Woodrow Wilson Research Paper

Metaxas Paper What makes a great man great? Some people would say that it is someone who has accomplished great things in spite of hardship, while others would say that it is someone who has a great character that serves to inspire others. These are both good explanations, but they can fail to consider that people who accomplish great things may not be doing the right things, and that people with good beliefs may not be putting them into action. Instead, a great man is someone who possesses both of these traits, and puts their beliefs into action. Looking throughout history, many of the greatest men strove to do what they believed in the face of adversity, not only for themselves, but for others as well. While there are many examples of this,

Like the others, this is seen in his life and actions. As the twenty-eighth President of the United States, he was not afraid to do what he needed to promote peace and neutrality, and he tried to do what he thought was best for everyone. Within the United States itself, Wilson oversaw the passage of several policies that, while politically debatable, were intended to benefit the common people. This culminated in the creation of the Federal Reserve System, and the Clayton Antitrust Act. With these policies, Wilson intended to prevent banks and businesses from controlling people, and instead put them at the people’s service. Wilson also became involved on the international level as a proponent of world peace. During the early years of WWI, he refused to become involved in the conflict, and instead did everything that he could to resolve it through diplomatic means. He took a staunch stance of neutrality, and is quoted as saying "the true spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of impartiality and fairness and friendliness to all concerned."(Wilson Library) Wilson was initially successful in his attempts at neutrality, and he was able to secure Germany’s pledge to not carry out any attacks against the United States. However, Germany failed to honor this agreement, and it was only then that Wilson became involved in the war. Wilson saw that if Germany was to succeed in their conquest, they would continue to spread violence throughout the world. Following the war, Wilson continued to do all he could to help establish international peace, and played a major role in the creation of the League of Nations. In doing all of this, Wilson shows what it means to be a great man. (Wilson