Woodrow Decision and American Foreign Policy Traditions - Essay Example

Woodrow Decision and American Foreign Policy Traditions Woodrow Decision and American Foreign Policy Traditions Woodrow Wilson is one of the most influential presidents of America foreign policy. He was a college professor and was elected in office in the year 1913. Woodrow dedicated his time and talents to accomplish domestic foreign agenda since he assumed that this would be a secondary concern. In addition, he acknowledged that it would be ironical for his administration to specifically deal with foreign policies. This irony was later realized because he rejected his predecessor’s dollar diplomacy. Dollar diplomacy suggested that USA should ensure stability in Latin and Caribbean countries so as to promote investment stability and ensure prosperity in these nations. He later supported private American companies but diplomacy was the highest priority. In 1913, he was really disturbed by Mexican violence and the arrest of US sailors that led him to send US troops across the border. World War 1 was the international event that took President Wilson concentration in Europe in the year 1914. He declared neutrality for USA and asked Americans to be impartial about this issue (Hastedt, 2004). The use of neutrality to approach this situation proved to be difficult. Trading during this period of war resulted to violation of America neutrality. British navy seized goods that were meant for Germany ports thus Germans retaliated leading to the death of Americans. In the year 1917, as German provocation increased, Wilson declared war on central powers. His actions were not only reactive but far from it since he quickly changed the foreign policyafter he took office.Even though he drew from durable USA tradition, Wilson’s agenda on foreign policy was very unique. His main agenda was to promote democracy, create global markets, and ensure there is peace by creating an active role for USA (Holsti, 2004). Sending of marine troops in Mexico and Haiti reflected these goals but his highest point reached when World War 1 erupted. The president declared that the world must be made a safe place for democracy. Once World War 1 broke out, he hoped to realize this agenda through fair peace treaty and creation of League of Nations. Wilson along with his secretary of state came into power with little experience on matters of foreign policy but he was determined to achieve his goals through moral principles rather than egocentric greediness that influenced his predecessors (McCormick, 2012). He was persuaded that egalitarianism was gaining strength and he believed that this process was going to be effective throughout the world. In the year 1916, the democratic side controlled congress and they promised to give Philippinesindependence. The following year, they ensured Puerto Rico gained territorial status as their citizen became US residents. By working closely with the secretary of state, Wilson was able to sign 20 bilateral treaties that agreed upon cooling off periods instead of using war. After taking office, he suggested that America will cultivate friendship and that it deserves confidence of Latin countries. He also proposed that governments should rest upon the agreement of those governed.In addition, Latin Americans were pleased by the fact that they could carry on ith their own matters without interference from America but Wilson emphasized that their governments should be democratic thus this destabilized the promise of self-government (McElroy, 2014). In the year 1916, he responded to persistent revolution of Haiti government by sending marine troops and he also did this to Dominican Republic. Military occupation that followed was unable to create democratic agenda, which was their main objective. In the year 1916, he practiced the old fashion way of imperialism by buying virgin lands from colonial dictators for 25 million dollars. Mexico created a unique problem for Wilson’s diplomacy. Mexico was under revolution since 1899 and in the year 1913, the country was ruled by a counter revolutionary general Victorian Huerta who was very authoritarian. Many European countries recognized the friendly opportunity of foreign investment offered by the general, but Wilson did not recognize a government that was contrary doing what its citizens want. He came up with a strategy that fortified anti- Huerta militaries in northern parts of Mexico, which Venustiano Carranza pioneered. In the year 1914, Mexico police arrested US sailors who were found at a prohibited area. Wilson took this opportunity to justify US navy inhabiting the Veracruz port city.This strategy weakened Huerto control over the country making him to hand over power to Carranza who was recognized as the defector president by Wilson (Palmer & Morgan, 2011). One of Carranza enemies, Pancho Villa, wanted to start a war between Carranza government and America by crossing the border and killing American citizens. Wilson without asking permission from Carranza sent 7000 US soldiers headed by General John to look for Villa. This expedition lead into a confrontation between Carranza government and American administration where men from both flanks were slayed and many Americans captured. Worried by the threat of having a war, Wilson stuck to his commitment of Mexico self-resolve and decided to discuss strategies of securing the Mexican border with Carranza government. In early 1917, Wilson withdrew all US soldiers from Mexico because he saw that America was still being dragged into European war. This decision coincided with an intercepted message to the German minister that suggested Mexico should be allies with Germany if they went to war with America. In return, Mexico was promised to regain New Mexico, Arizona, and California, which were ceded by America subsequent tothe Mexican conflict in 1848. The release of this telegram solidified US against Germany though Mexico had no intention of accepting Germany’s offer. Neutrality in World War 1 With the outbreak of Great War in Europe, Wilson appealed to all Americans to become neutral in this situation. He alleged that the conflict would leave 14 million white personslifeless by 1917 as it was caused by militant nationalism of European powers and their hatred to central and Eastern Europe. This conflict was lined with central powers that included Germany, Austria, Turkey, and Bulgaria on one side against U.K., France, Russia, as well as Serbia. It began with the killing of Archuduke Ferdinand of Austria by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo. This incident