Woodrow Wilson was nominated for president at the 1912 Democratic Convention. His presidential campaign was known as the New Freedom, and revolved around banking reforms, business reforms and tariff reductions. Though he received only 42 per cent of the popular vote, he received an overwhelming electoral vote that assured his victory.
Woodrow Wilson was first noted by the Democrats due to his growing national reputation. He first ran for the governor of New Jersey. Before beginning a career in politics, he worked as a professor and practiced law.
Wilson did a good job with the Congress; he helped bring about shorter work days, and made it possible for farmers to get loans. He was against child labour and kept children from working in dangerous jobs. However, his hope to keep America out of the First World War did not bear fruit.
The war got worse. After a policy of neutrality at the outbreak of World War I, Wilson led America into war. Wilson stated American war aims known as the Fourteen Points. It was a plan to end secret agreements between nations; it would also establish a general association of nations that would make way for mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to all states alike.
Wilson fought for the creation of the League of Nations. It was an organization of countries that would find peaceful solutions to conflicts. The League later led to the formation of the United Nations.
Wilson suffered a severe stroke in October 1919 and was incapacitated for the remainder of his presidency.
Wilson retired from public office in 1921 and died in 1924. Scholars have generally ranked Wilson as one of the most effective U.S. presidents.
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