Isabella Carter
Woodrow Wilson's foreign policy was based on the concept of 'moral diplomacy', which he introduced during his presidency from 1913 to 1921. Wilson's approach was a departure from the more aggressive foreign policies of his predecessors, focusing on morality, democracy, and ethical considerations rather than the selfish materialism and self-interest of the US. Wilson believed that the United States should promote democracy and human rights across the globe and support smaller nations that abided by 'American' values of political democracy and self-determination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Support of smaller nations | Support of nations that abide by 'American' values of political democracy and self-determination |
| Economic and military pressure towards nations who rejected 'American' values | Economic pressure |
| Opposition to imperialism | Support for self-determination |
| Support for world peace | Support for democracy |
| Support for human rights | Support for ethical responsibility |
| Support for free trade | Support for open markets |
| Opposition to secret treaties | Support for freedom of the seas |
| Support for the League of Nations | Support for internationalism |
| Support for non-interventionism | Support for multilateralism |
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What You'll Learn
Support for smaller nations
Woodrow Wilson's moral diplomacy was a departure from the previous American foreign policy of imperialism and economic self-interest. Wilson's approach was based on the principle of self-determination, with the belief that people had the moral right to choose their own governments and leaders through democratic elections. This was in contrast to the policies of former presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, which were focused on expanding the American Empire and economic gain.
Wilson's moral diplomacy sought to support smaller nations in their pursuit of democracy and self-governance. This was particularly evident in Latin America, which was under the influence of imperialism, something Wilson opposed. He frequently intervened in the affairs of Latin American countries, including Mexico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Panama. In Mexico, for example, Wilson refused to recognize the authoritarian government of General Victoriano Huerta, which had come to power through a counterrevolution. Instead, he supported anti-Huerta forces in northern Mexico led by Venustiano Carranza. Wilson also used the incident of American sailors being arrested in Tampico to justify ordering the US Navy to occupy the port city of Veracruz, which ultimately helped Carranza gain power.
Another example of Wilson's support for smaller nations can be seen in his response to the Haitian legislature's choice of president. Under his administration, American troops in Haiti forced the Haitian legislature to choose the candidate Wilson selected, ensuring the implementation of his preferred leader. Similarly, in Nicaragua, the US maintained troops and used them to select the country's president. Wilson's interventions in these countries demonstrate his aggressive approach to ensuring democratic values and his belief in the moral right of nations to self-determination.
Wilson's moral diplomacy also extended to the Philippines and Puerto Rico. In 1916, the Democratic-controlled Congress promised the residents of the Philippine Islands independence, and the following year, Puerto Rico achieved territorial status, and its residents became US citizens. These actions further highlight Wilson's commitment to supporting smaller nations in their pursuit of self-governance and democracy.
Through his moral diplomacy, Wilson hoped to position the United States as a moral leader in international affairs. He believed that by advocating for democratic principles and moral responsibility, the United States could serve as a model for other nations, leading to a more peaceful and just world order.
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Opposition to imperialism
Woodrow Wilson's moral diplomacy was a direct opposition to the imperialism of his predecessors, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. Roosevelt (1901-1909) and Taft (1909-1913) both upheld a strictly nationalist foreign policy, seeking to expand the American Empire and its interests abroad.
Wilson, however, believed that the underlying cause of the First World War was the militant nationalism of the major European powers and the ethnic hatreds in Central and Eastern Europe. This led to his conviction that imperialism and militant nationalism were detrimental, and he sought to curb their growth. In his view, moral diplomacy was an alternative to imperialism, empowering developing nations to become self-sustaining and democratic.
In his 1914 address on "The Meaning of Liberty", Wilson alluded to America's potential to be a guiding light to the world, leading mankind to justice, liberty, and peace. He put these ideas into action through moral diplomacy, intervening in the affairs of other countries, particularly in Latin America. Wilson's moral diplomacy took the form of intervention in elections and political affairs to 'support' the development of democratic systems and values. He also 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.
However, critics argue that Wilson's actions in Latin America were a form of imperialism in themselves. For example, in Haiti, American troops under the federal government's command forced the Haitian legislature to choose the candidate Wilson selected as Haitian President. Similarly, in the Dominican Republic, Wilson's military occupation failed to create the democratic state that was its stated objective. In 1916, Wilson also practised an old-fashioned form of imperialism by purchasing the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million.
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Promotion of democracy
Woodrow Wilson is credited with coining the term "moral diplomacy" and implementing it as a central aspect of his foreign policy as President of the United States. Wilson's moral diplomacy was based on the values of democracy, morality, and national self-determination, marking a shift from the imperialist policies of his predecessors.
Woodrow Wilson's moral diplomacy was closely tied to the promotion of democracy and self-determination of nations. He believed that the United States had a duty to spread democracy and used his diplomatic approach to pursue this objective. This belief in the "moral right of people to choose their form of government and leaders by democratic elections" was a core principle of Wilson's foreign policy.
