Why is the contemporary Democratic Party’s heralding of President Woodrow Wilson ironic, given the party’s current ideology?
Explanation
Answer: B - Though the Democratic Party cites President Woodrow Wilson as one of its shining stars in the 20th century, his views on segregation and civil rights were wildly contrary to the party’s ideology for much of the century. Of course, it’s common for a past leader’s beliefs to conflict with the contemporary platform of his party. Both parties often overlook one or two ideological conflicts if the conflicting belief was fitting with its time. But Wilson’s racism and promotion of segregation were uncharacteristically harsh and militant, even for his time. Though he is generally associated with the State of New Jersey due to his presidency of Princeton University and governorship of the state prior to winning the U.S. presidency, Wilson was actually from Georgia, where his racist attitudes were cultivated. He intentionally deceived African-American voters into casting ballots for him in 1912 by promising an inclusive platform that he never intended to enact, then publicly chastised the duped voters for casting their ballots for him in the first place. His declaration exalting the “great¼empire” of the Ku Klux Klan (a murderous band of racist vigilantes) served as the introduction to the film Birth of a Nation. The film’s romanticization of the KKK inspired its rebirth after it had been dormant for nearly 50 years.
