Omar Bennett
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, is credited with creating the concept of moral diplomacy. Wilson, a former professor of American government, believed that the United States had a moral responsibility to spread its democratic values and ideals abroad. This belief, known as American exceptionalism, guided Wilson's foreign policy and led to interventions in Latin America, including Mexico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Panama. Wilson's moral diplomacy advocated for self-determination and democracy, and he worked to increase the number of democratic nations, particularly in Latin America.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of diplomacy | Moral diplomacy |
| Proposed by | President Woodrow Wilson |
| Year proposed | 1912 |
| Premise | Support countries with beliefs analogous to the U.S. |
| Objective | Promote democracy and peace worldwide |
| Target regions | Latin America, Mexico, China |
| Self-determination | People's moral right to choose their government and leaders |
| American exceptionalism | Belief in the superiority of American values |
| Economic interests | Belief that economic interests should be secondary to ideals and morality |
| Internationalism | Shift from isolationism to international involvement |
| Disarmament | Emphasis on reducing armies and navies for world peace |
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What You'll Learn
Wilson's belief in American exceptionalism
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, is credited with creating moral mission diplomacy, also known as moral diplomacy. Wilson's belief in American exceptionalism was a key factor in shaping his foreign policy approach.
American exceptionalism is the belief that the United States is distinct, unique, or exemplary compared to other nations. It is often associated with the idea that the US has a special role or mission in the world, and it stems from the country's history, values, and principles. Wilson's interpretation of American exceptionalism influenced his view that the US had a moral obligation to spread democracy and liberty worldwide.
In his 1914 address on "The Meaning of Liberty," Wilson alluded to America's potential to be "the light which will shine unto all generations and guide the feet of mankind to the goal of justice and liberty and peace." He saw the United States as a beacon of democracy and freedom, with a duty to promote these values globally. This belief in American exceptionalism led to his concept of moral diplomacy, where support was given only to countries with similar democratic beliefs, while economically hindering non-democratic countries.
Wilson actively promoted democracy and peace through his foreign policy initiatives. He believed that democracy was essential for national stability and prosperity, and he worked to increase the number of democratic nations, particularly in Latin America. He also advocated for self-determination, as seen in his support for Mexican revolutionaries against the authoritarian rule of General Victoriano Huerta.
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Support for democratic governments
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, is credited with creating moral diplomacy, a form of diplomacy in which support is given only to countries with beliefs analogous to that of the United States. This policy was used to support countries with democratic governments and economically damage non-democratic countries, which were seen as possible threats to the US.
Wilson frequently intervened in the affairs of other countries, especially in Latin America, to promote democracy. He believed that the US had a duty to spread democracy and used aggressive moral diplomacy to ensure this objective. This was known as missionary diplomacy, an expansion of President James Monroe's 1823 Monroe Doctrine.
Wilson's support for democratic governments was evident in his dealings with Mexico. In 1913, Mexico came under the rule of the counter-revolutionary General Victoriano Huerta, who imposed a bloody authoritarian rule on the country. While most European nations welcomed the order and friendly climate for foreign investments that Huerta offered, Wilson refused to recognise his government, calling it "a government of butchers". Wilson supported anti-Huerta forces in northern Mexico led by Venustiano Carranza. In April 1914, he ordered US forces to occupy the Mexican port of Veracruz to cut off Huerta's supply lines, and within three months, Huerta had resigned. Wilson then withdrew US troops and recognised Carranza as the de facto president of Mexico.
Wilson also intervened in other Latin American countries, including Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Panama. In Haiti, for example, American troops, under the command of the federal government, forced the Haitian legislature to choose the candidate Wilson selected as Haitian President.
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 evacuation of all territories occupied during the war, and the dismantling of the imperial order by allowing colonial holdings to move towards self-rule. He also proposed general disarmament, with Germans and Austrians giving up their armed forces first, and fair treatment of revolutionary Russia.
Wilson's belief in democracy as the most essential aspect of a stable and prosperous nation led him to promote democracy and peace throughout the world. He saw the League of Nations as an instrument for the application of Wilsonian democracy on an international scale. Wilson's policies, driven by his ethical and religious beliefs, transformed American foreign policy from isolationism to internationalism, with a belief in American morality at its core.
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Economic injury to non-democratic countries
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, is credited with creating moral diplomacy, a form of diplomacy that involves supporting countries with similar beliefs and values to those of the nation. This form of diplomacy was used to economically injure non-democratic countries, which were seen as potential threats to the United States.
Wilson's belief in moral diplomacy was driven by his conviction that the United States had a moral responsibility to spread democracy and peace throughout the world. This belief was influenced by American exceptionalism, the idea that the United States is uniquely qualified to spread liberty and democracy due to its emergence from a revolution and its development of a distinct ideology based on liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and laissez-faire. Wilson's moral diplomacy was a significant shift from the previous administration's "dollar diplomacy", which focused on economic support for other nations.
