Eleanor Finch
Woodrow Wilson's moral diplomacy was a shift from the isolationist policies of his predecessors to internationalism. Wilson's foreign policy was based on moral principles and the belief in the right of nations to self-determination through democratic elections. This was in contrast to the imperialist policies of Roosevelt and Taft, which sought to expand American power and influence abroad. Wilson's moral diplomacy, therefore, cannot be considered isolationist as it actively sought to spread democracy and intervene in the affairs of other countries, particularly in Latin America. However, it is worth noting that Wilson's policies were still driven by a belief in American exceptionalism and the economic benefit of the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shift from isolationism to internationalism | |
| Based on morality, not economic interest | |
| Encouraged self-determination | "The moral right of people to choose their form of government and leaders by democratic elections" |
| Sought to spread democracy | |
| Sought to dismantle the imperial order | |
| Sought to intervene in European imperialist efforts | |
| Sought to create a world with less war and more peace | |
| Believed in American exceptionalism | |
| Believed in the mission of spreading democracy | |
| Laid the groundwork for the U.S. to become a global actor in international affairs |
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What You'll Learn
Woodrow Wilson's 'moral diplomacy'
Woodrow Wilson's moral diplomacy was based on the idea that the United States had a duty to spread democracy and liberty worldwide. In his 1914 address on "The Meaning of Liberty," Wilson alluded to America's potential to be a shining example of justice, liberty, and peace for all generations. He believed that the US was exceptional and had a unique ideology based on liberty, egalitarianism, and individualism. This belief in American exceptionalism shaped Wilson's foreign policy approach, known as moral diplomacy.
Moral diplomacy replaced the dollar diplomacy of William Howard Taft, which focused on economic support to improve bilateral ties. Wilson, on the other hand, emphasized economic power and the spread of democracy. He frequently intervened in the affairs of other countries, particularly in Latin America, to promote his democratic ideals. For example, he sent troops to Haiti and the Dominican Republic to restore order and maintain US interests. In Mexico, he refused to recognize the authoritarian government of Victoriano Huerta, which had seized power through a revolution in 1913. Wilson's stance encouraged anti-Huerta forces led by Venustiano Carranza, and he later recognized Carranza as the de facto president of Mexico.
Wilson also pursued moral diplomacy in other ways. He signed bilateral treaties that promoted alternatives to war, such as cooling-off periods and outside fact-finding commissions. After World War I, he outlined his vision for a new diplomacy in the "Fourteen Points" speech, calling for open covenants, self-rule for colonies, and general disarmament. Wilson's moral diplomacy was not isolationist; instead, it actively sought to shape the world according to American ideals of democracy and liberty.
However, Wilson's insistence on democratic governments in Latin America undermined the promise of self-determination, and his interventions in countries like Haiti, where American troops forced the Haitian legislature to choose Wilson's selected candidate as president, were imperialistic. Wilson's unilateral actions in foreign policy, such as pursuing Pancho Villa into Mexico without permission from the Carranza government, also provoked confrontations and complicated relations with other nations.
In conclusion, Woodrow Wilson's moral diplomacy was a form of aggressive idealism that sought to spread democracy and liberty worldwide. While it was based on noble ideals, it also led to interventions and unilateral actions that complicated US relations with other nations and contradicted the promise of self-determination. Wilson's belief in American exceptionalism guided his foreign policy, which actively shaped the world according to American ideals rather than isolationist principles.
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A shift from isolationism to internationalism
Woodrow Wilson's "moral diplomacy" marked a shift from the isolationist foreign policy of the United States to a more internationalist stance. The concept of moral diplomacy was introduced by Wilson as an alternative to the imperialist policies of his predecessors, which were based on economic interests and the expansion of American power. Instead, moral diplomacy centred US foreign relations on moral principles, specifically the values of democracy and national self-determination.
The shift from isolationism to internationalism is evident in Wilson's approach to foreign affairs. Unlike his predecessors, who adhered to a strictly nationalist foreign policy, Wilson actively intervened in the affairs of other countries, particularly in Latin America. He believed that the US had a duty to spread democracy and used aggressive moral diplomacy to ensure this objective. For example, in Mexico, Wilson refused to recognise the government of Victoriano Huerta, who had seized power illegally, despite pressure from Americans with economic interests in the country and support for Huerta from most European nations.
Wilson's internationalist stance was also reflected in his response to the sinking of the British passenger ship Lusitania by a German U-boat in 1915. This incident, which killed more than 1,200 people, including 128 Americans, shocked the American public and prompted Wilson to demand that Germany end its U-boat warfare against civilian ships. This intervention in European affairs marked a departure from the traditional isolationist policy of non-intervention in foreign conflicts that did not directly threaten American rights.
Furthermore, Wilson's "Fourteen Points" speech delivered to Congress in 1918 outlined a vision for a new diplomacy based on open covenants and the self-determination of nations, rather than secret treaties and imperialist power dynamics. He called for the dismantling of imperial orders and the promotion of democracy, which laid the groundwork for the United States to become a global actor in international affairs.
Overall, Wilson's moral diplomacy represented a significant shift from the isolationist foreign policy traditionally associated with the United States to a more internationalist approach, characterised by interventions in foreign affairs and a commitment to spreading democratic values and moral principles.