led to creation of demands and counter demands. Within months, a complex arrangement of secret treaties and alliances caught much of the world due to the impeding of France, U.K. as well asGermany at war. With nearly 1 in seven American born from these countries, Wilson agreed that it was good for America to stay neutral on this situation. Since America’s economy was struggling in recession, Wilson found it was good to stay neutral to impress England and France who wanted to buy their products. When Germany reacted by employing submarines to block British Isles, hedeclined to ban America travel by British in their soil or cut off sale of arms as Germany claimed. The Conclusionof Neutrality In the year 1915, a German submarine that was used in surprised attacks below the surface moved the British liner out Ireland coastal regionassassinating 1200 personscontaining 128 Americans. Wilson maintained patience but demanded Germany to stop using submarines in their warfare. The secretary of state Bryan resigned because he believed that this would result into war. During this time Germany maintained peace but U.K. declined to remove their blockade and this provoked Germany to resume to their submarine Warfare. Germans considered that the plot would make USA get into the conflict, however not before attacking allied forces and destroy British navy. After many American ships were sunk, Wilson asked congress to start war on Germany. Wilson message condemned Germany for using U ship attack was unfair to mankind but he emphasized that his main goal was to end aggressiveness and make the planet a safe place for mankind through democracy. He promised that USA would fight to promote peace democracy and make the world a safe place for living. American Troops in War Wilson had come up with a program of preparing the military since 1915. This assisted the US navy to move quickly and help Britain in abolishing the intimidations of Germans Submarines. However, the military would require more time before it was prepared for accomplishment. Congress legislated the act and about 2.8 million people were drafted which was 72% of the fullmilitia. No women wereconscripted but about 13000 women enrolled in the army serving in clerical areas in the navy and marines. Even though the army declined to procure women, some worked as nurses in the army corps without pay or benefit. Another 5000 women served in different levels in France and at times near the frontline. Most of these men were rich, educated and saw this opportunity as an adventure at first but later they came to understand that it was true horror. Approximately 400000 African Americans participated in the war and 200000 were deployed overseas. Emmet Scot an African American commanded the black soldiers. However, African American soldiers were taken as second class. Most of the black troops were headed by white soldiers, given worst assignments, relegated to food services and they were not allowed to join the marines. Fourteen Points of Wilson After being victorious in war, Wilson wanted to revolutionize ways of global affairs at the amity table. His vision was outlined in the fourteen points he delivered to congress in 1918. It suggested new diplomacy that had open covenants and there should be no secret treaties. Wilson wanted to end imperialism by opening colonial holding to self-governance and ensure Ottoman and Hungarian states got independence immediately. He proposed disarmament where Germany and Austria gave up their armed forces. Fair treatment of groundbreaking Russia was test of the peace. He also proposed freedom at the seas and there was to be free vocation in the country. Wilson main agenda was to avoid future wars by creating new international organization that would be open to all autonomous states. This novel organization was responsible for disarmament and destroying all expatriate possessions. Most imperative, the organization would assume power over all disagreements of its associates. Wilson thought that this would change international relationship and bring an era of world peace. Conclusion Woodrow dedicated his time and talents to accomplish domestic foreign agenda since he assumed that this would be a secondary concern. The international event that took President Wilson concentration was World War 1 that took place in Europe in the year 1914.His actions were not only reactive but far from it after he took office he quickly changed foreign policy. Even though e drew from durable USA tradition, Wilson’s agenda on foreign policy was very unique. His actions were not only reactive but far from it after he took office he quickly changed foreign policy. Even though e drew from durable USA tradition, Wilson’s agenda on foreign policy was very unique. Wilson along with his secretary of state came into power with little experience on matters of foreign policy but he was determined to achieve his goals through moral principles rather than egocentric greediness that influenced his predecessors. After taking office he suggested that America will cultivate friendship and that it deserves confidence of Latin countries. He also proposed that governments should rest upon the agreement of the directed. In the year 1914, Mexico police arrested US sailors who were found at a prohibited area. Wilson took this opportunity to justify US navy to inhabit the Veracruz port city. With the outbreak of Great War I Europe, Wilson appealed to all American to become neutral in this situation. Wilson had come up with a program of preparing the military since 1915. This assisted the US navy to move quickly and help Britain in abolishing the terrorizations of Germans Submarines. References Burkett, C. (2013). Remaking the World: Progressivism and American Foreign Policy. Retrieved February 10 2015 from, Hastedt, G. P. (2004). Encyclopedia of American foreign policy. New York: Facts On File. Holsti, O. R. (2004). Public opinion and American foreign policy. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. McCormick, J. M. (2012). The domestic sources of American foreign policy: Insights and evidence. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. McElroy, R. W. (2014). Morality and American Foreign Policy: The Role of Ethics in International Affairs. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Palmer, G., & Morgan, T. C. (2011). A Theory of Foreign Policy. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Wiarda, H. J., & Skelley, E. M. (2006). The crisis of American foreign policy: The effects of a divided America. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield. Read More