Simone Lawson
Missionary diplomacy is a term used to describe the policies and practices of the United States in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. Wilson's concept of missionary diplomacy was driven by his belief in the superiority of his understanding of democracy, peace, and the well-being of other nations. An example of missionary diplomacy is the negotiation of a treaty with Colombia in 1914 to resolve resentment over the nation's loss of Panama in 1903. In the treaty, the United States expressed regret and proposed to pay Colombia $25 million, although the Senate did not approve the treaty until 1921, after removing the expression of regret.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Driven by an inner compulsion to give other peoples the blessings of democracy | Democracy |
| Promoting peace and well-being | Peace |
| Promoting liberal and humanitarian ends | Humanitarianism |
| Based on morality and idealism | Morality |
| Related to his concepts of morality and democratic government | Democratic government |
| Related to his domestic program, the New Freedom | Domestic policy |
| Commitment to "constitutional liberty" | Constitutionalism |
| Preventing illegitimate governments | Constitutionalism |
| Preventing revolutions | Constitutionalism |
| Concern about the security of the hemisphere | Security |
| Negotiating treaties to resolve resentment and provide reparations | Reparations |
| Intervening in Latin America | Latin America |
| Promoting world leadership of the United States | Leadership |
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What You'll Learn
Wilson's commitment to constitutionalism
Woodrow Wilson's missionary diplomacy was driven by his ethical and religious beliefs. Wilson believed that nations should adhere to high ethical and moral standards, and that democracy was the most Christian form of government, suitable for all peoples. This belief in the moral mandate of the democratic United States to lead the world influenced his foreign policy as president.
Wilson's "Lectures on Law" laid the foundation for American legal principles, and he was one of the first six justices on the Supreme Court. His constitutional theory was based on popular sovereignty, presupposing the existence of national powers outside of enumerated powers. This placed him among the most important framers of the Constitution, alongside Madison, Jefferson, and Hamilton, according to some scholars.
Wilson's policy decisions during World War I were influenced by concerns about the security of the hemisphere, as potential enemies like Germany became a growing threat. His support for a settlement with Colombia in 1914, expressing regret and proposing reparations for the loss of Panama in 1903, further demonstrated his commitment to constitutional liberty and his belief in the negative impact of US actions on "Yankeephobia".
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The 1917 Zimmerman telegram
The Zimmerman Telegram was a coded, secret diplomatic message sent by German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann to the German ambassador in Mexico, Heinrich von Eckardt, on January 16, 1917. The message instructed von Eckardt to propose an alliance with Mexico, offering to help Mexico regain Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, which had been lost to the US during the Mexican-American War of 1846-47, if the US entered World War I against Germany. The telegram also mentioned Germany's intention to resume unrestricted submarine warfare on February 1, 1917, which was a significant concern for the US.
British intelligence intercepted the telegram, which was first decoded by Nigel de Grey on January 17, 1917. The British waited to present the information to the US, knowing that it could influence their stance on the war. On February 19, 1917, the telegram was shown to Edward Bell, the secretary of the American Embassy in Britain, who initially believed it to be a forgery. However, once convinced of its authenticity, he became enraged. The telegram was then informally sent to US Ambassador Walter Hines Page, who met with British Foreign Minister Arthur Balfour on February 23. Balfour provided the code text, the message in German, and the English translation. Balfour also obtained another copy in Mexico City, allowing him to obscure the true source of the information.
On February 24, 1917, Page reported the story to President Woodrow Wilson, who felt "much indignation" toward the Germans and wanted to publish the telegram immediately. However, the publication was delayed until March 1, 1917, when it was released to the American press. The revelation of the Zimmerman Telegram had a significant impact on American public opinion, inflaming anti-German sentiment and contributing to the US declaration of war against Germany in April 1917. It was considered a significant intelligence triumph for Britain and one of the earliest examples of signals intelligence influencing world events.
The Zimmerman Telegram's disclosure helped galvanize American public opinion against Germany and was a crucial factor in the US's decision to enter World War I. It also ensured Mexican neutrality during the conflict, as the US recognized the Carranza government de jure on August 31, 1917, to prevent any potential military collaboration between Mexico and Germany. The telegram's publication marked a turning point in the war, as the US's industrial might and resources significantly influenced the outcome, ultimately leading to the armistice and the end of the war on November 11, 1918.
