Born on Dec. 29, 1856 in Staunton, Virginia, Woodrow Wilson was the first son of Jessie Janet Wilson and Joseph Ruggles Wilson. Growing up in a poor rural area, Wilson largely taught himself how to read. In 1873, Wilson attended a year at Davidson College but left due to illness. After recovering, Wilson transferred as a freshman to Princeton University and, after four years of studying history, received a bachelor's degree in political science. He then studied at the University of Virginia for a year. Wilson would eventually receive a PhD of Political Science in 1883 from Johns Hopkins University.
In 1883, Wilson fell in love with his first wife Ellen Louise Axson. Ellen and Woodrow had three children together; Margaret Woodrow Wilson, Jessie …show more content…
In his first year as president, the 50th anversity of the Battle of Gettysburg rolled around. In remembrance of the falling soldier on both sides, Woodrow Wilson gave an address at Gettysburg in 1913. During the speech, he does not just give remarks about the sacrifices that the Civil War soldiers gave but, also what the fifty years since the battle has meant to America. Another time when Woodrow Wilson used as his role of Chief of State, was when he set the date of Thanksgiving Day in 1914. He designated Thursday the 26th of November to be Thanksgiving for that year. Being a highly religious man, Wilson writes about how Thanksgiving should not just be a day to have a large family gathering but, more importantly, a holiday where people should give thanks to the Lord for all he has done for America. In 1913, Wilson gave a speech at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. He reflects on the years he spent was the President of Princeton College. He also inspires the students at the college to push past their limits, not just for their well-being, but also for the good of America. This was reoccurring theme throughout many of Woodrow Wilson’s speeches, he would continually push the common man past his previous limits for the betterment of America. Woodrow Wilson took great pride in his role as the Chief of …show more content…
In 1914, World War 1 brought out across Europe. The Central Powers were fighting a two front war against Britain and France on the Western Front and Russia on the Eastern Front. Both sides urged Woodrow Wilson to declare war on the other opposing side. But miraculously, Wilson ignored the Allies’ and Central Power’s requests and keep America neutral. By staying neutral, America was able to benefit economically from trade with both sides and not lost a single man in the war. Though staying neutral was benfitional to America, it wore on Woodrow Wilson and the American people. Many Americans had either recently emigrated from Europe or, were first generation Americans whose family originated from a country fighting in the war. Also, the Germans’ use of U-boats sparked terror in the hearts of U.S. citizens. By April 1917, Wilson could no longer ignore the urges to join the war. He appeared in front of Congress on April 2, 1917 and asked Congress to declare war against Germany and the Central Powers. Soon after the “dough boys” (a nickname for the WWI American soldiers) joined the war, the Allies signed an armistice with the Central Powers. The Allies then began to write a treaty for the Central Powers to sign. Woodrow Wilson traveled over to Europe to help create the treaty, Wilson hoped to place his fourteen points into the treaty. Wilson strongly