1910s America under Woodrow Wilson

1910s Under Wilson

Key Question

What ideas dominated 1910s America?

Glossary

  • Neutrality: The state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict.
  • Isolationism: A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political affairs of other countries.

Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam is a popular symbol for the United States, typically depicted as a cartoon figure with long white hair and chin whiskers, dressed in a swallow-tailed coat, vest, tall hat, and striped trousers. The name is believed to have originated from Sam Wilson, a New York merchant who supplied beef to American troops during the War of 1812. Uncle Sam's appearance is derived from earlier symbolic figures in American folklore: Yankee Doodle and Brother Jonathan.

Legacy of Neutrality

George Washington established a legacy of neutrality for the United States in European conflicts. In 1793, he issued a statement of neutrality during the war between Britain and France, emphasizing that the U.S. should remain impartial. His Farewell Address in 1796 further reiterated this idea, stating that Europe's interests are foreign to U.S. concerns and that the U.S.'s detached situation allows it to pursue a different course by avoiding involvement in European politics. Washington believed the U.S. could eventually reach a point where its neutrality would be respected and it could choose peace or war based on its own interests and justice.

Woodrow Wilson

  • Born in 1856 in Virginia.
  • Graduated from Princeton with a law degree and from Johns Hopkins University with a PhD.
  • A member of the Democratic Party, served as the governor of New Jersey from 1910.
  • Elected as the 28th President of the United States in 1912.
  • Served as a Progressive Democrat, implementing reforms on child labor, working hours, federal income tax for the wealthiest Americans, and loan schemes for farmers.

Wilson’s Foreign Policy Objectives

  • Internationalism: Moving away from isolationism.
  • Reduction of armaments following World War I.
  • Adjustments of colonial claims in Europe.
  • Freedom of economic trade.

Neutrality vs. WW1

Key Ideas:
https://www.britannica.com/video/72925/policy-neutrality-World-War-

Returning to Isolationism

After World War I, Woodrow Wilson wanted the U.S. to become a leader in world affairs and created the Fourteen Points as the basis for the League of Nations. However, most Americans opposed the League and wanted to return to isolationism, not wanting soldiers killed in foreign wars. Wilson was rejected, and Warren G. Harding was elected President.

Wilson’s 14 Points

In an effort to make the world ‘safe for Democracy,’ Wilson aimed to end the European war. He and his advisors recruited 150 political and social scientists to research the conflict's root causes, resulting in a recommendation of 14 key points that would allow peace to be achieved in Europe.

The 14 Points Summarized

  1. Open diplomacy without secret treaties.
  2. Economic free trade on the seas during war and peace.
  3. Equal trade conditions.
  4. Decrease armaments among all nations.
  5. Adjust colonial claims.
  6. Evacuation of all Central Powers from Russia and allow it to define its own independence.
  7. Belgium to be evacuated and restored.
  8. Return of Alsace-Lorraine region and all French territories.
  9. Readjust Italian borders.
  10. Austria-Hungary to be provided an opportunity for self-determination.
  11. Redraw the borders of the Balkan region creating Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro.
  12. Creation of a Turkish state with guaranteed free trade in the Dardanelles.
  13. Creation of an independent Polish state.
  14. Creation of the League of Nations.

The Failure of the 14 Points

Wilson hoped the 14 Points would be used to develop the Treaty of Versailles, but they were met with opposition by the Allies who wanted to punish Germany. Ultimately considered a failure, the 14 Points are thought as a leading factor for the outbreak of World War II two decades later.

Why do you think the Allies might not have wanted to implement Wilson’s 14 points? (Think about the nature/goal of the points)

League of Nations

One of Wilson’s Points was the creation of a League of Nations. Despite opposition to many of his points, the organization was established on January 10, 1920. The role of the League of Nations was to ensure future peace in the world and avoid military conflict. Wilson fought for US involvement by asking the Senate to sign the Treaty of Versailles but was at odds with other American politicians who believed it would limit ‘American Freedoms’. During this time, Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke leaving him incapacitated and the Treaty was shot down by the Senate in March of 1920.

Response in the US

Republican Henry Cabot Lodge: Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee

Due to its unpopularity and the desire of Americans to return to isolationism, the US never joined the League of Nations. Many in the US Senate believed that by ratifying the 14 Points and signing the Treaty of Versailles to belong to the League of Nations, they would be sacrificing their political sovereignty.

Summary

Answer the EQ in your Summary