settlement. In the end the treaty failed.

Foreign Affairs -Throughout his presidency Woodrow Wilson signed 22 treaties. -Wilson wanted the U.S. to have a “friendship” with Latin America states, but he also emphasized that he believe “just government” must rest “upon the consent of the governed”. In 1916, he bout the Virgin Islands from the master, Demark, for $25 million. -The U.S. began having problems with Mexico. With the thought of war breaking out in Wilson’s mind, he agreed to discuss methods of securing the bored area with the Mexican government. - In 1917 the U.S. was beginning to get involved with the European war. Once the general in Germany heard this he contacted a German minister in Mexico and said to form an alliance with them against the U.S., if Germany and the U.S. went to war.

Foreign Affairs Continued... -After that, Wilson wanted the U.S. to remain neutral. -Woodrow Wilson the later made his “Fourteen Points” speech delivered to Congress in Jan. of It called for a new diplomacy. He wanted no more secret treaties. Major points included freedom of the seas at all times and free trade all over the world. The most important proposal was the prevention of future wars by means of a new international organization, a league of nations, open to membership by all democratic states.

Quote “No Nation is fit to sit in judgment upon any other nation.”

President Ranking 1.Public Persuasion- yes, people liked him and respected the things he did for the country. 2.Crisis Leadership- yes, he stopped the U.S. from having a war with Mexico, and he dealt with the WWI crisis effectively. 3. Economic Management-yes, he came up with good plans to make more money, for the country, and to pay for the war. 4. Moral Authority- no, its said the he’s been involved in a “scandal” 5. International Relations- no, did not get along with Mexico, or Germany. 6. Administrative Skills- yes, he had good plans set 7. Relations With Congress- yes, he talked things out with the congressman when needed to. 8. Vision/ Agenda Setting- yes, he had a plan for the things he wanted to do. 9. Pursuit of Equal Justice For All- yes, he never discriminated against anyone. 10. Performance Within the Context of His Time- yes, I think he did what he could have with the things he had. I ranked Woodrow Wilson an 8 out of 10.

Bibliography Website: Title: The White House Copyright:? Website: woodrow.htmwww.nps.gov/archive/elro/glossary/wilson- woodrow.htm Title: Woodrow Wilson Copyright: The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Website: Title: President Sex Scandals Copyright: 2008 Who2, LLC Website: