Jonah Patel
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, is known for his advocacy of moral diplomacy. In his 1912 election campaign, Wilson proposed a new form of diplomacy that would centre around moral values and the spread of democracy, rather than purely imperialist interests. This approach to foreign policy, known as Wilsonian diplomacy, marked a significant shift in the country's international relations and set a precedent for future American presidents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shift in foreign policy | Moral values, self-determination, and democracy |
| Support for nations upholding democratic values | Encouraged internationalism, collective security, and intervention in Latin America |
| Opposition to imperialism | Dismantling of colonial holdings and support for independence |
| Belief in American exceptionalism | Promotion of American values and morality |
| Unilateral foreign policy initiatives | Intervention in Mexico, refusal to recognize Victoriano Huerta's government |
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What You'll Learn
Woodrow Wilson's 1914 address on The Meaning of Liberty
Woodrow Wilson's 1914 address on "The Meaning of Liberty" outlined his vision for a new form of diplomacy—one based on moral values and democratic ideals rather than imperialist interests. In his speech, Wilson emphasised the importance of translating declarations of rights into definite action, ensuring that liberty is not just an abstract concept but something tangible and meaningful in the lives of Americans.
Wilson believed that the United States had a duty to spread democracy and uphold moral principles in its foreign policy. This approach, known as "moral diplomacy," marked a shift from the strictly nationalist and imperialist policies of his predecessors. Wilson saw moral diplomacy as a way to empower developing nations, foster self-determination, and ultimately create a more peaceful world. He frequently intervened in the affairs of other countries, particularly in Latin America, with the stated aim of promoting democracy. For example, in Mexico, he refused to recognise the authoritarian rule of General Victoriano Huerta, instead supporting the anti-Huerta forces led by Venustiano Carranza. Wilson also intervened in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Panama, and maintained troops in Nicaragua to influence the country's presidential selection.
In his address, Wilson also touched on the complexities of the modern world and the importance of adhering to simple principles such as honesty and patriotism. He emphasised the need to put the honour of the country above material interests and to keep promises, even when it may be difficult. This, he argued, was a true demonstration of liberty and the emancipated spirit. Wilson's commitment to moral diplomacy extended beyond his words, as he signed bilateral treaties promoting alternatives to war, such as cooling-off periods and outside fact-finding commissions.
Wilson's famous "Fourteen Points" speech, delivered to Congress in 1918, further elaborated on his vision for a new diplomacy. He called for open covenants, territorial evacuations, the dismantling of the imperial order, and general disarmament. While Wilson's idealistic approach to foreign policy faced criticism and challenges, his ideas laid the groundwork for the United States' eventual involvement in international organisations like the United Nations, solidifying its role as a global actor advocating for democracy and moral values on the world stage.
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The Fourteen Points
Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points outlined a vision for a "new diplomacy" that would bring an end to the First World War and create a more peaceful world order. Delivered to Congress on January 8, 1918, the Fourteen Points were:
Open Covenants of Peace, Openly Arrived At
Wilson rejected secret treaties, like those that had led to the outbreak of war in 1914, in favour of transparent agreements between nations.
Freedom of the Seas
Wilson called for a reduction in barriers to international trade, particularly the removal of restrictions on the movement of goods and ships during peacetime.
The Removal of Economic Barriers
Wilson proposed the removal of tariffs and other economic barriers between nations, as well as greater freedom of trade between countries.
Reduction of Armaments
Wilson wanted a general disarmament after the war, with the Germans and Austrians giving up their armed forces first.
Impartial Adjustment of Colonial Claims
Wilson sought to dismantle the imperial order by opening up colonial holdings to eventual self-rule and all European sections of the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires to immediate independence.
Evacuation of Russian Territory
All occupied Russian territory was to be evacuated, and revolutionary Russia was to be treated fairly.
Restoration of Belgian Sovereignty
Belgium, which had been occupied by Germany since 1914, was to be evacuated and restored to independence.
Evacuation of French Territory
All French territory occupied by Germany, including Alsace-Lorraine, was to be evacuated.
Readjustment of Italian Frontiers
Wilson proposed a "readjustment" of the borders of Italy, which had been a late entrant into the war, to ensure they were more favourable to the country.
Autonomy for the Peoples of Austria-Hungary
Wilson called for the peoples of Austria-Hungary, which had been on the losing side of the war, to be given the "freest opportunity to autonomous development".
Evacuation of Romanian, Serbian, and Montenegrin Territories
All occupied territories in Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro were to be evacuated, and Serbian territory on the Adriatic coast was to be guaranteed.
The Turkish portion of the Ottoman Empire
Wilson proposed that the Turkish portion of the Ottoman Empire should be "assured a secure sovereignty", but that the other nationalities within the empire should be assured "undoubted security of life and an absolutely unmolested opportunity of autonomous development".
An Independent Poland
Wilson called for the creation of an independent Polish state, with access to the sea.
A General Association of Nations
Finally, Wilson proposed the creation of a "general association of nations" to guarantee the political independence and territorial integrity of all states, large and small. This laid the groundwork for the creation of the League of Nations after the war.
While Wilson's Fourteen Points were not immediately enacted in US foreign policy, they did represent a shift from isolationism to internationalism. They also reflected Wilson's belief in moral diplomacy, which sought to spread democratic values and empower developing nations to become self-sustaining and democratic.
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Support for nations upholding democratic values
Woodrow Wilson's moral diplomacy was a shift in foreign policy, hinging on moral values and the spread of democracy rather than purely imperialist interests. Wilson believed that moral diplomacy would empower developing nations to become self-sustaining and democratic, and he sought to offer support to nations that agreed to uphold democratic values.
