Comparing Racial Attitudes of Warren Harding and Woodrow Wilson: A Comprehensive Analysis

This article delves into a comparison of the racial attitudes and policies of two notable U.S. presidents: Warren G. Harding and Woodrow Wilson. While both presidents held some form of racial biases, Woodrow Wilson's actions and policies significantly exceeded those of Harding, making him the more egregious figure in this context.

Introduction to Warren G. Harding and Woodrow Wilson

Warren G. Harding, the 29th president of the United States, served from 1921 to 1923. Harding was often criticized for his shortcomings in leadership, particularly in his handling of scandals during his administration. On the other hand, Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president, served from 1913 to 1921. Wilson was known for his progressive policies and his personal contributions to international diplomacy.

Evaluating the Racial Attitudes of Warren G. Harding

Warren G. Harding, despite his popularity and managerial skills, had significant flaws that were particularly evident in his racial attitudes.

Relative Inaction: Harding did not actively work to rearrange the federal government to cater to his racial biases. He did not take overt actions to promote racist policies or facilitate segregation in the government.

Limited Public Statements: Harding was not outspoken on racial issues and did not engage in public declarations or statements that could be seen as explicitly racist. For instance, he did not screen the film “Birth of a Nation” at the White House and declare it ‘all too true’ as some of his predecessors and contemporaries might have done.

Flawed Leadership: While Harding's governance had significant shortcomings, including corruption and inefficiencies, his racial attitudes were less extreme compared to Wilson's.

Assessing the Racial Attitudes of Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson, appointed as the 28th president in 1913, was widely condemned for his deeply entrenched racist beliefs and policies.

Native Virginian: Wilson was a native Virginian and described as a “shameless white supremacist.” He actively enforced and promoted segregationist policies throughout his presidency.

Institutional Policies: Wilson issued numerous policies to remove African Americans from civil service positions, leading to a significant decrease in the number of black government employees. This action fundamentally distorted the federal workforce's racial composition.

Enforcing Segregation: Wilson actively enforced strict segregation in the District of Columbia, implementing policies that segregated public facilities, housing, and employment. His presidency saw the establishment of Jim Crow laws and practices in federal institutions.

Exhibitionist Propaganda: Wilson screened the film “Birth of a Nation” at the White House, describing it as a ‘‘remarkable artistic achievement.” This screening was not just a cultural event but a political one, aimed at promoting the idea that black people were inferior and dangerous.

Conclusion: Wilson's Demonic Characteristics in Comparison to Harding's Flaws

While both Harding and Wilson had their flaws, the comparison between their racial attitudes and policies highlights the stark differences in their approach. Harding's racial biases, though problematic, were more ameliorated than those of Woodrow Wilson, who demonstrated overt and institutional racism.

It is clear that while Harding was a flawed leader and did not completely avoid engaging in racism, his actions were not as extreme or as institutional in nature compared to those of President Wilson. Wilson’s leadership was characterized by a systemic and comprehensive embrace of white supremacy, a trait that made him the more demonic figure in this comparison.

Related Keywords

Woodrow Wilson Warren Harding Racial attitudes Segregation Jim Crow

Further Reading

For further insight into the racial attitudes of these United States presidents and other historical figures, we recommend the following resources:

Woodrow Wilson and Racism Warren Harding Library of Congress for Woodrow Wilson Black History at the Presidency