Simone Lawson
Woodrow Wilson's foreign policy was based on his philosophical belief that America had a moral responsibility to spread its principles and democratic ideals abroad. In his 1913 Address Before the Southern Commercial Congress, Wilson emphasised his desire to extend American friendship to the nations of Latin America. However, Wilson's actions in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, where he sent in American marines to restore order, contradicted his earlier criticism of intervention in Latin America. Wilson's Secretary of State, William Jennings Bryan, was accused of conducting grape juice diplomacy when he announced that intoxicating beverages would not be served at diplomatic functions. This term alluded to Bryan's well-known support for prohibition.
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What You'll Learn
- Wilson's physician prescribed him a raw egg and grape juice drink
- William Jennings Bryan was accused of conducting grape juice diplomacy
- Bryan's anti-imperialist and anti-militarist stance
- Wilson's foreign policy was based on idealism and morality
- Wilson's presidency marked the establishment of the modern presidency
Wilson's physician prescribed him a raw egg and grape juice drink
Woodrow Wilson's physician prescribed him a raw egg and grape juice drink, which the president referred to as a "healthy breakfast". The drink consisted of two raw eggs stirred into a glass of Concord grape juice. This concoction, which resembled a lavender smoothie, was likely prescribed to Wilson to help him gain weight. The president was known for his nonchalant attitude towards food and had little interest in eating. The drink was also possibly a way to get more calories into Wilson, especially after a 1913 stroke that seemed to sap his energy.
The recipe for this unusual beverage is quite simple. One simply needs to fill a tall glass halfway or three-quarters full with grape juice and then crack two raw eggs into it, being careful to keep any shell out. The mixture is then stirred with a long-necked spoon until well combined. This drink is a good source of vitamin C and resveratrol, which may offer some heart-healthy benefits.
While Wilson's breakfast may seem odd, he is not the only president with interesting breakfast habits. John Adams, for example, drank a cup of hard apple cider almost every morning, while William Howard Taft started his day with a steak. Wilson's secretary of state, William Jennings Bryan, also made headlines by announcing that intoxicating beverages would not be served at diplomatic functions, a move that earned him criticism and accusations of trying to conduct "grape juice diplomacy".
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William Jennings Bryan was accused of conducting grape juice diplomacy
William Jennings Bryan, who served as Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson from 1913 to 1915, was accused of conducting "grape juice diplomacy". Bryan was a dominant force in the Democratic Party and a three-time presidential nominee. Despite their lack of experience in foreign relations, Bryan was appointed to the role due to his extensive travels, popularity within the party, and support for Wilson in the election.
Bryan's commitment to Christianity and his desire to be regarded as a Christian statesman influenced his approach to diplomacy. He sought to bring Christian morality into international relations and believed that international peace was attainable through goodwill and brotherhood. Bryan promoted pacifism and diplomacy instead of military action and worked to establish peace treaties to prevent the United States from becoming involved in World War I.
However, Bryan faced criticism from the hostile Republican press, who accused him of conducting "grape juice diplomacy". This term was used to criticise Bryan's decision to ban intoxicating beverages from being served at diplomatic functions, reflecting his strong prohibitionist stance. Despite this criticism, Bryan continued to advocate for his principles and policies during his time as Secretary of State.
During his tenure, Bryan worked closely with Wilson to advance their shared goals. They rejected Dollar Diplomacy, the use of government funds to protect American business interests abroad, and passed laws that reduced tariff rates, imposed a progressive income tax, introduced new antitrust measures, and established the Federal Reserve System. Bryan also played a crucial role in ensuring that the president had the power to appoint members of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
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Bryan's anti-imperialist and anti-militarist stance
Woodrow Wilson's foreign policy was based on his messianic philosophical belief that America had the obligation to spread its principles while reflecting the 'truisms' of American thought. In his 1913 Address Before the Southern Commercial Congress, Wilson stated:
> In emphasizing the points which must unite us in sympathy and in spiritual interest with the Latin-American peoples we are only emphasizing the points of our own life, and we should prove ourselves untrue to our own traditions if we proved ourselves untrue friends to them. Do not think, therefore, gentlemen, that the questions of the day are mere questions of policy and diplomacy. They are shot through with the principles of life. We dare not turn from the principle that morality and not expediency is the thing that must guide us and that we will never condone iniquity because it is most convenient to do so.
Wilson's Secretary of State, William Jennings Bryan, was a key figure in his administration's foreign policy. Bryan was a prominent anti-imperialist and anti-militarist, and his appointment indicated a new departure for Wilson's foreign policy. Bryan had long been the leading opponent of imperialism and militarism and a pioneer in the world peace movement.
However, Wilson's actions as president did not always align with Bryan's anti-imperialist and anti-militarist stance. Despite his earlier criticism of intervention in Latin America, Wilson sent American marines to Haiti in 1915 and the Dominican Republic in 1916 to restore order. In 1916, Wilson also practiced an old-fashioned form of imperialism by buying the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million. Additionally, Wilson's idealistic internationalism, now referred to as "Wilsonianism," called for the United States to enter the world arena to fight for democracy, which has been a contentious position in American foreign policy.
