Introduction
Woodrow Wilson was elected President of the United States in 1912, despite not receiving a majority of the popular vote. President Wilson led the United States through World War I and crafted the Versailles Treaty’s “Fourteen Points,” the last of which was creating a League of Nations to ensure world peace. Perhaps the most Progressive of the Presidents, he also created the Federal Reserve and supported the 19th Amendment, ensuring that the right to vote could no longer be denied “on account of sex.”
Yet Thomas Woodrow Wilson’s administration became involved in two bloody civil wars in Mexico. At one point, it seemed as if relations between the two countries would collapse entirely when Wilson ordered General John J. Pershing to invade Mexico with the Punitive Expedition to find Mexican rebel Pancho Villa (he was never captured). Wilson also authorized the U.S. military occupations of Haiti, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. He passed the Espionage and the Sedition Acts, essentially curtailing Americans 1st Amendment Right to Free Speech, as well as the War Revenue Act, which increased the income tax to its highest level up to that period in time.
Despite Wilson’s belief in an ever expansive government, what many consider his worst attribute was his utter hatred for “people of color.”
Task
You are tasked with determining whether President Wilson should be admired or detested.
Process
Visit Google Classroom.
Prior to writing your 4-5 paragraph persuasive essay, read from the above links as well as the following:
- Presentation (Google Slides)
- “Woodrow Wilson was extremely racist — even by the standards of his time“
- 5 surprising facts about Woodrow Wilson and racism
- JUDGE WOODROW WILSON’S RACISM BY THE STANDARDS OF HIS TIME
- Woodrow Wilson: America’s Worst and First Fascist President
- America’s Worst President Ever
- Domestic Policy Achievements
If you feel that you need further information for understanding, use a metasearch such as Dogpile or Unabot, or a search engine/directory such as Google or Bing.
* Due tomorrow for points *