Lecture 4 World War I and the Wilsonian Moment

Question 1

Taft’s normal internationalism

Answer 1

1908-12

Question 2

Dollar diplomacy

Answer 2

“This policy has been characterized as substituting

dollars for bullets.” (W. Taft, 1912)

Question 3

Dollar diplomacy tested: US control over customs Dominican Rep.

Answer 3

• Regional stabilization and prevention of European
interference
• Leading US role in progress civilization w/out military intervention

Question 4

US universalism and Pan-American Exception - model for other American nations

Answer 4

“We must teach them to elect good men”

[Wilson with regard to Mexico, 1914]

Question 5

US early policy in WWI: neutrality

Answer 5

• Vindication of US exceptionalism
• Commercial benefits: trade, neutrals’ rights
• Compromise establishment/minorities
• Belief in short duration of the war

Question 6

Collective security v. Balance of power: a “community of power”

Answer 6

Wilsons “Community of power”, 1917:
“Only a tranquil Europe can be a stable Europe. There must be, not a balance of power, but a community of power; not organized rivalries, but an organized common peace” - The League of Nations.

Question 7

The US goes to war, April 1917 - CAUSES

Answer 7

• Reaffirm US identity and mission (ex. Paine)
• To avoid defeat of GB/FR (creditors/backbone of
international system)
• Public opinion (reaction to submarine warfare + Zimmerman incident)
• Geopolitics: fear of dominant power in Eurasia
• Dictate the terms of peace

Question 8

The US goes to war, April 1917 - CONSEQUENCES

Answer 8

• Selective Draft Act (May 18, 1917) authorized the federal government to raise a national army for the American entry into World War I through the compulsory enlistment of people.
• Domestic restrictions of liberty: Sedition Act of 1918 stated that people or countries cannot say negative things about the government or the war.
• Expansion of federal government, spending (Liberty Bonds)
• Mobilization of the home front (CPI)
• War of ideas: 14 points

Question 9

Declaration of war v. Germany

Answer 9

April 1917 - “The world must be made safe for democracy.”

Question 10

The war of ideas: the 14 points (1/1918)

Answer 10

• Interdependence = collective security (League of Nations)
• Self determination +public diplomacy = democracy
• Rules = international law & equality of nations
• End of War = disarmament
• US leadership: far superior power, morally and materially

Question 11

Wilsonian Contradictions

Answer 11

• New Internationalism limited to those falling within the
orbit of “civilization” (racial dimension, post WWI «mandates»)
• Collective security and multilateralism vs. US exceptionalim and primacy
• Self-determination and democracy vs. “Beast” of
nationalism and discrimination of minorities in Europe
• Search for peace and stability vs. fragmentation and
geopolitical precariousness
• Rule of law vs. domestic repression of dissent/pacifism

Question 12

Committee on Public Information (CPI)

Answer 12

An independent agency of the government of the United States created to influence U.S. public opinion regarding American participation in World War I.