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Wilson's foreign policy was based on idealism and morality
Woodrow Wilson's foreign policy was largely based on idealism and morality. Historian David Kennedy argues that American foreign relations since 1914 have been based on Wilsonian idealism. Wilson's diplomatic policies had a profound influence on shaping the world. Wilson's foreign policy was based on the belief that American values were superior to those of the rest of the world, and that democracy was the best system to promote peace and stability. He proposed an idealistic foreign policy based on morality rather than American self-interest.
Wilson and his Secretary of State, William Jennings Bryan, had little experience in foreign relations but were determined to base their policies on moral principles. They believed that democracy was gaining strength worldwide and were eager to encourage the process. Wilson's famous Fourteen Points, issued in January 1918, outlined his vision for ending World War I and promoting world peace. He advocated for a ""new diplomacy"" based on open covenants and the dismantling of the imperial order. He supported self-determination, democratic government, collective security, international law, and a league of nations.
However, Wilson's commitment to moral leadership was often challenged by economic and political realities. For example, his attempt to impose a moral foreign policy in Mexico, where he supported the rebel Pancho Villa, failed to achieve its objectives and led to a confrontation with Mexican forces. Similarly, despite his criticism of intervention in Latin America, Wilson sent American marines to Haiti and the Dominican Republic to restore order, undermining the promise of self-determination.
Wilson's foreign policy was also influenced by his desire to distinguish himself from the bullying tactics of Theodore Roosevelt and the Dollar Diplomacy of William Howard Taft. He initially opposed the use of government funds to protect American business interests abroad but later engaged in Dollar Diplomacy with Nicaragua to advance strategic interests. Wilson's idealism was further tested by the realities of World War I, where he was forced to compromise on his points for a peace settlement with Germany, resulting in the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed harsh terms on Germany.
Wilson's legacy in foreign affairs is complex. While he advocated for idealistic and moral principles, he also faced challenges and had to navigate complex political and economic factors. His ideas, such as self-determination, democratic government, and collective security, continue to influence foreign policy in the twenty-first century.
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Wilson's presidency marked the establishment of the modern presidency
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States, served from 1913 to 1921. Wilson's presidency marked the establishment of the modern presidency, as he took steps towards the creation of a strong federal government that protected citizens against the power of large corporations. He is regarded as a key figure in the establishment of modern American liberalism and a strong influence on future presidents such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Wilson's ambitious agenda of progressive reform included the establishment of the Federal Reserve, the Federal Trade Commission, the graduated income tax, and labor laws. He also nominated the first Jewish person, Louis Brandeis, to the U.S. Supreme Court. Wilson's administration passed the Revenue Act of 1916, which increased taxes on high earners and established a tax on the production of munitions. Additionally, Wilson established the first modern propaganda office, the Committee on Public Information (CPI), which systematically reached Americans with patriotic information and propaganda during World War I.
In foreign affairs, Wilson initially pursued a policy of neutrality, but eventually led the United States into World War I. He outlined his vision for a new diplomacy in the "Fourteen Points" speech, calling for open covenants, self-rule for colonies, and general disarmament. Despite his idealism, Wilson's actions in Latin America contradicted his promise of non-interference, and he engaged in imperialism by purchasing the Virgin Islands from Denmark.
Wilson's presidency was also marked by his focus on domestic issues, such as educational reform, and his establishment of the preceptorial system at Princeton University. He also played a role in the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted American women the right to vote in 1920.
Wilson's legacy is complex, and while he is praised for his progressive reforms, he has also been criticized for his racial policies, including his prevention of Black student enrollment at Princeton during his tenure as president of the university.
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Frequently asked questions
Grape Juice Diplomacy was a term used to criticise Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan's decision to not serve intoxicating beverages at diplomatic functions. Bryan, an ardent prohibitionist, was accused of trying to conduct diplomacy by serving grape juice.
Wilson's foreign policy approach was based on his philosophical belief that America had an obligation to spread its principles and reflect the 'truisms' of American thought. He aimed to define foreign policy in terms of ideals, morality, and the spread of democracy abroad. Wilson's idealistic internationalism, now referred to as "Wilsonianism", called for the United States to enter the world arena to fight for democracy.
The Fourteen Points speech, delivered to Congress on January 8, 1918, outlined Wilson's vision for a new diplomacy. It called for an end to secret treaties, general disarmament, and the dismantling of the imperial order by opening up colonial holdings to self-rule. Wilson's Fourteen Points were a powerful expression of the idealist strain in US diplomacy and served as the basis for negotiating the Treaty of Versailles.
Wilson's diplomacy had mixed results. While he successfully led America to victory in World War I, relying on a largely Black and female labour force, his administration also passed controversial Alien and Sedition laws and launched a racist anti-German propaganda machine. Wilson's idealism and vision for collective security through US leadership in international organisations, like the League of Nations, appealed to the public. However, the US ultimately declined membership in the League due to Article X, which committed the US to defend any League member under attack.
