Missionary Diplomacy: A Guide To Its Core Principles

Missionary diplomacy is a term used to describe the policies and practices of the United States in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and China during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. It was an expansion of President James Monroe's Monroe Doctrine, which held that Washington had a moral responsibility to deny diplomatic recognition to any non-democratic Latin American government. This policy had positive effects, such as the negotiation of a treaty with Colombia in 1914 to resolve resentment over the nation's loss of Panama. However, it also led to permanent hostility between the US and Latin America. Beyond the Wilsonian era, the term missionary diplomacy also refers to the entanglement of American Protestant missions with American diplomacy in the 19th and 20th centuries.

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Woodrow Wilson's policy

Missionary diplomacy was a policy of US President Woodrow Wilson, which held that the US had a moral responsibility to deny diplomatic recognition to any Latin American government that was not democratic. It was an expansion of President James Monroe's 1823 Monroe Doctrine.

In his "Fourteen Points" speech delivered to Congress on January 8, 1918, Wilson outlined his vision for a "new diplomacy" consisting of "open covenants openly arrived at". He called for an end to secret treaties, the dismantling of imperial orders, and the opening up of colonial holdings to eventual self-rule. Wilson also proposed a general disarmament after World War I, with the Germans and Austrians giving up their armed forces first.

In Latin America, Wilson's missionary diplomacy was particularly influential. He believed that the United States had a responsibility to promote democracy in the region, even if it meant intervening in the internal affairs of other nations. For example, in Mexico, Wilson refused to recognize the counterrevolutionary government of General Victoriano Huerta, which he saw as a "government of butchers" that did not reflect the wishes of the Mexican people. Wilson's use of military force in Veracruz, however, has been criticized as a "blunder" resulting from his "interventionist impulses".

Wilson's missionary diplomacy has been the subject of varying interpretations by historians and scholars. Some argue that he was the greatest military interventionist in US history, while others focus on his admirable ideas and objectives. Despite criticism of his policies as ill-conceived and economically motivated, Wilson's administration left a lasting impact on US foreign relations, particularly in Latin America.

Religion and foreign relations

The concept of "missionary diplomacy" is often associated with US President Woodrow Wilson's policies during his tenure from 1913 to 1921. Wilson's missionary diplomacy was an extension of President James Monroe's Monroe Doctrine, reflecting his belief in the moral responsibility of the US to promote democracy and deny recognition to non-democratic governments in Latin America. This policy had both positive and negative consequences, with critics arguing that it led to permanent hostility between the US and Latin America.

Protestant missionaries, during the 19th century, were deeply involved in the work of American diplomacy. They established themselves in regions that would later become strategic interests for the American government, such as Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands. Once settled, they actively sought government support and protection, leveraging their presence to influence America's foreign relations. Their roles as consuls and translators granted them significant influence, and they often compelled the State Department to take actions it might otherwise have avoided.

The power and influence wielded by missionaries raised questions among Americans. Concerns emerged about whether their activities truly served the interests of American diplomacy or created unnecessary complications. This debate continues to the present, with religious freedom remaining a contentious issue in American foreign policy. The history of missionary diplomacy highlights the complex interplay between religion and foreign relations, and it remains a relevant factor in understanding America's diplomatic landscape today.

Democracy and constitutionalism

Missionary diplomacy was a policy of US President Woodrow Wilson that Washington had a moral responsibility to deny diplomatic recognition to any Latin American government that was not democratic. It was an expansion of President James Monroe's 1823 Monroe Doctrine. Wilson's policy was driven by his concepts of morality and democratic government, with a particular focus on democracy and constitutionalism.

Wilson's concern for democracy and constitutionalism was genuine, and this was likely the main component of his Latin American policy when his administration began. He believed that the United States might have to act undemocratically to install democracy, which was difficult to reconcile with his commitment to constitutionalism. For example, the bombardment of Veracruz and the US marines' occupation of Santo Domingo seemed to contradict his support for constitutional liberty. However, Wilson believed that revolutions were unconstitutional and had to be prevented, and illegitimate governments could not be recognized.

