by Gen
Wilson began his career practising law, but gave this up for acedemic life as a Professor of History and Political Economy at Bryn Mawr College, 1885-1888, Wesleyan University, 1888-1890, then as Professor of Jurisprudence and Politics, Princeton University, 1890-1910 (he was president of the University from 1902-1910). In 1911 taking another new turn, he was elected Democratic Governor of New Jersey.
He became president in 1913 and was re-elected in 1916 on the promise to keep the USA out of the First World War. In 1917, however, provoked Germany U-boat attack on American shipped and by German anti-America intrigues in Mexico, he persuaded Congress (the legislative body of the USA) to declare war on Germany.
He issued his famous 14 Points as a basis for a peace settlement in January 1918, and it was in the expectation that the peace settlement, including the Treaty of Versailles, which helped to negotiate in 1919, would be based upon national self-determination, but he was unable to impose his will on his allies, and the settlement was much harsher on Germany and its allies than Wilson had intended or expected.
He placed great hope in the idea of a League of Nations to settle international disputes peacefully, but he had underestimated the extent of opposition to the idea in the USA, where Congress voted to ratify the Treatyand therefore not join the League. Wilson's efforts to drum up popular support for the League broke his health, and he died in 1924.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
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