Woodrow Wilson

Birth-Death: (1856 - 1924 ) Term: (1913-1921 )

The United States went through a period of nostaligic reform. Old ideas were merged with the new administration, resulting in four new amendments. Shortly after Wilson was elected for his first term, World War I broke out in Europe. The official reaction of the United States was neutrality. Things did not proceed along those lines, however. The United States was selling supplies to both sides of the war, and in doing so, was caught up in the war itself. The critical point was reached when victory was doubtful, and the United States wanted Great Britain to be on the winning side, as the U.S. had heavily invested in Great Britain's war efforts. In 1917, Congress declared war on Germany.

Chronology of Woodrow Wilson

1913 - 17th Amendment declares popular vote of Senators

1913 - The Federal Reserve System is created

1914 - World War I begins

1915 - First continental telephone

1915 - German U-boat sinks the British Lusitania

1917 - U.S. purchases Virgin Islands from Denmark

1917 - U.S. enters World War I

1918 - Wilson proposes Fourteen Points

1919 - 18th Amendment added, prohibition

1919 - World War I ends

1920 - League of Nations is established

1920 - 19th Amendment for women's suffrage