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The Good Neighbor Policy
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, is often associated with missionary diplomacy, a form of foreign policy driven by the belief that the United States had a moral mandate to promote democracy and high ethical and moral standards in other countries. Wilson's approach to foreign relations was influenced by his ethical and religious beliefs, and he saw a close connection between domestic and foreign policy. He believed that democracy was the most Christian form of government and was suitable for all peoples. This conviction led to his support for the League of Nations as a vehicle for spreading democracy internationally after World War I.
However, Wilson's brand of diplomacy, particularly in Latin America, was seen by some as a continuation of the exploitative "big stick" and "dollar diplomacy" of his predecessors. An example of this is the negotiation of a treaty with Colombia in 1914, which aimed to resolve tensions over the construction of the Panama Canal. While the treaty included expressions of regret and proposed reparations, it was initially ignored by the Senate during Wilson's presidency. The treaty was only approved in 1921 after the expression of regret was removed, illustrating the complex dynamics of Wilson's missionary diplomacy.
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The Panama Canal
Missionary diplomacy was a term used to describe the policies and practices of the United States in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. Wilson's ethical and religious beliefs influenced his foreign policy as president. He believed that nations should adhere to high ethical and moral standards, and that democracy was the most Christian form of government, suitable for all peoples.
The construction of the Canal was not without controversy. The Hay-Herrán Treaty of 1903, negotiated with Colombia, gave the United States rights to the land surrounding the planned canal. However, the Colombian Senate refused to ratify the treaty, and Panama, which was then a part of Colombia, seceded with the support of the United States. The newly independent Republic of Panama then signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which provided the United States with a 10-mile-wide strip of land for the canal, a one-time payment of $10 million, and an annual annuity of $250,000. The United States also agreed to guarantee Panama's independence.
While the Canal was initially heralded as a major foreign policy achievement, US control of the Canal eventually became a source of tension in US-Panamanian relations. Many Panamanians questioned the validity of the treaty, and tensions over US control of the Canal Zone led to a brief interruption of diplomatic relations in 1964. It wasn't until the Torrijos-Carter Treaties were ratified in 1978 that Panama was given eventual control of the Canal.
Today, the Panama Canal remains a key nexus of international political and economic concerns, with the United States and China vying for influence over this critical infrastructure.
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The New Freedom
Woodrow Wilson's idea of "missionary diplomacy" was related to his domestic program, the New Freedom, and his concepts of morality and democratic government. Wilson's ethical and religious beliefs strongly influenced his foreign policy as president. He believed that nations, like individuals, should adhere to high ethical and moral standards. In his view, democracy was the most Christian form of government, suitable for all peoples. Thus, the democratic United States had a moral mandate for world leadership.
Wilson's commitment to constitutionalism and democracy is evident in his response to the 1917 Zimmerman telegram, in which the German foreign minister invited Mexico to ally with Germany against the United States. Wilson's concern about the security of the hemisphere and his belief in the blessings of democracy influenced his foreign policy decisions.
Wilson's ideas about the Panama Canal also illustrate his concept of missionary diplomacy. He believed that the canal would not only facilitate commerce but also unite the world in intelligence, thought, and sympathy between the north and south. Wilson deplored the exploitative nature of foreign concessions in Latin American nations and wanted to assist in their emancipation. However, his policies and practices in Latin America, such as the bombardment of Veracruz and the US marines' occupation of Santo Domingo, created permanent hostility between the United States and Latin America, contributing to "Yankeephobia."
Despite Wilson's admirable ideals, some historians argue that his missionary diplomacy was a failure. The Good Neighbor Policy, which peaked in the late 1930s, was an attempt to dispel the aura of hostility created by Wilson's policies.
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Frequently asked questions
Missionary diplomacy is a descriptive label often applied to the policies and practices of the United States in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson.
Missionary diplomacy is driven by the belief that democracy is the most Christian form of government and therefore suitable for all peoples. It involves a moral mandate for world leadership and the promotion of liberal and humanitarian ends.
Some examples of missionary diplomacy include the negotiation of a treaty with Colombia in 1914 to resolve resentment over the nation's loss of Panama and the bombardment of Veracruz and the US marines' occupation of Santo Domingo.
Woodrow Wilson is the key figure associated with missionary diplomacy, along with Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, who shared Wilson's commitment to democracy.
Missionary diplomacy contributed to Yankeephobia in Latin America and created seemingly permanent hostility between the United States and the region. However, it's worth noting that the negotiation of the Colombian treaty was seen as a positive outcome.
