Collapse of Wilsonian World Order - Essay Example

? Collapse of Wilsonian World Order Collapse of Wilsonian World Order Introduction The Wilsonian or what is referred to as “new world order” is a philosophy that developed in the 20th century affecting the world politics and balance of authority. Various groups interpret this term differently but the main idea is related to the concept of global governance. This means a way of collective means of recognizing, understanding and even addressing world problems beyond the capability of individual countries. The earliest origins of this word came from Woodrow Wilson who was the 28th president of the United States in the period after the severe damage of the World War I. Wilson believed that world democracies like the United States had the mandate of ensuring world stability. The whole idea involves promotion of peace and togetherness within the society while dealing with destructive individuals. In this respect it is important to understand the Wilson new world order, its implications and why it collapsed (Dunwalke 2007, p.3). Theory The concept of “Wilsonism” came into being during the regime of Woodrow Wilson where he wrote fourteen points about the issue. These points aimed at pushing America to join the League of Nations after the serious destruction of the World War I. Many modern commentators and politicians have used the term after World War II to mean a “new world order” in a bid to emphasize this policy. In Wilson’s view, it was “The war to end all wars” and as such it became a strong motivator of enhancing international politics and changing the dynamics of the society (Goucher & Walton 2013, p.589). In this respect, the World War I was justified not to benefit any particular nation but instead as a way of making the world better and enhance democracy. Once the war was over, Wilson called for a new order that was beyond individual State superpower but instead he stressed the need for united security, democracy, and even self-determination. Self-determination meant that people in all countries of the world had the right to select their own authority and government for true democracy to grow. Wilson together with his them Secretary of State Bryan, believed that it was the responsibility of enlightened countries like America to protect democracy and liberate any people oppressed by regimes in their countries (Dunwalke 2007, p.3). The foreign policy that Wilson adopted was not only for protecting American welfare but instead his aim is to secure the interest of the entire humanity. In this ideology, it was sensible for Wilson to support the issue of free trade and international business relations to liberate the world. One of his major sayings cites that trade is “great nurse of liberal ideas” which meant that people can grow and develop with good business relationships. In addition, he stressed the need to enhance the true economy of America and then introduce it into the national sphere through world markets to make the country a democracy whose presence could be felt. It was clear that Wilson supported the power of embracing republicanism, which promotes democracy. This was clear from the National Security proposal he generate titled Engagement and Enlargement which had three major ideas that included advocating democracy globally, sustenance of a ready military group to meet the needs of the country, and expand America economy through the concepts of international trade (Wilson 2006, p.67). Immediately after the World War I, safeguarding democracy across the globe for Wilson meant defending the young republics within Latin America that had suffered for many years from corrupt authorities and pressures coming from the European powers. It also required protecting these republic from American dominance as it was during the presidency of Roosevelt. Wilson was keen on this foreign policy such that he spent most of his first years in power combating Latin American problems. For instance, he pushed Congress to revoke the 1912 Panama Canal Act in which most of American ships were excused from paying to toll fee before going through it. In this respect, they made a treaty with the Colombian government to cancel Roosevelt’s actions that appeared aggressive since the American instigated Panama revolt of 1903 (Goucher & Walton 2013, p.590). Evidence The Wilisonian world order collapsed because the United States refused to become a member of the League of Nations. The League of Nations came into being acting as an international group while it the headquarters were in Geneva, Switzerland immediately the war had ended. It was created in order to be a forum where international conflicts can be resolved to avoid the rise of another war like the First World War. The League of Nations was initially proposed by the then President Woodrow Wilson which included the fourteen points he had composed in an effort to generate peace and democracy across the world. The League of Nations main agenda was to ensure that all nations had mutual political independence regardless of their size. Wilson believed that the league would ensure international cooperation, restore peace among nations, offer security, and extension of trade between all countries. The European region had been destroyed and exhausted after four years of war and the league was a plan to deal with such disputes that resulted in the war that occurred in 1914. The Wilsonian new world order was popular among the European nations but even with President Wilson popularizing it, United States senate refused to approve it (Kellogg 2003, p.231). The United States congress led by the Foreign Relations Committee, Henry Cabot Lodge rejected various ideas within the league. The main reason for rejecting the league by Congress was the perception that it would subject United States to