The economic injury to non-democratic countries as a result of Wilson's moral diplomacy was a key aspect of his foreign policy. Wilson frequently intervened in the affairs of other countries, particularly in Latin America, to promote democracy and ensure that countries with different ideologies were damaged. For example, in Mexico, Wilson refused to recognize the government of General Victoriano Huerta, who had seized power through a counterrevolution and imposed a bloody authoritarian rule. 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 intervened in other countries in the region, including Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Panama. In Haiti, for example, American troops under the command of the federal government forced the Haitian legislature to choose Wilson's selected candidate as Haitian President. These interventions were justified by Wilson's belief in the importance of self-determination and the moral right of people to choose their leaders through democratic elections.
The economic injury to non-democratic countries was also a result of Wilson's belief in the superiority of democracy as a form of government. He considered democracy to be the most essential aspect of a stable and prosperous nation and thought that countries with different ideologies posed a threat to the United States. By economically injuring these countries, Wilson believed he was promoting the growth of democratic ideals and increasing the number of democratic nations, particularly in Latin America.
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Interventions in Latin America
President Woodrow Wilson is credited with creating moral diplomacy, a form of diplomacy in which support is given only to countries with beliefs analogous to that of the United States. This policy was used to support countries with democratic governments and economically damage non-democratic countries, with the aim of increasing the number of democratic nations, particularly in Latin America.
Wilson frequently intervened in the affairs of Latin American countries, stating in 1913: "I am going to teach the South American republics to elect good men". These interventions included Mexico in 1914, Haiti from 1915–1934, the Dominican Republic in 1916, Cuba in 1917, and Panama in 1918. The US also maintained troops in Nicaragua throughout Wilson's administration and used them to select the country's president. American troops in Haiti, under the command of the federal government, forced the Haitian legislature to choose Wilson's selected candidate as Haitian President.
Wilson's actions in Latin America were driven by his belief in American exceptionalism, the idea that the United States is uniquely qualified to spread liberty and democracy worldwide. This belief informed his concept of moral diplomacy, which he saw as a way to promote democracy and peace internationally. He also believed that democracy was the most Christian form of government and thus suitable for all peoples.
Mexico posed a particular challenge for Wilson's moral diplomacy. The country had been in a state of revolution since 1899, and in 1913 it came under the rule of the counterrevolutionary General Victoriano Huerta, whose regime was characterised by bloody authoritarianism. Wilson refused to recognise Huerta's government, considering it illegitimate and demanding that he resign. In April 1914, he ordered US forces to occupy the Mexican port of Veracruz to cut off Huerta's supply lines. Within three months, Huerta had resigned, and Wilson withdrew US troops. This intervention in Mexico marked the beginning of Wilson's expression of his ideas for a new American "moral diplomacy".
Wilson's interventions in Latin America were part of his broader foreign policy agenda, which included calls for national self-determination and a shift from isolationism to internationalism. He envisioned a world where democracy thrived and believed that the United States had a God-given mission to spread democratic ideals globally. Wilson's foreign policy was also influenced by his ethical and religious beliefs, with his policies operating within the framework of moral diplomacy.
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Belief in the superiority of democracy
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, is credited with creating moral diplomacy, a policy that emerged from his belief in the superiority of democracy. Wilson's commitment to democratic ideals and his desire to spread them globally shaped his foreign policy approach, which aimed to promote democracy and peace worldwide.
Wilson's belief in the superiority of democracy was rooted in his understanding of American exceptionalism, the idea that the United States has a unique mission and role in the world. This belief, influenced by his ethical and religious values, held that democracy was the most Christian form of government and, therefore, universally applicable and beneficial to all nations. In his view, the democratic system, based on values such as liberty, egalitarianism, and individualism, was inherently superior to other forms of government.
Wilson's conviction in the superiority of democracy led him to actively promote it in US foreign policy. He saw the United States as a beacon of democracy and freedom, with a moral responsibility to support other democratic nations and encourage the transition to democracy in non-democratic countries. This belief guided his interventions in Latin America, particularly in Mexico, where he refused to recognise the authoritarian regime of General Victoriano Huerta, instead supporting the anti-Huerta forces led by Venustiano Carranza.
Wilson's belief in the superiority of democracy also extended to his vision for a new international order after World War I. In his "Fourteen Points" speech delivered to Congress in 1918, he outlined his ideals for a peaceful and democratic world. He called for self-determination, open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, and the establishment of an international organisation to maintain peace and security. Wilson's belief in democracy as a stabilising force led him to propose general disarmament, arguing that reducing armies and navies would decrease tensions and promote global stability.
Additionally, Wilson's administration took steps to promote democracy in US territories. In 1916, the Democratic-controlled Congress promised independence to the residents of the Philippine Islands, and the following year, Puerto Rico achieved territorial status, with its residents becoming US citizens. These actions reflected Wilson's belief in the universality and superiority of democratic principles and their potential to bring positive change to other nations.
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Frequently asked questions
President Woodrow Wilson created moral diplomacy.
Moral diplomacy was a form of diplomacy proposed by Wilson in his 1912 election campaign. It involved only giving support to countries with similar values and beliefs to the United States. This was intended to promote democracy and peace throughout the world.
Moral diplomacy led to intervention in other countries' affairs, particularly in Latin America. Wilson frequently interfered in the affairs of nations in this region, including Mexico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Panama.
Wilson's ideas about moral diplomacy stemmed from American exceptionalism and the belief that the United States had a God-given mission to spread its democratic ideals worldwide. Wilson's ethical and religious beliefs also influenced his foreign policy.