In his “Fourteen Points” speech delivered to Congress on January 8, 1918, Wilson outlined his vision for a new diplomacy centred on moral values and democracy. The speech called for open covenants, the end of secret treaties, and the self-determination of nations, with a focus on creating a more peaceful and just world order. Wilson saw moral diplomacy as a way to position the United States as a moral leader on the global stage, advocating for democratic principles and moral responsibility.
Wilson's promotion of democracy extended beyond his rhetoric. He actively intervened in the affairs of other countries, particularly in Latin America, to encourage the adoption of democratic systems. For example, in Mexico, he refused to recognise the government of General Victoriano Huerta due to its undemocratic nature and supported anti-Huerta forces, ultimately leading to Huerta's downfall. Wilson also maintained troops in Nicaragua and used them to select the country's president, demonstrating his aggressive approach to ensuring democratic leadership in the region.
Additionally, Wilson's administration took steps towards granting independence to the Philippines and granting territorial status to Puerto Rico, whose residents became US citizens. These actions reflected his commitment to the spread of democracy and self-determination, even in US territories.
Through his moral diplomacy, Wilson sought to empower developing nations to become self-sustaining and democratic, intervening in European imperialist efforts to create a world with less war and more peace. His idealistic vision laid the groundwork for democratic nations to collaborate internationally and cemented the US as a global actor in international affairs, with a belief in American morality and democratic values at its core.
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Tariff reform
Woodrow Wilson is credited with coining the term "moral diplomacy" during his presidency. He believed that the United States had a duty to spread democracy and moral responsibility in international affairs. Wilson's moral diplomacy was a departure from the previous administration's "dollar diplomacy", which focused on economic support and imperialist interests. Wilson's approach, in contrast, was based on moral values and sought to empower developing nations to become self-sustaining and democratic.
Wilson's moral diplomacy was influenced by his belief in American exceptionalism, the idea that the United States has a unique mission to spread liberty and democracy worldwide. This belief can be traced back to Alexis de Tocqueville, who first described the United States as "exceptional" in the 1830s. Wilson's 1914 address on "The Meaning of Liberty" reflected this idea, as he envisioned the United States as a beacon of liberty and justice for the world.
One of the key principles of Wilson's moral diplomacy was self-determination, which he defined as "the moral right of people to choose their form of government and leaders through democratic elections." He saw moral diplomacy as a way to dismantle the imperial order and promote self-rule in colonial holdings. This was particularly aimed at European imperial powers that held significant control over developing nations and colonial territories. Wilson frequently intervened in Latin American countries, including Mexico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Panama, to promote democratic values and systems.
Wilson's famous Fourteen Points speech, delivered to Congress on January 8, 1918, outlined his vision for a new diplomacy based on open covenants and the evacuation of occupied territories. He proposed general disarmament, fair treatment of revolutionary Russia, and the creation of the League of Nations to ensure collective security and prevent future conflicts. While his Fourteen Points were not immediately enacted, they laid the groundwork for the United States to become a global actor in international affairs, with a focus on moral leadership.
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Self-determination
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, is credited with coining the term "moral diplomacy". This new form of diplomacy was centred on the values of democracy and national self-determination, rather than pure economic interest. Wilson's moral diplomacy was a departure from the more aggressive and imperialist foreign policies of his predecessors, which were based on expanding the American Empire and economic power.
The core principle of Wilson's moral diplomacy was the belief in the moral right of people to choose their form of government and leaders through democratic elections. This belief in self-determination was evident in his response to the Mexican Revolution, where he refused to recognise the government of General Victoriano Huerta due to its undemocratic nature and instead supported anti-Huerta forces in northern Mexico led by Venustiano Carranza. In 1914, after Mexican officials in Tampico arrested several American sailors, Wilson used the incident to justify ordering the US Navy to occupy the port city of Veracruz, which ultimately led to Huerta's fall from power.
Wilson also promoted self-determination in other Latin American countries, including Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Panama. In Haiti, for example, American troops forced the Haitian legislature to choose the candidate Wilson selected as Haitian President. Wilson frequently intervened in the affairs of these countries, stating in 1913, "I am going to teach the South American republics to elect good men".
Wilson's belief in self-determination extended beyond the Americas. In his Fourteen Points speech delivered to Congress on January 8, 1918, he outlined his vision for a new diplomacy that included the establishment of the League of Nations to ensure collective security and prevent future conflicts. He also called for the dismantling of 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.
Overall, Wilson's moral diplomacy sought to empower developing nations to become self-sustaining and democratic, intervening in European imperialist efforts to forge a world with less war and more peace.
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Frequently asked questions
Moral diplomacy was coined by President Woodrow Wilson.
The core principle of Wilson's moral diplomacy was the principle of self-determination, which was the moral right of people to choose their form of government and leaders through democratic elections.
Wilson's moral diplomacy differed from the policies of his predecessors, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, by focusing on morality and ethical considerations rather than the selfish materialism and military strength that animated his predecessors' programs.
