Inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, was inaugurated for his first term on March 4, 1913, and for his second term on March 5, 1917. As a leader during World War I and an advocate for the League of Nations, Wilson’s presidency significantly impacted American history and pop culture.

• First Inauguration: Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated for his first term on March 4, 1913. He had won the election of 1912 as the Democratic nominee, defeating incumbent Republican President William Howard Taft and Progressive Party candidate Theodore Roosevelt.
• Second Inauguration: Wilson was reelected in 1916 with the campaign slogan “He kept us out of war,” emphasizing his efforts to maintain American neutrality during World War I. He was inaugurated for his second term on March 5, 1917.
• Notable Policies and Actions: Some of the significant events and policies during Wilson’s presidency include:
  • The Federal Reserve Act (1913), which established the Federal Reserve System
  • The Clayton Antitrust Act (1914), strengthened antitrust laws and protected labor rights
  • American entry into World War I (1917), following Germany’s resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare and the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram
  • Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918), a blueprint for peace after World War I
  • Advocacy for the League of Nations, which the United States ultimately did not join due to opposition in the Senate
• Trivial Facts: Woodrow Wilson was the first president to deliver his State of the Union address in person since John Adams. He was also the only U.S. president to hold a Ph.D., earning one in political science from Johns Hopkins University.
• Effects on Pop Culture: Wilson’s presidency saw an increased role for the United States on the world stage. His vision of international cooperation through the League of Nations inspired the concept of a global community working together to maintain peace, which has continued to influence pop culture through films, literature, and other media. The World War I era also marked a significant shift in American culture, with women’s suffrage, Prohibition, and the Great Migration of African Americans to the North.
• Prominent People and Countries Involved: During Wilson’s presidency, key figures included Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, who resigned in 1915 over concerns about U.S. involvement in World War I, and Secretary of State Robert Lansing, who played a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. During Wilson’s tenure, major countries involved in World War I included the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and Italy.

Woodrow Wilson’s presidency marked a transformative period in American history, with significant domestic and international policies shaping the nation’s role on the global stage. His advocacy for the League of Nations and leadership during World War I continue to impact American culture and the broader global community.