Isabella Carter
Woodrow Wilson's presidency (1913-1921) was defined by his commitment to moral diplomacy, a term he coined to describe his foreign policy approach. This new type of statesmanship centred US foreign relations around the concept of morality, specifically the values of democracy and national self-determination, rather than pure economic interest. Wilson believed that the US had a duty to spread democracy and used aggressive moral diplomacy to ensure this objective. He frequently intervened in the affairs of other countries, particularly in Latin America, to promote democratic governments and economically injure non-democratic countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Support | Given only to countries whose beliefs are analogous to that of the United States |
| Opposition | Against nations with different ideologies |
| Promotion | Of democracy and peace throughout the world |
| Opposition | Against imperialism |
| Support | For smaller nations who agreed to abide by 'American' values of political democracy and self-determination |
| Use | Of economic and military pressure towards nations who rejected 'American' values |
| Belief | That the United States had a moral mandate for world leadership |
| Belief | That nations, like individuals, should adhere to high ethical and moral standards |
| Belief | That democracy was the most Christian form of government |
| Belief | That the United States should only intervene in foreign affairs when a moral imperative justified such actions |
| Promotion | Of liberal and humanitarian ends |
| Focus | On morality and idealism |
| Focus | On ethical considerations, respect for human rights, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations |
| Focus | On ensuring peace and establishing the League of Nations |
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What You'll Learn
- Wilson's foreign policy from 1913-1921 focused on implementing democratic governments in regions with self-determination
- Wilson's 14 points laid the groundwork for democratic nations to create international political conglomerates
- Wilson's moral diplomacy was based on the principle of self-determination and the moral right of people to choose their government
- Wilson's vision for collective security through US leadership in international organisations appealed to the public
- Wilson's insistence on democratic Latin American governments undermined the promise of self-determination
Wilson's foreign policy from 1913-1921 focused on implementing democratic governments in regions with self-determination
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States, served in office from 1913 to 1921. Wilson's foreign policy during this period was largely focused on implementing democratic governments in regions with self-determination. This approach, known as "moral diplomacy," marked a shift from the imperialist policies of his predecessors, who sought to expand American influence and annex colonies. Wilson believed that the United States had an obligation to spread its democratic principles and values of freedom while reflecting the "truisms" of American thought.
In his inaugural address, Wilson emphasised that the United States hoped "to cultivate the friendship and deserve the confidence" of Latin American states, while asserting his belief that ""just government" must rest "upon the consent of the governed". This set the tone for his administration's approach to foreign relations, which prioritised democracy and self-determination over economic interests.
In Latin America, Wilson sought to protect fledgling republics from corruption, European pressures, and past American imperialism. In Mexico, he refused to recognise the authoritarian regime of General Victoriano Huerta, who had seized power in a bloody revolution in 1913. Wilson supported anti-Huerta forces and, after a diplomatic incident involving the arrest of American sailors in Tampico, ordered the US Navy to occupy the port city of Veracruz, ultimately leading to Huerta's downfall. Wilson also pursued diplomatic solutions to conflicts in Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, although these efforts were less successful and sometimes involved military intervention and occupation.
In Asia, Wilson supported Chinese independence and opposed efforts by previous administrations to increase American influence at China's expense. He also pushed for greater political autonomy for the Philippines, which had been annexed by the United States. By 1921, Filipinos held the majority of bureaucratic positions in the islands, and the Jones Bill of 1912 provided a path towards Philippine independence.
On a global scale, Wilson's "Fourteen Points" speech delivered to Congress in 1918 outlined his vision for a new diplomacy based on open covenants, the dismantling of imperial orders, and the independence of colonial holdings. He called for general disarmament, fair treatment of revolutionary Russia, and the formation of international organisations to promote democratic values and maintain collective security, such as the League of Nations.
Wilson's commitment to self-determination and democracy extended to his approach to Europe as well. At the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, he pushed for a summit between the Bolsheviks and the White movement to form a united Russian delegation, despite opposition from other powers. However, his efforts towards collective security and peace were not always successful, as the United States ultimately declined to join the League of Nations due to concerns over potential entanglements in foreign conflicts.