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The Monroe Doctrine
The Doctrine was conceived to address the concerns of the time, but it soon became a defining aspect of US policy in the Western Hemisphere. It was invoked in 1865 when the US government provided diplomatic and military support to Mexican President Benito Juárez, enabling him to lead a successful revolt against the French-backed Emperor Maximilian. The Monroe Doctrine was also used to justify sending US troops to Latin America, including Santo Domingo in 1904, Nicaragua in 1911, and Haiti in 1915, under the pretext of preventing European intervention.
The Doctrine's most significant extension came with Theodore Roosevelt's Corollary, which altered its original meaning. Roosevelt proclaimed the right of the United States to exercise "international police power" to curb "chronic wrongdoing" in the region. This interpretation persisted into the 20th century, with the Doctrine invoked symbolically during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 when the Soviet Union attempted to build missile sites in Cuba.
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American Exceptionalism
The concept of American Exceptionalism was first described by Alexis de Tocqueville in 1831 and 1840. However, it was Woodrow Wilson who brought the idea to the forefront during his presidency, with his policy of moral diplomacy. Wilson's moral diplomacy was based on the values of democracy and self-determination of peoples and states, in contrast to the imperialist policies of intervention pursued by his predecessors and European powers. He believed that the United States had a duty to spread democracy and promote peace worldwide, and his actions in Latin America and Mexico are notable examples of this. Wilson's interventions included supporting democratic governments and working to economically damage non-democratic countries, which were seen as potential threats to the US.
Wilson's moral diplomacy has been criticised as a prime example of American Exceptionalism, where the belief in the superiority of American ideology, policy, and institutions leads to their forceful imposition on other nations. This belief in American superiority is also reflected in the recurrent portrayal of international conflicts as a binary clash between 'good versus evil', with the US consistently casting itself as the former. This binary framework, infused with religious discourse, has been crucial in garnering support for US foreign policies, despite their predatory nature.
While some scholars argue that American Exceptionalism under Trump's presidency indicated a return to isolationist foreign policy, others disagree. They argue that Trump's "America First" policy was a form of absolute unilateralism, similar to the Bush administration, but shaped by escalating economic challenges rather than the war on terror. The Trump administration's distancing from multilateral agreements and institutions, such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), contributed to this interpretation.
In conclusion, American Exceptionalism has had a significant influence on US foreign policy, often resulting in policies that appear contradictory to professed constitutional values and international norms. As global challenges continue to evolve, it is crucial to engage with and critically assess the ideology of American Exceptionalism to foster a more cooperative and equitable international order.
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Interventions in Latin America
Woodrow Wilson's moral diplomacy was a departure from the isolationist foreign policy of the United States, which had been characterised by a strict nationalist outlook under Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. Wilson's moral diplomacy was based on the idea of promoting democracy and peace worldwide, with a particular focus on Latin America.
Wilson's predecessor, William Howard Taft, had practised dollar diplomacy, which emphasised economic support to improve bilateral ties. In contrast, Wilson's moral diplomacy was based on economic power and the belief that the United States had a duty to spread democracy. This was in line with the concept of American exceptionalism, which holds that the United States has a world mission to spread liberty and democracy due to its unique emergence from a revolution.
Wilson's moral diplomacy had a significant impact on US interventions in Latin America. In 1915, Wilson sent American marines to Haiti to restore order and supported the Haitian leader of his choice while covertly obtaining financial and administrative control of the island. Similarly, in 1916, Wilson intervened in the Dominican Republic, citing political and fiscal unrest as a reason. Despite overseeing elections, he failed to quell revolutionary opposition, leading to a full military occupation from 1916 to 1924.
In Nicaragua, the United States intervened in 1911 and 1912 to protect American business interests and ensure a government friendly to US political and commercial interests, marking the beginning of the "'Banana Wars' period. During this time, the US also competed with Mexico for political influence in Central America, leading to further interventions in the region.
Wilson's actions in Latin America were part of a broader pattern of US involvement in regime change, often aimed at replacing left-wing leaders with right-wing alternatives or authoritarian regimes. This pattern continued into the late 20th century, with the US supporting coups in Argentina and Bolivia. While moral diplomacy marked a shift towards internationalism, it also served economic interests and was not isolationist in nature.
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Frequently asked questions
Moral diplomacy is a type of diplomacy coined by US President Woodrow Wilson, which revolves around the mission of spreading democracy and national self-determination. It is based on moral values rather than economic interests.
Wilson opposed imperialism and believed in empowering developing nations to become self-sustaining and democratic. He wanted to dismantle the imperial order and open up colonial holdings to self-rule.
Wilson's moral diplomacy replaced the dollar diplomacy of William Howard Taft, which was based on economic support and expansion of the American empire. Wilson's policy, on the other hand, was based on moral principles and sought to curb the growth of imperialism.
Wilson's moral diplomacy was a shift from isolationism to internationalism. While it did not immediately change US foreign policy, it laid the groundwork for democratic nations to create international political conglomerates, such as the United Nations, and cemented the US as a global actor in international affairs.
The core principle of Wilson's moral diplomacy was self-determination, which refers to the moral right of people to choose their form of government and leaders through democratic elections.
