Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson Presidential Policies - Essay Example

Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson were Presidents of United s of America. The former was the 26th President in the history of United s of America (Vietze), while the latter was 28th President of United States of America. Both the individuals appeared on the political scene and at the presidential office at the time when the world was quite a happening place and United States of America had strengthened its position and was imposing its influence and making its presence felt through economic strength and military support and assistance to the European states that were engaged in the scuffle within. Each of these personalities’ performance, roles and historic contribution can be compared and contrasted in two domains. Domestic domain and the foreign domain of United States of America and policies devising, the role and influence towards shaping the overall foreign policy of United States of America. President Theodore Roosevelt took the charge of the office of President of United in 1901, while Woodrow Wilson was amongst the few Presidents who would go on to lead and represent United States of America in the course of a global conflict that lasted between 1914 and 1918 in the form of First World War. Woodrow Wilson remained the President of United States of America till 1921 (Kidner, McKee and Mathisen, 737). While President Theodore Roosevelt had remained in power till 1909 only, each of the individuals had remained governors to different states previously. While President Theodore Roosevelt remained and served as the governor of New York, Woodrow Wilson in contrast had been the governor of New Jersey (Marsh, 8). Each of their governorship term came about couple of years prior to their ascension to the seat of President of United States of America. Background affiliations: The two presidents derived their affiliations from different sources. President Theodore Roosevelt was an ex civil servant and a historian who had affiliations and inclination towards the field of politics, Woodrow Wilson on the other hand was a total contrast as compared to his predecessor. He hailed from a more regulated academic discipline of study and educational excellence. Each of the presidents aimed at bringing about progress and reforms within the social and economic sphere and making the stronger domestic base felt and visible in the global community. President Theodore Roosevelt had a share and taste of the foreign policy and regional policy making towards the global community. While President Theodore Roosevelt had worked in the same field previously and worked towards formulation of the policies on global front and more dominantly towards the Asian region policy formulation. The first and very basic difference between the two was the party affiliation. President Theodore Roosevelt belonged to the Republic Party while Woodrow Wilson belonged to the Democratic Party. Each of these derived relatively different stances with regard to number of factors both on the domestic front and on the foreign policy front. President Theodore Roosevelt was nicked named as the Trust Buster or Teddy, while Woodrow Wilson was nick named as the Schoolmaster. Less differences about their personality, it was their actions towards the outer world that defined their role in the overall scenario and spectrum of presidential office. The World War Two was precipitating during the days of the former, while it had taken place during the reign and presidential period of Woodrow Wilson, hence both were faced with the challenges of presenting a represent able foreign policy that would protect the interests of United States of America. Domestic differences with regard to the policies implementation: The two bore remarkable differences with regard to the policies implementation in American developmental sector. While Woodrow Wilson aimed at bringing about more autonomy amongst the working classes and labors, President Theodore Roosevelt in contrast aimed at strengthening the hold of the private and industrial sectors through the presence of the governmental agencies and assistance units. President Woodrow Wilson would define and term himself as the reformer who wanted to bring about relief to the lives of the ordinary people, he to a large extend succeeded in this and led to better economic conditions at the end of his tenure. President Theodore Roosevelt brought about reforms through the more active participation of the state entities, while President Woodrow Wilson made the people’s participation more active and more prominent. President Theodore Roosevelt came up with the “Square Deal” idea as a move to bring about reforms in the social and economic sectors (Kelley, 62). Views on Civil Rights movement and Social Segregation: The two presidents bore remarkable difference with regard to their views on the Black Americans. Although Woodrow Wilson did not upset them by making any move or statement, yet , President Theodore Roosevelt made a move that was reflective of his intentions and stance towards the Black Americans. This move came about in the form of President Theodore Roosevelt’s invitation and then a joint dinner holding with the notable Black personality of that time, named Booker T. Washington. Hence President Theodore Roosevelt aimed at implementing an integration oriented policy that would serve towards eliminating all the barriers between the two set of people. Woodrow Wilson, in his entire tenure as the leader of the American nation did not make any substantive move that may be reflected for as an action that was aimed at bringing about uniformity and synchronization with the ranks of the American peoples live and society as a whole. Apart from the diplomatic actions and activities, they bore differences with regard to the environmental issues and considerations. President Theodore Roosevelt was amongst the very first of the many American presidents who would later on raise the issue of the concerns felt with regard to the deteriorating environmental factors and elements that were contributing towards it. Woodrow Wilson did not show any inclination towards the global and environmental considerations and the possible constraints that may make the world a relatively safer place to live in, in coming decades and centuries. Economic aspect differentiation: President Theodore Roosevelt supported more active and prominent role of the federal government in the business and corporate segments, Woodrow Wilson’s views were relatively flexible in this regard and these views did not regulate strict rules towards government actions and strict measures in case of corporations establishment. Views of Global War