The core of Wilson's moral diplomacy was the principle of self-determination, which he described as "the moral right of people to choose their form of government and leaders by democratic elections". This was in stark contrast to the policies of his predecessors, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, who upheld a strictly nationalist foreign policy and sought to expand the American Empire.
Wilson's belief in the spread of democracy was evident in his support for nations upholding democratic values. For example, in 1916, the Democratic-controlled Congress promised the residents of the Philippine Islands independence, and the next year, Puerto Rico achieved territorial status, and its residents became U.S. citizens. Wilson also signed twenty-two bilateral treaties that agreed to cooling-off periods and outside fact-finding commissions as alternatives to war.
In Mexico, Wilson refused to recognise the counterrevolutionary government of General Victoriano Huerta, who had seized power through a bloody authoritarian rule. Instead, he supported Venustiano Carranza, who became the de facto president of Mexico in 1914. Wilson also intervened in other Latin American countries, including Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Panama, believing that the US had a duty to spread democracy and teach the South American republics to "elect good men".
Wilson's moral diplomacy laid the groundwork for democratic nations to create international political conglomerates and work towards common goals. His vision of collective security through US leadership in international organisations, such as the League of Nations, appealed to the public and cemented the US as a global actor in international affairs.
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Intervention in Latin America
Woodrow Wilson's moral diplomacy entailed a shift in foreign policy to be hinged upon moral values and the spread of democracy, rather than purely imperialist interests. During his presidency, Wilson frequently intervened in the affairs of other countries, specifically in Latin America. This included interventions in Mexico in 1914, Haiti from 1915–1934, the Dominican Republic in 1916, Cuba in 1917, and Panama in 1918.
In Mexico, Wilson refused to recognize the counterrevolutionary government of General Victoriano Huerta, who had seized power through a coup in 1913 and imposed a bloody authoritarian rule on the country. Wilson's stance encouraged anti-Huerta forces in northern Mexico led by Venustiano Carranza. In April 1914, a diplomatic incident occurred when Mexican officials in Tampico arrested several American sailors who had blundered into a prohibited area. Wilson used this incident to justify ordering the US Navy to occupy the port city of Veracruz, which significantly weakened Huerta's control and led to his eventual surrender of power to Carranza, whom Wilson recognized as the de facto president of Mexico.
Wilson also sent US troops to Haiti and used aggressive moral diplomacy to force the Haitian legislature to choose the candidate he selected as Haitian President. In addition, the US maintained a military presence in Nicaragua throughout the Wilson administration and used its influence to select the country's president. In Cuba, the US gained the right to establish military bases through the passage of an amendment in 1898, during the Spanish-American War.
Wilson's predecessor, William Howard Taft, had also pursued a foreign policy in Latin America that encouraged US investment and economic profit. Taft's policy provided loans and guarantees to Latin American countries, with the expectation of receiving trading benefits in return.
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Encouraging self-determination
Woodrow Wilson's brand of moral diplomacy was predicated on the principle of self-determination. In his view, this form of diplomacy was not about extending American power but about empowering developing nations to become self-sufficient and democratic. This approach to foreign policy sought to counter European imperialist efforts and promote peace over war.
Wilson's belief in the importance of self-determination was evident in his refusal to recognise Victoriano Huerta's government in Mexico in 1913. Huerta, a counter-revolutionary general, had seized power through illegal means and imposed a bloody authoritarian regime on the country. Despite pressure from Americans with economic interests in Mexico and other foreign powers, Wilson refused to legitimise Huerta's government because it did not reflect the wishes of the Mexican people. Instead, he recognised Venustiano Carranza, who led anti-Huerta forces in northern Mexico, as the de facto president of Mexico.
Wilson's commitment to self-determination was also demonstrated in his response to Pancho Villa's incursion into New Mexico in 1916. Villa's actions threatened to provoke a war between the United States and the Carranza government. Despite this, Wilson reaffirmed his support for Mexican self-determination and agreed to work with the Mexican government to find ways to secure the border area.
In his "Fourteen Points" speech delivered to Congress in 1918, Wilson outlined his vision for a new diplomacy based on moral principles and self-determination. He called for an end to secret treaties and the evacuation of all territories occupied during the war, as well as the dismantling of the imperial order through the promotion of self-rule and independence. Wilson's policies, such as signing bilateral treaties that favoured cooling-off periods and outside fact-finding commissions over war, reflected his belief in the importance of self-determination and peaceful conflict resolution.
However, Wilson's idealistic vision for moral diplomacy and self-determination has also been criticised as a form of American exceptionalism, assuming that American values and political systems are universally applicable and superior to all others. His interventions in Latin America, including Mexico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Panama, have been seen as aggressive attempts to spread American values and democracy.
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Frequently asked questions
US President Woodrow Wilson advocated moral diplomacy.
Moral diplomacy was a form of diplomacy proposed by Wilson in his 1912 election campaign. It was hinged upon moral values and the spread of democracy rather than purely imperialist interests.
Wilson frequently intervened in the affairs of other countries, particularly in Latin America. This included interventions in Mexico in 1914, Haiti from 1915–1934, the Dominican Republic in 1916, Cuba in 1917, and Panama in 1918.
Wilson's moral diplomacy was based on the principle of self-determination, which he described as "the moral right of people to choose their form of government and leaders by democratic elections". He also believed that moral diplomacy would empower developing nations to become self-sustaining and democratic, and ultimately lead to a world with less war and more peace.
