1. Topic: Estimating Wilson’s Foreign Policy Prior to World War I
Do Now:
“TR’s foreign policy was based on abusing other nations. The Roosevelt Corollary created ‘bad blood’ between the US and Latin America. TR’s policies served to get us unjustly involved in other people’s affairs.”
Defend or Refute the statement

2. Election of 1916

3. Wilson’s views on Foreign Policy
At the onset, Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan shared similar views of US foreign policy
US should be a moral force
Pacifism
Anti-Imperialist (Bryan)
Wilson rejected TR’s approach and Taft’s dollar diplomacy
But, he was forced to send troops to Haiti and Dominican Republic to “restore order”
2-nation non-aggression treaties
War is “obsolete”?

4. Wilson and Mexico Mexican Revolution overthrows P. Diaz
General Huerta seizes power (“brute of Mexico”)
Wilson refuses to recognize the dictator
Tampico Incident (1914)
US seizes Vera Cruz
ABC Powers mediate
Huerta ousted
Carranza as President, Wilson cools off
“Pancho” Villa’s raids (New Mexico)
Problems w/ Mexico continue until 1917

5. Mexico: Two Views
“This government can, I hope, avoid war with Mexico. Mexico is torn by civil strife…it no longer has a functioning government. General Huerta is not the legal leader…Although our people have a deep affection for Mexican citizens…we need to carefully watch Mexico’s next moves. We should be ready to use force against Huerta if necessary…
- Woodrow Wilson
“Wilson’s Mexico policy is characterized by weakness, uncertainty, and a desire to interfere in Mexican affairs. We should either go into Mexico and pacify it completely or keep hands off of Mexico entirely…”
“Who is President Wilson to decide who should or should not be President of Mexico…?”
Wilson’s Republican Critics

6. Neutrality in World War I
WWI in Europe (1914)
Allies vs. Central Powers
Causes: Militarism, Alliances, Nationalism, Imperialism, Assassination
Wilson: US must be Neutral “in thought and in deed”
1916 election: Wilson “kept us out of war!”
American ties with the Allies
Sales of weapons, loans
British connection
US is dragged into the War
German U-Boats
Lusitania (1915)
Sussex Pledge (1916)
Zimmermann Telegram
Wilson asks Congress to declare war!

7. Wilson and Neutrality: Two Views
The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against all mankind....Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of the physical might of the nation, but only the vindication of right, of human right, of which we are only a single champion....Armed neutrality, it now appears, is impracticable.
Our object...is to vindicate the principles of peace and justice in the life of the world as against selfish and autocratic power....We are glad...to fight...for the ultimate peace of the world. The world must be made safe for democracy....We have no selfish ends to serve.
Woodrow Wilson, 1917
To what extent was America's war a war for business? Did Woodrow Wilson lead America into war in order to serve the selfish interests of the few? The answer is determined by looking into the essential facts. In the first place, Wall Street wanted war.
John Kenneth Turner, 1922