Woodrow Wilson 1856–1924
28th President of the United States
The son of a minister, Woodrow Wilson grew up in Georgia. He worked as a professor of history and political science. He went on to become president of Princeton University. Wilson didn't run for office until 1910, when he was elected Governor of New Jersey. Two years later, he won the presidency of the United States. He was the first southern President since the Civil War.
President Wilson kept the United States out of World War I as long as he could. Twice he offered to help Britain and Germany negotiate a peace treaty. He urged the world's most powerful nations to stop fighting and start cooperating. When German submarines began attacking American ships, however, Wilson reluctantly entered the war.
Near the end of World War I, Wilson put forward a list of ideas for achieving peace called the Fourteen Points. They called on nations to cooperate in basic ways. They included the idea of forming a League of Nations. Wilson's Fourteen Points won praise from many world leaders. In 1919, Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for trying to bring about world peace and cooperation.
Critical Thinking
What character traits would you use to describe Woodrow Wilson? Explain your answer.