Essay/Term paper: Woodrow wilson and his ability to be an effective president

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Politics

Woodrow Wilson and His Ability To be an Effective President


During Woodrow Wilson's two terms in office he showed to be a great
democratic leader in many areas. He managed to accomplish a lot, despite his
poor health that he had to deal with since his childhood. Wilson always had a
strong interest in government and was always looking for changes and
improvements. As president he was never afraid to show a bit of a radical side
when it came to making changes. He was constantly pushing for world peace and
the avoidance of World War I. Even though he was unsuccessful in avoiding the
war he showed to be a great leader during it. He never gave up on anything he
was trying to do. His last years of his life were dedicated to convincing the
U.S. to join his League of Nations.

Woodrow Wilson was born December 28, 1856. Through his childhood he was
often sick. This did not keep him from building an interest in education. His
father and him would read out loud to each other and discuss the books. If they
were not reading often the two would sit and talk about recent events. He later
moved onto college and studied American and British political history, public
speaking, and law. After college he set up a law practice with Edward Renick.
Because he had not learned the field of law thorough while in school, he showed
a poor ability to be a lawyer. During this time he was in and out of sickness.

Wilson did not really want to be a lawyer. His main area of interest was
in politics. His first taste of politics was during his term as Governor of New
Jersey. He took this seat in office with sites of presidency two years later.
He let this be known in a letter he wrote to a friend in June of 1910. In the
letter he said this "It is immediately, as you know, the question of my
nomination for the governorship of New Jersey; but that it is the mere
preliminary of a plan to nominate me in 1912 for presidency."(Encarta 5).

During his years as governor he showed that he could change his political
attitudes. He learned to be a little more patient with other people. Before he
found it "very difficult to work with people who opposed him, and was not
receptive to the suggestions of friends who approved his ideals but trusted in
slower or modified processes"(Encarta 4). This was shown more during his time
of presidency at Princeton University. Wilson's more conservative student body
and faculty showed a dislike towards his radical ideas. They did not like the
ideas of changing the teaching style and living style. Because of this many of
his ideas were turned down.

When he first became president he pushed for equality of opportunity for
all men, no matter if they were rich or poor (Collier's 509). He presented many
new proposals to congress and often he presented these new proposals in person.
Wilson also created new agencies such as the Federal Reserve Board and the
Federal Trade Commission. He was also responsible for the ratification of the
18th Amendment. In 1920 during his second term, he passed the 19th Amendment
which allowed women to vote. During this time he was also pressured by the
southerners to allow segregation in Washington D.C. He said that this would be
in the best interests of the blacks.

Woodrow Wilson did how ever show weaknesses during his presidency.
During World War I he often took his time in making decisions. He wanted to
make sure that there wasn't any other way to avoid the war. This was good that
he was looking out after the interest of the country, but it could also have
made the war worse. Wilson also was thought to be a weak president by ex-
president Roosevelt (Encarta 6). During Roosevelt's time in office he helped
Panama succeed from Colombia in return for rights to build the Panama Canal
through their country. He thought it was very unnecessary to apologies to
Colombia for helping the succession of Panama. Roosevelt believed that it
showed Wilson's weaker side.

Wilson did show a strong side in one area, world peace. All through his
first term he aimed to prevent World War I. This was the war that was known as
"the ware that would end all wars". He kept the U.S. neutral and often visited
other countries trying to get them to agree on peace. Keeping the U.S. out of
war was a great accomplishment and helped him win the 1916 election. But during
his second term he found that he could not avoid the war any longer. The
German's had said that they would attack any ship at sea.

It was only a matter of time until the German's attacked a passenger boat
carrying war weapons. In this sinking 1100 civilians died, and in that eleven
hundred 128 were Americans. Even though he believed war was wrong he could not
let his personal feelings influence his decisions. He knew that this is what
America had to do, and with this decision he addressed the people and gave his
sympathies out to the families who had son's going to war (Collier's 510). On
April 2, 1917 the United States went to war.

The U.S. was not involved in the war that long on November 11, 1918 peace
was signed and the war was over. The president was quite happy with this and
presented a proposal that would help prevent war in the future. This proposal
was called Wilson's 14 Points. In these 14 points he suggests that a League of
Nations be formed. The League of Nations would have members from several
countries come together and discuss problems in the world. Many countries liked
the idea of a group who would try and prevent wars from happening. Wilson
pushed the United States to join but because congress did not want to get
involved in current affairs, they did not. Not giving up Wilson set out across
the U.S. to tell everyone about the League of Nations and his 14 points. During
this time he fought sickness, his wife continuously begged him to not travel
anymore and to go home and rest. But despite his poor health he continued to
travel America letting everyone learn more about the League of Nations. Soon
though
his health finally diminished so badly that he went back to Washington. After
a few days he seemed to be okay, but then he passed out. When he came back
around he was paralyzed. He remained in bed for half a year. When he finally
became well again it was too late, his health was to poor and he had become to
weak. People did not see

Wilson as the same man he used to be he was weak mentally and physically.
He fell into his last illness and died February 3, 1924.

Wilson was a very good leader during his terms of presidency. He showed
great enthusiasm to stay out of the war and to create world peace. He showed
that he cared for the people and that he would do just about anything to help
them. Wilson learned to except other peoples opinions and to be open to new
ideas from others. Even though war was not avoided he learned much from the
experience and helped to create the League of Nations. With the creation of the
League of Nations the United Nations was formed to take it's place. Wilson
helped to create many new amendments, policies and agencies. All of his idea's
were strong and even though some of them did work out, they helped to created
stepping-stones for the presidents that followed. Without Woodrow Wilson we
may not be the country that we are today.

Works Cited

1. Colleir's Encyclopedia, Vol. 23. Ed. Bernard Johnston. 1994. 509-510

2. Microsoft Encarta '97 Encyclopedia Deluxe Edition. Subject Search: Woodrow
Wilson. 1-15.