Woodrow Wilson was one of those US presidents who took real steps to prevent war. His social reforms were also highly effective. Wilson's political career became bright and memorable. His merits were appreciated by his compatriots: Wilson was elected twice as President of the United States.
Woodrow Wilson's parents
Thomas Woodrow Wilson (1856 - 1924) was born in Staunton, Virginia, USA. His father Joseph Wilson was a Doctor of Divinity. The first name of the future president of the United States was the mother's surname - Janet Woodrow.
Both Irish and Scottish blood flowed in Woodrow Wilson's veins. Wilson's father's parents at one time moved to America from Northern Ireland. Thomas's grandfather settled in Ohio, where he published a newspaper in defense of blacks. His son Joseph chose as his wife a native of English Carlyle Janet Woodrow, whose surname roots were Scottish.
Joseph did not follow in the footsteps of his abolitionist father. Moving with his wife to the South, he acquired slaves and became a staunch defender of slavery. However, the father of the future president was known as a man of humane views: he even organized something like a Sunday school for his slaves.
During the Civil War, Woodrow Wilson's parents sided with the Confederacy. At the church, they opened a hospital for those who were injured during the hostilities. Subsequently, Joseph even joined the Confederate army as a military chaplain.
Woodrow Wilson's childhood
The most vivid childhood memory of Woodrow Wilson was his meeting with the famous General Lee. Thomas did not know how to read until he was about 12 years old. And in general, he experienced certain difficulties during training. Later, he had to make a lot of effort to fill the gaps in education and smooth out the gap in studies.
At first, Thomas was taught by his father, later he began to attend school. In 1873, Woodrow Wilson went to college to train clergy for the Presbyterian Church.
Two years later, Thomas became a student at Princeton University. It was here that he became interested in history, philosophy and politics. Becoming an active participant in the student circle, Woodrow Wilson subsequently organized a discussion club himself.
Young lawyer
Thomas's health was weakened by a long illness. For this reason, Thomas left his studies and moved home. There he continued his studies on his own. He studied with diligence, which allowed him to successfully pass the test for the right to practice law. As a result, Woodrow Wilson became a full partner of one of his classmates: he already had an extensive legal practice.
The young lawyer had to deal with the fiercest competition in the legal services market. Thomas quickly ran out of strength and became disillusioned with jurisprudence.
Academic career
In 1883, he left his career as a lawyer without regret and took up academic science. His goal was to obtain a Ph. D. degree. Two years later, Woodrow Wilson's book was published, in which the idea of reforming state power and its strengthening was substantiated. Thomas was awarded a special prize for this work.
Subsequently, Woodrow Wilson taught history and political science at Princeton University. In 1902 Woodrow Wilson became the head of this educational institution.
Career in politics
A well-known public figure, Woodrow Wilson took over as governor of the American state of New Jersey in 1910. He did not bother to follow the line of his party, but preferred to make decisions according to his inner convictions. Wilson introduced a number of important social laws. In particular, he offered to insure workers against accidents. These measures made Wilson very popular even outside his home state.
As governor, Woodrow Wilson made a successful attempt to ascend to the presidency of the United States from the Democratic Party. The election result was impressive, with the Democratic candidate winning over 40 percent of the vote. Woodrow Wilson won brilliant victories in most states.
Wilson became the only American head of state to hold a doctorate. During his first presidential term, he carried out large-scale reforms in the economy. Woodrow Wilson created a federal reserve system, carried out reforms in the banking sector.
In foreign policy, the southerner president tried to maintain neutrality. Woodrow Wilson saw his main foreign policy task in preventing the country from being drawn into the First World War.
In 1916, Woodrow Wilson re-ran for the presidency. His program was distinguished by its peacefulness. Against the backdrop of patriotic sentiments and calls to enter the war, Wilson managed to win, although it was not impressive. The counting was controversial and took longer than usual.
Wilson spent his second presidential term focusing his efforts on the war, which America nevertheless entered in 1917. He did not conclude agreements in Great Britain and France, but preferred to act independently.
In January 1918, Wilson gave a speech to Congress, where he formulated the famous "Fourteen Points" - theses on the goals of war. The president's speech sparked controversy among his allies and opponents. Wilson himself saw in his theses the way to end the war and achieve a just peace for all its participants.
In recent years as president, Wilson has lost the support of many of his political supporters.
At the end of life
In 1919, Woodrow Wilson fell seriously ill and suffered a stroke. The result was paralysis and partial loss of vision. For several months, Wilson could only move in a wheelchair. Later he began to walk with a cane. In fact, the first lady, assisted by advisers, took over the presidency.
In 1921, Woodrow Wilson and his wife left the White House. Wilson died in 1924. Buried in Washington.
Woodrow Wilson's personal life
Woodrow Wilson was married to Ellen Exxon, who gave him three daughters. She became the first wife of the president. Ellen passed away in 1914 after a long illness. Before her death, she asked her husband to marry a beautiful and worthy woman. Edith Bolling Gault became the second wife of Wilson. In this marriage, Wilson and his wife had no children.
