Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States.
He sat in the Oval Office from 1913 to 1921. It’s a pretty straightforward answer, but honestly, the "number" is the least interesting thing about him once you start peeling back the layers of his legacy. He wasn't just another name on a list of guys in suits. He was a guy who reshaped how the U.S. looks at the world, for better or worse.
Most people remember him for World War I or maybe that League of Nations stuff you had to memorize in high school. But if you're asking what number of president was woodrow wilson, you're probably trying to place him in the timeline of American history. He came right after William Howard Taft and right before Warren G. Harding. He was the bridge between the "old world" of the 19th century and the hyper-connected, messy global superpower we became in the 20th.
The 28th President: A Breakdown of the Timing
Wilson’s presidency didn't happen in a vacuum. To understand why being the 28th president was such a pivot point, you have to look at the chaos of the 1912 election. It was wild. You had Taft (the incumbent), Theodore Roosevelt (running as a third-party "Bull Moose" candidate), and Wilson. Because the Republicans split their vote between Taft and TR, Wilson—a Democrat and former president of Princeton University—walked right into the White House.
He served two full terms.
Eight years.
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His first term was largely about domestic stuff. Think the Federal Reserve Act. That’s why your dollar bills look the way they do and why interest rates are a constant topic on the news today. He also gave us the Federal Trade Commission. Basically, he wanted to "square the circle" of capitalism by adding rules to the game. Then, his second term was almost entirely consumed by the "Great War."
Why the "28th" Slot is a Historical Tipping Point
Before Wilson, the U.S. was kinda isolationist. We stayed in our lane. After Wilson? We were the world's policeman. That shift is the defining characteristic of the 28th presidency.
The Fourteen Points and a New World Order
Wilson wasn't just a politician; he was an academic. He had these big, idealistic ideas. His "Fourteen Points" were supposed to be the blueprint for world peace. He truly believed he could end all wars. It sounds naive now, doesn't it? But back then, after the slaughter of millions in the trenches of Europe, people were desperate for that kind of hope.
He pushed for the League of Nations. Ironically, while he convinced the world it was a good idea, he couldn't convince his own country. The U.S. Senate rejected it. They didn't want to be tied to Europe's problems. This failure broke Wilson, both politically and physically. He suffered a massive stroke in 1919 that was kept secret from the public for a long time. His wife, Edith, basically ran the country for the remainder of his term.
The Complicated Reality of Wilson’s Legacy
We have to be honest here. While Wilson was an "idealist" on the world stage, his domestic record on race is, frankly, grim. This is where the "expert" view gets nuanced. For a long time, history books painted him as a pure progressive.
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But historians like John Milton Cooper and Eric Foner have highlighted the darker side. Wilson oversaw the re-segregation of many federal agencies in Washington D.C. He famously screened The Birth of a Nation—a film that glorified the KKK—at the White House. He told black leaders who protested his policies that "segregation is not a humiliation but a benefit."
It’s a massive contradiction.
How can a man fight for "self-determination" for nations in Europe while suppressing the rights of citizens at home? This is why, when you look up what number of president was woodrow wilson, you’ll see his name being removed from buildings at Princeton and elsewhere in recent years. Being number 28 comes with a lot of baggage.
What Wilson Changed Forever
If you use a bank, pay income tax (the 16th Amendment was ratified just as he took office), or watch the U.S. intervene in foreign conflicts, you are living in Wilson’s world.
- The Federal Reserve: He signed the bill in 1913. It created the central banking system. Without it, the modern economy literally doesn't function.
- Women’s Suffrage: Wilson was originally "meh" on the idea, but the suffragettes (led by people like Alice Paul) pressured him relentlessly. Eventually, he supported the 19th Amendment as a "war measure."
- The Executive Power: He shifted the presidency from a secondary branch to the primary driver of policy. He was the first president since John Adams to personally deliver the State of the Union address to Congress. He wanted to be seen. He wanted to lead.
Putting the 28th President in Perspective
When you compare him to the guys around him—Taft (27) or Harding (29)—Wilson stands out like a sore thumb. Taft was a literal giant of a man who just wanted to be a judge. Harding was a "return to normalcy" guy who got caught up in scandals. Wilson was different. He was intense. He was a moralist.
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He believed he was right, even when everyone told him he was wrong.
That stubbornness led to his greatest achievements and his most stinging defeats. It’s why he’s usually ranked in the top 10 or 15 presidents by historians, even with the heavy criticism of his racial policies. You can't ignore the impact, even if you don't like the man.
A Quick Timeline of the 28th Presidency
- 1912: Wins the election against a split GOP.
- 1913: Inaugurated; passes the Underwood Tariff and the Federal Reserve Act.
- 1914: WWI begins in Europe; Wilson declares neutrality.
- 1916: Wins re-election with the slogan "He Kept Us Out of War." (The irony is thick there).
- 1917: Asks Congress for a declaration of war against Germany.
- 1918: Delivers the Fourteen Points speech.
- 1919: Negotiates the Treaty of Versailles; suffers a debilitating stroke.
- 1920: The 19th Amendment is ratified; League of Nations is rejected by the U.S.
- 1921: Leaves office, replaced by Harding.
Actionable Insights for History Buffs
If you're digging into Wilson's life, don't just stop at the "28th" factoid.
Start by visiting the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum website. They have a massive digital archive. If you want to see the nuance for yourself, read his "Fourteen Points" speech and then look up the transcript of his meeting with civil rights leader William Monroe Trotter. The contrast is jarring, and it’s the best way to understand the complexity of American leadership in the early 20th century.
Also, check out the book Wilson by A. Scott Berg. It’s a deep, humanizing look at a man who was often seen as an "iceberg" by his peers.
Understanding Wilson isn't about memorizing a number. It's about seeing how one person's vision—and their blind spots—can change the trajectory of an entire planet. He was the 28th president, sure. But he was also the architect of the world we're still trying to navigate today.
To get a better grasp on this era, compare Wilson’s policies with those of Theodore Roosevelt. Look at their different approaches to "Trust Busting" and foreign intervention. This "New Nationalism" vs. "New Freedom" debate is basically the foundation of modern American political thought. You'll see that many of the arguments we're having today in 2026 actually started back in 1912.