a large expensive international organization that would minimize the country’s capability to defend its interests. For instance, there was a provision in the league that required participants to defend the territorial honor of other league members when need be. In reality, Wilson and league supporters saw an opportunity of an international organization that aimed at working towards peace, democracy and tranquility of the society. On the other hand, opponents in Congress feared that there would be consequences of United States to get involved in European messy politics that had resulted in a world war. The United States valued it sovereignty and autonomous position while avoiding any commitments that are outside of the Western Hemisphere. In addition, Wilson and Lodge did not like each other on a personal level and Wilson refused to compromise on some of the changes that congress suggested. In a congress vote that occurred in March 1920, the treaty for the League of Nations was defeated by 49-35 votes (Kellogg 2003, p.231). This defeat meant that the United States did not join the League of Nations and this was a blow since it was among the largest economies at the time. When Wilson became ill and he was leaving office, Warren Harding was elected for campaigning against the league but he managed to have United States and Germany sign a different agreement that was favorable for the country. The failure of the U.S to join the league forced its disintegration and many historians believe that it would have been successful if they had joined. In this way, its failure meant that Wilsoan new world order failed to materialize and later the World War II began (Price 2007, p.252). Analysis It is clear Wilsonian world order originated with President Wilson in a move he saw that peace and democracy would be observed across the world. He launched a countrywide tour promoting the League of Nations to persuade American to be part of this treaty. This league was disregarded and rejected by the United States senate and in this way they passed on joining the treaty agreement. This led to the collapse of the League of Nations since America was a huge nation and an emerging economy whose support was missing. The United States contribution to the league would have affected its survival and prosperity in many ways. This is because America was a country that did not get involved in the World War I until later on and therefore, their influence of keeping away from conflicts would have been influential in ensuring strong peace agreements. It is evident that their rejection of the league disintegrated the European powers since it was a huge player in the world economy. It would have been easier for the league to strengthen with a strong emerging economy like America offering support and resources for its growth (Digital History, n.d.). The American population was actually against the League of Nations since many of them were immigrants and did not wish to see another war like the one that had caused the death of millions. This is how the Wilsonian new order failed to materialize even as President Wilson campaigned to persuade the public who would eventually sway their senators. The American public was not siding with the president and this was clear with the election of Warren who was against the league. The public viewed this treaty as if it is another European typical political conspiracy as it had occurred in previous wars and not really a peace settlement. They felt that by signing and agreeing to join the treaty, they would be in an agreement to resolve international issues regardless of the cost. Additionally, it was evident that America had achieved its success as an economy autonomously therefore, freedom was one of their self-interests and powers like Britain and French could take advantage of this treaty. These factors therefore, contributed to the fall and collapse of the Wilsonian world order which Wilson had initiated (Digital History, n.d.). Conclusion The Wilsonian world order originated with the 28th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson in an era when a serious World War I had just ended. The major concept of this order was having a collective method of curbing and addressing world problems. Wilson used the words “The war to end all wars” as a way to emphasize the need for all democracies to work together and enhance international politics. This foreign policy was not only for safeguarding the needs and interests of American people but for ensuring prosperity of the entire humanity. However, the Wilsonian world order did not materialize since the United States rejected the League of Nations that was meant to deal with international disputes. The United States Congress voted against this treaty and Wilson fourteen strategies of ensuring international peace and tranquility did not prosper. The America public did not have faith in the League of Nations because many were skeptical of European genuine need for peace within the region. References Dunwalke, E. (2007). The Wilsonian Moment : Self-Determination and the International Origins of Anticolonial Nationalism. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Digital History. (n.d.) Woodrow Wilson and the League of Nations. Retrieved from: < http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/teachers/lesson_plans/pdfs/unit8_12.pdf> Goucher, C., & Walton, L. (2013). World History: Journeys from Past to Present - VOLUME 2: From 1500 CE to the Present. London, UK: Routledge. Kellogg, W. (2003). American History the Easy Way. Hauppauge, New York: Barron's Educational Series. Price, M. (2007). The Wilsonian Persuasion in American Foreign Policy. Amherst, New York: Cambria Press. Wilson, W. (2006). Woodrow Wilson: Essential Writings and Speeches of the Scholar-president. New York: NYU Press. Read More