Although Woodrow Wilson was the man who gave the idea of the League of Nations and brokered peace (Hogan, 153), yet President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to play a role in the global affairs as well. The role that each of these wanted to play from United States of America’s side was relatively contrasting. While Woodrow Wilson kept United States of America away and separate from the First World War, President Theodore Roosevelt had followed a legacy in which the chance of United States of America stepping into the war were relatively higher. This could be induced by his reactions and responses towards the First World War. In the case of President Theodore Roosevelt’s presence in the seat and office, the war may well have lasted a little less while with United States of America playing an important role and possibly helping the Allies to an extent that the Central powers would have been defeated far earlier and far easier. As he would term himself, President Theodore Roosevelt was more active and expressed himself and his views about the affairs as bully pulpit, President Woodrow Wilson was relatively submissive and quite in his expressions and he would use his actions more than words to enforce his decisions and view point about certain function of national interest. James R. Holmes in his article has termed President Theodore Roosevelt as the Warrior, while he has attributed the honor of “the priest” to Woodrow Wilson. This is done on account of their views towards global peace and efforts towards American role in the global community. President Theodore Roosevelt’s views on global affairs and role of American can be seen from an angle of the 19th century politics that did not entail the moral values or factors more predominantly, rather they stressed for an effective presence of Untied States of America in the principles of global matters for the interest of the people. This ideology is being termed as the realpolitik views (Holmes) towards the global affairs of politics. Woodrow Wilson contrasted this principle through a more active presence of United States amongst the global community as a promoter and facilitator of the global peace. Views of Military influence and buildup: President Theodore Roosevelt is termed as an internationalist mindset oriented president of the early days of 20th century. He wanted more influence of United States of America in the global capacity and global affairs. He at the same time wanted America’s position of strength being used towards the effective benefit of global peace and prosperity. It was therefore during the President Theodore Roosevelt tenure that military budgets were increased and other military and naval arsenal were raised in the parallel action. The example of the Panama Canal incident and using of American military and Naval force influence towards enacting force and support over the region speaks of President Theodore Roosevelt’s stance towards the overall foreign policy of United States of America in that era. Woodrow Wilson on other hand did not desire any aggressive ambitions. Steps towards Global Peace: Woodrow Wilson will by far stand out as an effective and successful President of the American history as compared to President Theodore Roosevelt or any other President of that era. He is therefore the pioneer and master man behind the League of Nations platform. the League of Nation was the first of its kind which brought the entire global community onto a single page and thereby aimed at bringing about global peace and prosperity. It was the same League of Nations that allowed for establishment of the United Nations Organization that till day present works and is actively working towards the global peace and prosperity. President Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed relatively more comfort and familiarity with the people as compared to Woodrow Wilson, it was because of his background and the policies he induced and introduced, Woodrow Wilson on other hand was more prominently known for his policies towards global activities. President Theodore Roosevelt may not be worldwide known as much as President Woodrow Wilson earned himself the name and fame on account of his efforts towards the ending of the First World War and later on introducing the League of Nations. The League of Nation managed to prevent the occurrence of the Second World War for good 21 years after the End of the First World War, it can be directly or indirectly attributed to the success and efforts of Woodrow Wilson as an American President who through his insight, wisdom and political and diplomatic active presence brought about a global entity that allowed for peace prevailing in the global world for good two decades afterwards. The same may not be said about President Theodore Roosevelt who does not have such attribute or feature to his name to have established such an entity and organization that served in the larger perspective towards global peace and prosperity. Nationalistic President Theodore Roosevelt vs. Freedom oriented Woodrow Wilson: The aforementioned features of each of the president are based on their views and philosophies each of them drew towards the American nation and the global sphere of politics. Woodrow Wilson affirmed his actions on these guidelines based on the promotion of League of Nations idea while President Theodore Roosevelt supported his actions through the uniformity and equality enforcement establishment within the American society (Cherny,3). Practical differences: While each of the President aimed at bringing about progress and change in the previously held mindset and bringing a more nationalistic and more progressive outlook to the country’s image, it was only President Woodrow Wilson who achieved it in letter and spirit, President Theodore Roosevelt may well have aspired to bring about reforms and earn the American state a name in the community of the world states, yet Woodrow Wilson got his goals and objectives fulfilled in a more comprehensive manner. References: Cherny, Andrei. The Next Deal: The Future of Public Life in the Information Age. Basic Books, 2008 Hogan, J. Michael. Woodrow Wilsons Western Tour: Rhetoric, Public Opinion, And the League of Nations. Texas A&M University Press, 2006 Holmes, James R. Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson: The Warrior and the Priest. 8 April 2013. 6 May 2014 Kidner, Frank, et al. Making Europe: People, Politics, and Culture. Cengage Learning, 2007 Kelley, Alison. Theodore Roosevelt. Infobase Publishing, 2009 Marsh, Carole. Woodrow Wilson: World Peace Champion. Gallopade International, 2002 Vietze, Andrew. Becoming Teddy Roosevelt: How a Maine Guide Inspired Americas 26th President. Down East Books, 2010 Read More