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Wilson's 14 points laid the groundwork for democratic nations to create international political conglomerates
Woodrow Wilson's presidency marked a shift in US foreign policy, with his administration coining the term "moral diplomacy". This new approach centred US foreign relations around the concept of morality—specifically, the values of democracy and national self-determination—rather than pure economic interest. Wilson's Fourteen Points, a speech delivered to Congress on January 8, 1918, outlined his vision for a "new diplomacy" and laid the groundwork for democratic nations to create international political conglomerates.
In his Fourteen Points speech, Wilson proposed a 14-point program for world peace, which was later taken as the basis for peace negotiations at the end of World War I. The speech addressed what Wilson perceived as the causes of the war, calling for the abolition of secret treaties, a reduction in armaments, an adjustment in colonial claims, and freedom of the seas. He also made proposals to ensure world peace in the future, such as the removal of economic barriers between nations, the promise of "self-determination" for oppressed minorities, and the creation of a world organization that would provide a system of collective security for all nations. This organisation would later be known as the League of Nations.
Wilson's Fourteen Points reflected his belief that, in order to spread democracy, nations needed to forge international organisations to solidify their mutual goals and place pressure on non-democratic entities. This vision for collective security through US leadership in international organisations, such as the League of Nations, appealed to the public. However, the United States ultimately declined membership in the League due to concerns about compromising US sovereignty and committing to the defence of any League member.
Wilson's Fourteen Points laid the groundwork for democratic nations to create international political conglomerates by providing a blueprint for world peace and democracy. The points revolved around the mission of spreading democracy and working towards common goals. As a result, they enabled democratic nations to unite and collaborate more effectively, solidifying their mutual goal of promoting democracy and creating a more stable international order.
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Wilson's moral diplomacy was based on the principle of self-determination and the moral right of people to choose their government
Woodrow Wilson's presidency (1913-1921) marked a shift from the previous administration's strictly nationalist foreign policy. Wilson's approach, known as "moral diplomacy," was based on the principle of self-determination and the moral right of people to choose their government. This new form of statesmanship centred US foreign relations around morality, specifically the values of democracy and national self-determination, rather than pure economic interests.
Wilson believed that the US had a duty to spread democracy and peace throughout the world and that democracy was the most essential aspect of a stable and prosperous nation. He frequently intervened in the affairs of other countries, particularly in Latin America, with the stated goal of promoting democracy. For example, in 1915, he sent US marines to Haiti to restore order amid chronic revolution, and he did the same in the Dominican Republic in 1916. Wilson also supported the Mexican revolution and refused to recognise the authoritarian government of General Victoriano Huerta, which did not reflect the wishes of the Mexican people.
However, Wilson's interventions were not always successful. Military occupations in Haiti and the Dominican Republic failed to create the democratic states that were their stated objective, and his use of military force in Veracruz was criticised as a "blunder" resulting from his "interventionist impulses." Wilson's insistence on democracy in Latin America also undermined the promise of self-determination for those countries. Additionally, his actions in the region, such as using American troops in Haiti to force the selection of the Haitian president, have been characterised as old-fashioned imperialism.
Despite these criticisms and mixed results, Wilson's moral diplomacy had a significant impact on US foreign policy. It laid the groundwork for the US to become a global actor in international affairs, with a belief in American morality and the spread of democracy at its core. Wilson's vision, outlined in his "Fourteen Points" speech in 1918, called for a "new diplomacy" of open covenants, the dismantling of empires, and the creation of international organisations to promote collective security. While his 14 points were not immediately enacted, they reflected a shift from isolationism to internationalism and eventually led to the US joining the United Nations after World War II.
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Wilson's vision for collective security through US leadership in international organisations appealed to the public
Woodrow Wilson's approach to foreign policy, known as "Wilsonian diplomacy" or "moral diplomacy", was characterised by a shift from isolationism to internationalism, with a focus on spreading democracy and moral values abroad. This vision for collective security through US leadership in international organisations, such as the League of Nations, appealed to the public and set the foundation for the United States to become a global actor in international affairs.
Wilson's Fourteen Points, outlined in a speech to Congress in 1918, emphasised the importance of open diplomacy and self-rule, dismantling the imperial order, and general disarmament. He also proposed tariff reform to support his vision of open, free markets, and his policies sought to implement democratic governments worldwide. This notion of "moral diplomacy" centred US foreign relations around the concept of morality and democracy rather than pure economic interests.
