Woodrow Wilson: President During World War I
Woodrow Wilson was President during World War I. Learn about his leadership, the war, and his vision for peace.
Who was President during World War I? Woodrow Wilson. Wilson served as the 28th President from 1913 to 1921, leading America through World War I (1914-1918). He initially kept America neutral but eventually led the nation into war in 1917. After the war, Wilson promoted the League of Nations and tried to establish a lasting peace, though the Senate rejected his peace treaty.
For the citizenship test, you need to know that Woodrow Wilson was President during World War I. Understanding his role helps explain how America became involved in the war and how Wilson tried to shape the peace afterward.
The Essential Facts
For the citizenship test, remember: Woodrow Wilson was President during World War I.
World War I lasted from 1914 to 1918. The United States entered the war in April 1917 and fought until the armistice in November 1918. Wilson’s presidency spanned the entire war, from its beginning through the peace negotiations.
Key facts about Wilson and the war:
- Kept America neutral from 1914-1917
- Asked Congress to declare war in April 1917 after German aggression
- Led the U.S. war effort coordinating military, economic, and diplomatic actions
- Promoted “Fourteen Points” for peace based on democracy and self-determination
- Negotiated Treaty of Versailles ending the war in 1919
- Advocated for League of Nations to prevent future wars
Why World War I Started
World War I began in Europe in August 1914. The war had complex causes:
Alliances: European nations formed two opposing alliance systems. Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire (Central Powers) opposed Britain, France, Russia, and eventually Italy (Allied Powers). These alliances meant a local conflict could expand into continental war.
Militarism: European nations built large armies and navies, creating arms races that increased tensions.
Imperialism: Competition for colonies and resources created conflicts between European powers.
Nationalism: Intense national pride and ethnic tensions, especially in the Balkans, created instability.
Assassination: The immediate trigger was the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist in June 1914. Austria-Hungary’s response triggered the alliance system, and war spread across Europe.
By August 1914, most of Europe was at war. The conflict became a brutal stalemate with trench warfare, new weapons like machine guns and poison gas, and massive casualties.
Wilson’s Neutrality (1914-1917)
When war began, Wilson declared American neutrality. He believed America should stay out of European conflicts. Most Americans agreed. They had no desire to fight in a distant war.
Wilson won reelection in 1916 partly on the slogan “He kept us out of war.” Americans appreciated Wilson’s neutrality policy. But maintaining neutrality became increasingly difficult.
German Submarine Warfare: Germany used submarines (U-boats) to blockade Britain. U-boats sank merchant ships, including ships carrying American passengers and goods. The sinking of the British passenger liner Lusitania in May 1915, killing 128 Americans, outraged the American public.
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: In January 1917, Germany announced unrestricted submarine warfare, attacking any ship in British waters without warning. This directly threatened American shipping and lives.
Zimmermann Telegram: In January 1917, British intelligence intercepted a German telegram to Mexico proposing a German-Mexican alliance against the United States. Germany promised to help Mexico recover Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. When this telegram became public in March 1917, Americans were furious.
These events turned American opinion against Germany. Wilson could no longer maintain neutrality.
America Enters the War (1917)
On April 2, 1917, Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. In his war message, he said the world must be made “safe for democracy.” He argued that America fought not for conquest but for democratic principles and international peace.
Congress declared war on April 6, 1917. America began mobilizing:
Military Mobilization: The U.S. implemented a draft, eventually sending two million soldiers to Europe. General John J. Pershing commanded American forces (the American Expeditionary Force).
War Production: Factories shifted to producing weapons, ammunition, ships, and supplies. The government coordinated production through new agencies.
Financial Support: America provided loans to Allied powers, financing their war efforts.
Propaganda: The government launched campaigns promoting the war effort and encouraging Americans to support the war through buying bonds, conserving food, and maintaining morale.
American entry proved decisive. Fresh American troops, resources, and finances helped the exhausted Allied powers defeat Germany.
The War Ends (1918)
By late 1918, Germany faced defeat. American forces had turned the tide on the Western Front. Germany’s allies had collapsed. The German home front suffered from shortages and war weariness.
On November 11, 1918, Germany signed an armistice (ceasefire) ending the fighting. The war was over. The Allied powers had won.
The cost was staggering. About 10 million soldiers died worldwide. Millions more were wounded. Entire generations of young men were destroyed. The war devastated Europe economically and psychologically.
American casualties were significant though less than European losses: about 116,000 American soldiers died (half from combat, half from disease). Hundreds of thousands more were wounded.
Wilson’s Fourteen Points
In January 1918, before the war ended, Wilson outlined his vision for peace in a speech to Congress. He presented “Fourteen Points” that should guide peace negotiations:
Key principles included:
- Open diplomacy: No secret treaties
- Freedom of the seas: Ships could travel freely
- Free trade: Reducing economic barriers between nations
- Arms reduction: Decreasing military buildups
- Self-determination: People choosing their own governments
- League of Nations: An international organization to prevent future wars
Wilson believed these principles would create a just and lasting peace. He thought the war had been caused by old diplomatic practices, secret alliances, and imperial competition. His Fourteen Points aimed to replace these with democratic principles and international cooperation.
