He has kept us out of war
On April 6, 1917 (95 years ago today), President Woodrow Wilson received approval from both houses of Congress to enter the First World War, which he had requested four days earlier on April 2nd. It was ironic, given that Wilson had gained re-election just five months before on the promise of "keeping us out of war." Wilson became popular and was re-elected, thanks in part to this strong slogan. Keeping America out of World War One during his first administration was no small feat. He was pro-military readiness and neutrality over armed confrontation, according to his propagandists, having grown up during the Civil War and witnessed the horrors of battle.
His Republican opponent, Charles Hughes, was understandably critical, but Wilson prevailed by nearly 600,000 votes. His anti-war position was popular with voters. So, what makes this slogan unsuitable? Within five months of being re-elected, Wilson led America to war, dispatching American troops to distant European battlefields. According to supporters, Germany forced him to choose. However, the move helped to further his concept of "a universal association of nations," which he submitted to Congress in 1918.
Some information about Woodrow Wilson:
- Born: December 28, 1856, Staunton, Virginia, USA
- Date of death: February 3, 1924
- 28th President of the United States
