Wilson's Idealism

In 1913, the twenty-eighth president of the United States, Thomas Woodrow Wilson, was elected into office. He was an Idealist who was all about keeping the United States out of war, and after the Spanish-American war came to a close, Americans were all about spreading the peace. Wilson saw the world in a visionary way and made some unpractical decisions throughout his presidency. This is not to say; however, that he did not also have practical ideas on controversial issues also. Wilson had many high-minded goals, but he also strived for greatness not only for himself, but for the greater good of the country. He express his idealistic nature in three major ways: through his domestic policies, his foreign policies and his need for a “war to end all wars.” In his first term as President, Wilson persuaded a Democratic Congress to pass major progressive reforms. Wilson successfully pushed a legislative agenda that few presidents have been able to accomplish due to his sincere and moral appealing nature. He was a very intelligent man who was able to sympathize with both sides to compel them to pass his reforms. This progressive agenda included the Federal Reserve Act, Federal Trade Commission Act, the Clayton Antitrust Act, the Federal Farm Loan Act and an income tax. Child labor was reduced and Wilson had Congress pass the Adamson Act, which imposed an 8-hour workday for railroads. Wilson also became a major advocate for the women's suffrage. Although Wilson promised African Americans 'fair dealing...in advancing the interests of their race in the United States" the Wilson administration implemented a policy of racial segregation for federal employees. He flourished on his initial intent to expand economical opportunity and keep everything fair for all people. Unlike Wilson’s predecessors, he had more moral principals on foreign affairs. Although he lacked experience, he was a good orator and changed the materialistic policies previous presidents had commenced.