Treaty of Versailles (1919)
Wilson traveled to Paris for peace negotiations, the first sitting president to visit Europe. He hoped to implement his Fourteen Points. But the reality was more complicated.
Harsh Terms for Germany: Britain and France wanted to punish Germany severely. The final treaty required Germany to accept blame for the war, pay massive reparations, lose territory, and reduce its military. These harsh terms went beyond what Wilson wanted.
Territorial Changes: The treaty redrew Europe’s map, creating new nations from the collapsed German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and Ottoman empires. Wilson supported self-determination, but the actual boundaries created problems.
League of Nations: Wilson achieved his goal of creating the League of Nations, an international organization designed to prevent future wars through collective security and diplomacy.
Wilson compromised on many points to secure the League of Nations, believing it was essential to preventing future wars.
Senate Rejection
Wilson returned to America expecting Senate approval of the Treaty of Versailles. But the Senate, controlled by Republicans, opposed the treaty, especially the League of Nations provisions.
Reservations: Senator Henry Cabot Lodge led opposition. He proposed “reservations” (amendments) to the treaty, particularly protecting American sovereignty and Congress’s war powers. Lodge worried the League might force America into unwanted wars.
Wilson’s Refusal: Wilson refused to accept Lodge’s reservations. He believed they would weaken the League fatally. Wilson wanted the treaty approved without changes.
Campaign and Stroke: Wilson traveled across America campaigning for the treaty. The strain damaged his health. In September 1919, Wilson suffered a severe stroke that partially paralyzed him. His wife and doctors concealed the extent of his disability.
Senate Votes: The Senate voted on the treaty twice in November 1919 and once in March 1920. Each time it failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority. Different factions opposed it for different reasons, and Wilson’s refusal to compromise doomed the treaty.
America never joined the League of Nations. The Senate’s rejection was a major defeat for Wilson and changed the course of international relations.
Wilson’s Legacy
Wilson’s presidency had mixed results:
Successes:
- Led America successfully through World War I
- Articulated democratic principles for international relations
- Promoted self-determination and democracy globally
- Expanded federal government’s role in the economy and society
Failures:
- Could not secure Senate approval for League of Nations
- Treaty of Versailles terms were too harsh on Germany, contributing to World War II
- Segregated federal government offices
- Suppressed civil liberties during and after the war
- Poor health in final years meant he couldn’t govern effectively
Wilson’s vision for international cooperation through the League of Nations eventually influenced creation of the United Nations after World War II.
Connections That Matter
Understanding Wilson’s presidency connects to American foreign policy. Wilson moved America toward greater international involvement, though the Senate’s rejection of the League temporarily returned America to isolationism.
Wilson relates to presidential war powers. He expanded presidential authority during wartime, establishing precedents for how presidents lead during national emergencies.
Wilson’s failure with the League of Nations connects to checks and balances. Even popular presidents cannot simply implement foreign policy. The Senate’s treaty power provides a check on presidential diplomacy.
For more on the presidency, see our article on what the President does in the uscis-questions category. To understand presidential war leadership, explore other wartime presidents. To learn about World War II, read about Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions
Why did America enter World War I?
German submarine warfare threatened American lives and shipping. The Zimmermann Telegram proposed a German-Mexican alliance against America. These acts made neutrality impossible.
How many Americans died in World War I?
About 116,000 American soldiers died: approximately 53,000 in combat and 63,000 from disease (especially the 1918 flu pandemic). Hundreds of thousands more were wounded.
What was the League of Nations?
An international organization designed to prevent wars through collective security, diplomacy, and dispute resolution. Wilson’s main goal for the peace, but America never joined.
Why did the Senate reject the Treaty of Versailles?
Republicans opposed League of Nations provisions, fearing loss of American sovereignty and unwanted foreign entanglements. Wilson refused to compromise on reservations. Different factions opposed the treaty for different reasons.
Did Wilson’s stroke affect his presidency?
Yes, severely. After his September 1919 stroke, Wilson was partially paralyzed and unable to govern effectively. His wife and staff concealed his condition. This prevented him from negotiating effectively with the Senate on the treaty.
Was Wilson a good president?
Historians debate this. Wilson had significant achievements but also serious failures. His progressive domestic reforms helped Americans. His war leadership was effective. But his racism, civil liberties violations, and failure with the League tarnish his record.
What happened to the League of Nations?
It existed from 1920-1946 but was ineffective without American participation. It failed to prevent World War II. After World War II, the United Nations replaced it, incorporating some of Wilson’s ideas but with stronger mechanisms.
Did World War I accomplish anything?
It defeated Germany and the Central Powers. It ended several empires and created new nations. But the peace settlement was flawed, contributing to World War II two decades later. Many see World War I as a tragic waste that could have been avoided.
How did World War I change America?
It established America as a world power with military and economic might. It expanded federal government authority. It created new agencies and increased taxes. It began America’s greater involvement in international affairs.
What should I memorize for the citizenship test?
Woodrow Wilson was President during World War I. This is the essential fact. Know that America entered the war in 1917 and that Wilson promoted the League of Nations after the war. This is sufficient for the test.