Yes, Woodrow Wilson did oversee the
purging of the federal workforce, particularly during the early years of his presidency. This involved a significant
policy of racial segregation that was implemented within federal agencies.
When Wilson took office in 1913, he made changes to the federal workforce, particularly regarding
African American employees. While the civil service system had provided some protection against political patronage, Wilson's administration implemented a series of measures that led to
the systematic segregation of federal offices. This meant that many African American employees were
moved out of certain jobs or segregated into different departments or buildings.
Some key points related to this are:
- Segregation Policies: Wilson and his administration, including figures like his Treasury Secretary Carter Glass, supported the idea of segregation in federal offices, which was a reversal from some of the policies of the previous administration. Many African American employees were moved into lower-level, less visible positions or forced to leave federal employment altogether.
- Impact on African American Workers: The policy led to the dismissal of many African Americans from federal jobs and also created new barriers to hiring Black employees for positions in the federal government. By 1914, African Americans were increasingly excluded from many federal agencies.
- Wilson's Support for Segregation: Wilson himself was sympathetic to the views of Southern segregationists, and his administration’s policies reflected that. He believed that separating African Americans and white employees in the government would help reduce tensions.
- Public Reaction: These actions were controversial, and many African American leaders, including W.E.B. Du Bois, strongly opposed Wilson's stance. Du Bois and others advocated for the inclusion of Black Americans in federal service, arguing that Wilson’s policies were a betrayal of the principles of equality and civil rights.
Overall, the purge of African American federal workers under Wilson marked a significant period of racial discrimination in U.S. government employment and is seen as one of the darker aspects of his presidency. This policy would remain in place throughout much of his time in office, contributing to the racial inequalities that persisted in the federal government for years.
.png)
.png)
web.archive.org
