Few American leaders have stirred more controversy than Woodrow Wilson, the 28th

President of the United States. Many admire him, many don't. But one point on which everyone

agrees is his profound impact on American history.

The reasons for the controversy and the impact are one and the same.

Wilson and his generation of leaders were the first to challenge the founding principles of the country.

It's not an exaggeration to say that Wilson turned them upside down.

As expressed in the Declaration of Independence,

the founders believed that individuals are born with certain

unalienable rights, and they framed the Constitution to protect those rights.

For Wilson, the time of individual rights had passed.

In his view, 18th century America had little relevance to early 20th century America.

The country, now much bigger and more complex,

required the guidance of a benevolent government.

America had literally outgrown the founders. Wilson's philosophy of which he was

a leading proponent was known as progressives

and Wilson proudly called himself progressive. Where did Wilson get these ideas?

From the place where he spent most of his life the halls of academia.

He was the only US president to come into office with a PhD.

Born in Stanton, Virginia on December 28, 1856,

Woodrow Wilson had two ambitions, to teach and to write.

He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton with the vague notion that he would become

a lawyer.

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