MOST CORRUPT SERIES: President Woodrow Wilson - Forgotten History

The Complex Legacy of Woodrow Wilson

Introduction to Woodrow Wilson

• Woodrow Wilson, a minister's son and former professor, became the President of the United States. His life was marked by both acclaim and controversy, particularly regarding his vision for world peace.

• Wilson is viewed differently across perspectives; progressives see him as a modern reformer, while others criticize his record on segregation and World War I.

Early Life and Education

• Born in Staunton, Virginia on December 28 or 29, 1856, Wilson faced challenges in his youth due to dyslexia but eventually excelled academically.

• He graduated from Princeton University in 1879 after attending law school at the University of Virginia.

Personal Life

• Married Ellen Axson in 1885; they had three daughters. Ellen passed away during his first presidential term in 1914.

• Wilson earned a PhD in political science from Johns Hopkins University, making him the only U.S. president with a doctorate.

Academic Career

• He taught at several colleges before becoming president of Princeton University in 1902, where he implemented educational reforms but also enforced racial segregation.

• His textbook series romanticized the Confederacy and portrayed the Ku Klux Klan positively.

Political Ascendancy

• Elected governor of New Jersey in 1910; maintained segregationist policies during his tenure.

• Nominated for president by Democrats in 1912 amidst a divided Republican Party; won decisively with a platform focused on liberal reform.

Presidency and Policies

• After marrying Edith Bolling Galt post-election, he re-segregated federal workforce branches despite claims of progressive reform.

• Established significant institutions like the Federal Reserve and Federal Trade Commission aimed at economic regulation but supported segregationist policies that contradicted progressive ideals.

Controversial Views and Actions

• Despite achievements like managing national banks through the Federal Reserve system, Wilson's legacy is marred by strong support for segregation and positive views towards the Ku Klux Klan.

• His admiration for "Birth of a Nation," which glorified the KKK, highlights contradictions between his progressive agenda and racial attitudes.

Wilson's Controversial Legacy

The Impact of Film on Public Perception

• Wilson described a film depicting African Americans as "brutes" as akin to "writing history with lightning," expressing regret over its truthfulness, yet later called it an "unfortunate production" and hoped it wouldn't be shown in black communities.

Legislative Achievements and Amendments

• In 1913, Wilson passed the 16th Amendment, establishing the IRS, and the Underwood Simmons Act, which reduced tariffs—seen by some as infringing on states' rights under the 10th Amendment.

• He also enacted the 17th Amendment, changing senator appointments from state legislatures to direct elections by voters.

World War I: Neutrality vs. Intervention

• As Europe plunged into war in 1914, Wilson initially sought to maintain U.S. neutrality despite pressures leading up to his eventual call for war against Germany in 1917.

• Historians argue that events like the sinking of the Lusitania (May 7, 1915) influenced public opinion; however, questions arise about why Wilson delayed asking Congress for war until two years later.

Justifications for War: The Zimmerman Telegram

• The infamous Zimmerman Telegram (January 16, 1917) proposed a German-Mexican alliance if the U.S. entered the war; its interception fueled outrage but was not taken seriously by many officials at the time.

• Skepticism existed regarding whether this telegram was a British ploy to draw America into conflict due to their own military struggles on the Western Front.

Economic Interests Behind Political Decisions

• Wealthy industrialists who supported Wilson had significant investments in European ventures and pressured him towards intervention; they feared bankruptcy if Germany won due to their financial ties abroad.

• Figures like Rockefeller and Ford were particularly concerned about securing their business interests amid wartime threats to resources such as rubber from Africa during ongoing conflicts.

Breaking Diplomatic Relations with Germany

• On February 3rd, 1917, amidst growing public clamor and advice from senators, Wilson severed diplomatic relations with Germany while hoping American ships would avoid conflict zones declared by Germany around Britain and France.

The Complex Legacy of Woodrow Wilson

Wilson's Diplomatic Decisions and War Justifications

• Wilson's decision to go to war was influenced by political motivations, despite Germany complying with international law and providing conditions for neutral nations to avoid conflict.

• The Great Migration, involving 500,000 African Americans moving from the rural South to Northern cities, played a significant role in shaping societal dynamics during this period.

Racial Policies and Social Issues Under Wilson

• Many Southern blacks migrated due to the harsh realities of racism, including lynchings and economic despair caused by factors like debt peonage and agricultural pests.

• Under Wilson's administration, Jim Crow laws were enforced, leading to segregation in public facilities. His own words reflected a belief that segregation was beneficial rather than humiliating.

• Despite some progressive achievements such as child labor laws and support for an eight-hour workday, Wilson's legacy is marred by his racist policies and attitudes towards African Americans.

Legislative Challenges and Labor Relations

• The Treaty of Versailles faced rejection in the Senate twice (1919 & 1920), preventing U.S. membership in the League of Nations despite Wilson’s efforts for peace negotiations post-war.

• The war years saw increased union activity; however, racial tensions escalated as white workers resented job competition from black migrants who were often willing to work for lower wages.

Women's Suffrage Movement During Wilson's Presidency

• By 1920, enough states ratified the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. This shift significantly impacted electoral outcomes favoring Republican candidates.

• Initially opposed to women's suffrage, Wilson eventually supported it by endorsing a plank in the Democratic platform but had mixed feelings about Prohibition laws.

Health Decline and Post-Presidency Life

• In September 1919, Wilson suffered from severe health issues culminating in a stroke on October 2nd that left him partially paralyzed; his condition was kept largely secret from the public.

• After leaving office in March 1921 due to health problems, he attempted to establish a law firm but struggled with serious work until his death on February 3rd, 1924.