Impacts Of Woodrow Wilson

Between 1913-1921, Woodrow Wilson brought the United States through various different political, social, and economic changes predominantly in response to World War I. Woodrow Wilson focused predominantly on peace-making and neutrality for the United States at a time of brutality over in Europe. Despite this, as various threats and factors arose, he was ultimately forced to lead the U.S. into the war. These two periods of the United States caused both positive and negative effects to ensue within society which continued even after his presidency with the League of Nations, which, according to Wilson, continued with his attitude of solving conflict with peace and negotiation.

Politically, Wilson promoted a ‘New Freedom’ program in America,

In its early years, Wilson strongly stood by an isolationist and neutral position lasting until April 1917. This neutral position for America were ultimately tested by its leaning towards an Allied victory as evident in their extensive trading and provision of loans towards Allied countries. Peace efforts were repeatedly made by Wilson and American politicians, to no avail. Unfortunately, the use of German submarine warfare, and the Zimmermann Telegram of 1917, ultimately caused America to declare war against Germany on April 6th, 1917. Political enactments that ensued included the Sedition Act in May 1918, increasing censorship of media and anti-war activity and the use of propaganda, and the Selective Services Act of 1917 which forced the recruitment of all eligible American men aged 21-30 to fight in the war

His decision to remain neutral at the start of World War I were supported by society’s desire to achieve a progressive spirit where conflict could be resolved with peace. When America entered the war, significant social effects ensued for both African Americans and women. The Selective Services Act and its recruitment of American men into the war effort allowed jobs in the economy to become vacant, allowing minorities to take their place. Large populations of African Americans, who originally worked in agricultural jobs in rural areas, migrated to industrial areas in search for employment. In addition, the Selective Services act allowed African Americans to find employment through war recruitment, though in both situations, African Americans were put under racial bias. The role of women in America rose exponentially as they were able to gain employment via the Women’s Land Army and factories manufacturing war commodities. These advantages allowed minorities in American society to gain more social power which become catalysts for political acts, like the 19th Amendment, to be