Woodrow Wilson
As a candidate for United States president in 1912, Woodrow Wilson declared “America First.” He meant that he planned to keep America out of conflicts in Europe. But while Wilson was president, the United States entered World War I (1914-1918), a European war.
On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. Until then, the United States had declared itself neutral in World War I (1914-1918). The United States entered the war after Germany began sinking American ships.
United States President Woodrow Wilson, right, and European leaders attend a peace conference in 1919 after World War I. Wilson hoped his peace plan would prevent future wars. But the European leaders largely ignored Wilson. They thought he was a dreamer.