Wilson's policy of missionary diplomacy had both positive and negative effects. On the one hand, it led to the negotiation of a treaty with Colombia in 1914 to resolve resentment over the nation's loss of Panama in 1903. The United States expressed regret and proposed reparations, and Wilson supported the settlement because he believed that an apology and reparations were long overdue. On the other hand, missionary diplomacy created permanent hostility between the United States and Latin America, and some historians have criticized it as a failure or a disaster.

The term "missionary diplomacy" has also been used to describe the entanglement of Protestant missions with American diplomacy in the 19th century. Protestant missionaries positioned themselves as key experts in the development of American relations in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands. They served as consuls and translators, and occasionally forced the State Department to take actions it otherwise would have avoided. This entanglement between religion and diplomacy continues to be a major priority of American foreign policy today.

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Security concerns

Missionary diplomacy was a foreign policy approach primarily associated with US President Woodrow Wilson during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It reflected the United States' intent to influence global governance based on its values, with a focus on democracy and morality. This policy created permanent hostility between the US and Latin America, especially in Mexico, Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

The security concerns arising from missionary diplomacy are complex and far-reaching. Firstly, it assumed that the US had the authority to intervene in the internal affairs of other nations, particularly in Latin America, to promote its version of democracy. This interventionism often took the form of unilateral actions, such as the bombardment of Veracruz or the US marines' occupation of Santo Domingo, which violated the sovereignty of those nations and created tensions.

Secondly, missionary diplomacy failed to acknowledge the legitimacy of governments that did not align with American values, which could lead to instability and conflict. For example, Wilson's refusal to recognize the government of Victoriano Huerta in Mexico contributed to the tense relationship between the two countries.

Thirdly, the policy's emphasis on moral principles and democracy could be seen as a pretext for pursuing American geopolitical interests. By promoting democratic ideals, the US could gain influence in regions of interest, such as Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands, where missionaries had established a presence. This blending of religious and diplomatic goals could lead to conflicts with other nations and expose missionaries to danger in volatile regions.

Furthermore, missionary diplomacy's focus on democracy and constitutionalism may have had unintended consequences, as it could be used to justify unilateral actions to "install" democracy, even if it meant acting undemocratically. This paradox creates a challenge for consistent policy-making and raises questions about the true motivations behind interventions.

Finally, the security of American citizens conducting missionary work abroad is a significant concern. As missionaries often operate in unstable regions or those with differing ideological or religious beliefs, they may encounter dangerous situations. Balancing the protection of American missionaries with respect for the sovereignty of host nations is a delicate task for the US government.

Economic explanations

Missionary diplomacy was the policy of US President Woodrow Wilson, which expanded on President James Monroe's 1823 Monroe Doctrine. Wilson believed that Washington had a moral responsibility to deny diplomatic recognition to any Latin American government that was not democratic. This policy was applied in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and China.

There are several economic explanations for Wilson's missionary diplomacy. Firstly, Wilson's initial rejection of "dollar diplomacy" is well-documented. While he was not entirely hostile to business interests, Wilson believed that their activities should serve, rather than dominate, the public interest. He wanted to destroy monopolistic interests at home and dispel their influence in foreign policy.

Secondly, Wilson's missionary diplomacy was driven by a desire to promote democracy and constitutionalism in Latin America. He believed that the United States might have to act undemocratically to install democracy, even if it meant using force, as seen in the bombardment of Veracruz and the US marines' occupation of Santo Domingo. Wilson's administration negotiated a treaty with Colombia in 1914 to resolve resentment over the nation's loss of Panama in 1903. The United States proposed to pay Colombia $25 million, and the treaty was eventually approved in 1921.

Thirdly, Wilson's policies were influenced by concerns about the security of the hemisphere during World War I. With potential enemies like Germany, Wilson and the State Department sought to protect American interests and prevent alliances against the United States, as seen in the 1917 Zimmerman telegram.

Finally, the role of Protestant missionaries in the 19th and early 20th centuries cannot be overlooked. These missionaries were entangled with American diplomacy and served as consuls, translators, and occasional troublemakers, forcing the State Department's hand in certain situations. They established mission fields and then demanded government support and protection, influencing American relations in Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands.

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