Question

I'm 1913, Woodrow Wilson broke with a custom dating back to Jefferson's day when he did what?

Answer 1

Woodrow Wilson broke with tradition by delivering his State of the Union address in person to Congress in 1913, aligning with his innovative approach to governance which included advocating for Progressive reforms and engaging in significant international diplomacy.

Step-by-step explanation:

In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson broke with a long-standing custom when he delivered his State of the Union address in person before a joint session of Congress. This act marked a change from the tradition that began with Thomas Jefferson, where the State of the Union address would be sent to Congress in written form. As a former academic and governor of New Jersey, Wilson brought new perspectives to the presidency, advocating for Progressive reforms and maintaining his belief in the importance of local control of government. Despite his preference for state-level reforms in such matters as labor laws and trust regulation, he was also a figure on the international stage, most notably in his efforts surrounding the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations after World War I.

Answer 2

In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson broke with a custom dating back to Thomas Jefferson's day when he personally delivered his State of the Union address to Congress. Before Wilson, presidents typically submitted their annual messages to Congress in writing. Thomas Jefferson had discontinued the practice of delivering the address in person, believing it resembled the British monarch's speech from the throne and was too monarchical. Wilson revived the tradition of speaking directly to Congress, believing it would help establish a more personal connection with lawmakers and better communicate his policy priorities.