In Latin America, Wilson declared that the United States hoped to cultivate friendships and deserve the confidence of the Latin American states while emphasising his belief in "just government" based on the "consent of the governed". However, his insistence on democratic governments in the region undermined the promise of self-determination for these countries. Wilson also practised imperialism, as seen in his purchase of the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million.
In Mexico, Wilson refused to recognise the authoritarian rule of General Victoriano Huerta, who had come to power through a counter-revolution. Instead, he supported the anti-Huerta forces led by Venustiano Carranza. When Mexican officials arrested American sailors in Tampico, Wilson ordered the US Navy to occupy the port city of Veracruz, weakening Huerta's control and leading to Carranza becoming the de facto president of Mexico. However, Wilson's unilateral actions in Mexico, such as his pursuit of Pancho Villa without Carranza's permission, provoked confrontations and challenged the promise of self-determination.
Despite setbacks and contradictions, Wilson's vision for collective security through US leadership in international organisations appealed to the public and had a lasting impact on US foreign policy. It laid the groundwork for the United States to become a key player in international organisations like the United Nations, shaping global affairs with a commitment to democratic values and moral diplomacy.
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Wilson's insistence on democratic Latin American governments undermined the promise of self-determination
Woodrow Wilson's foreign policy was defined by his commitment to "moral diplomacy", a concept that centred US foreign relations around morality—specifically, the values of democracy and national self-determination—rather than pure economic interest. In a statement issued soon after taking office, Wilson declared that the United States hoped "to cultivate the friendship and deserve the confidence" of the Latin American states, but he also emphasised that he believed just government" must rest "upon the consent of the governed".
Latin American states were hopeful for the prospect of being free to conduct their own affairs without American interference, but Wilson's insistence on democratic governments in the region undermined the promise of self-determination. In 1915, Wilson responded to chronic revolution in Haiti by sending in American marines to restore order, and he did the same in the Dominican Republic in 1916. The military occupations that followed failed to create the democratic states that were their stated objective. In 1916, Wilson also practised an old-fashioned form of imperialism by buying the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million.
In Mexico, Wilson refused to recognise the authoritarian government of General Victoriano Huerta, which had taken power in a counter-revolution in 1913. Wilson's stance encouraged anti-Huerta forces in northern Mexico led by Venustiano Carranza. In April 1914, Mexican officials in Tampico arrested several American sailors who had blundered into a prohibited area, and Wilson used the incident to justify ordering the US Navy to occupy the port city of Veracruz. The move greatly weakened Huerta, who abandoned power to Carranza, whom Wilson immediately recognised as the de facto president of Mexico. However, Wilson's unilateral actions in Mexico also provoked a confrontation between American and Mexican forces, alarming Wilson and leading him to reaffirm his commitment to Mexican self-determination.
Wilson's actions in Latin America were part of a broader foreign policy agenda that sought to spread democracy and self-determination abroad. In his "Fourteen Points" speech delivered to Congress on January 8, 1918, Wilson outlined a vision for a "new diplomacy" that would replace secret treaties with "open covenants openly arrived at". He called for the dismantling of imperial holdings and the establishment of new states, with the ultimate goal of creating a "general association of nations" or League of Nations that would guarantee the political independence and territorial integrity of all nations. Wilson's idealism influenced the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed harsh terms on Germany, but his vision for a League of Nations was compromised by the Allied leaders' insistence on punishing Germany.
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Frequently asked questions
Moral diplomacy is a form of diplomacy proposed by President Woodrow Wilson in his 1912 election campaign. It is the system in which support is given only to countries with similar beliefs and democratic governments. This was used to economically damage non-democratic countries.
Woodrow Wilson frequently intervened in the affairs of other countries, especially in Latin America. In Mexico, he refused to recognise the authoritarian rule of General Victoriano Huerta, instead supporting anti-Huerta forces in northern Mexico led by Venustiano Carranza. In 1914, he ordered the US Navy to occupy the port city of Veracruz, which led to Huerta's fall from power.
Woodrow Wilson's 14 points were a program for peace, first outlined in a speech to Congress in 1918. They included open covenants of peace, absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, and the removal of economic barriers to establish equality of trade conditions.
