Who Was President During World War I
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Woodrow Wilson was the President of the United States throughout World War I (1914-1918).
Wilson was born in 1856 and served two terms as President, from 1913 – 1921. During his terms, he was instrumental in enacting world-changing legislation, such as the creation of the Federal Reserve System and the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
Although the United States remained neutral for the first two years of World War I, Wilson eventually moved towards a more engaged stance after a series of German offenses towards neutral countries, most notably a German attack on the U.S. Merchant ship RMS Lusitania.
In April 1917, Wilson called for a declaration of war against Germany and their allies. From that point on, America was firmly committed to helping the Allies defeat the Central Powers.
During the war, President Wilson worked closely with other world leaders, like David Lloyd-George (United Kingdom) and Georges Clemenceau (France), to create a post-war peace plan. He used these meetings to promote his famous ‘fourteen points’ speech, which proposed an international alliance based on the principles of self-determination and disarmament.
Although ultimately unsuccessful, Wilson’s plan was the basis for the League of Nations, a precursor to the United Nations.
Wilson saw the First World War through to the end, and was a vocal advocate for a lasting peace. For his actions in World War I and the subsequent peace effort, he received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1919.