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7.4 Foreign Policy and World War I - Coggle Diagram
7.4 Foreign Policy and World War I
Wilson and American Foreign Policy, 1912-1917
For the first three years of World War I, also known as the Great War, Wilson kept the United States neutral, though privately he supported the British.
Wilson demanded that Germany refrain from further attacks against passenger liners and offer a financial settlement to the Lusitania’s survivors. Unwilling to risk war with the United States, the Germans consented.
Mexican Revolution: 1911 revolution in Mexico, which led to nearly a decade of bloodshed and civil war. The resulting instability threatened U.S. interests in Mexico, particularly oil. Wilson withdrew diplomatic recognition from Mexico.
To build Military Preparedness of the war, he signed into law the National Defense Act, which increased the size of the army, navy, and National Guard.
Waging Peace after World War 1
League of Nations: a body of large and small nations that would guarantee peaceful resolution of disputes and back up decisions through collective action, including the use of military force as a last resort.
The president believed that capitalism, as regulated and reformed during the Progressive Era, would raise living conditions throughout the world as it had done in the United States, would prevent the spread of communism, and would benefit U.S. commerce.
Treaty of Versailles: 1919 treaty officially ending World War I.
Wilson needed the league to keep the peace so that war-ravaged and recovering nations had the opportunity to practice economic freedom and political democracy.
Wilson’s stubbornness more than equaled Lodge’s, and the president refused to compromise further over the League. Insisting that he was morally bound to honor the treaty he had negotiated in good faith, Wilson rejected additional changes. Went on national tour to campaign against the 39 senators that opposed the league, ended up falling short of the treaty and the US never signed the treaty of Versailles or joined the LoN
Making the World Safe for Democracy
Zimmermann telegram: Germany had offered Mexico an alliance in the event that the United States joined the Allies. If the Central Powers won, Mexico would receive the territory it had lost to the United States in the mid-nineteenth century.
The world must be made safe for democracy,” he informed Congress in his war message, and he had concluded that the only way to guarantee this outcome was by helping to defeat Germany.
Selective Service Act: 1917 act authorizing a nationwide draft.
AEF: Established in 1917 after the United States entered World War I. These army troops served in Europe under the command of General John J. Pershing.
Fighting the War at Home
Progressives had relied on government commissions to regulate business practices as well as health and safety standards, the WIB was created as a response.
Food Administration, regulate consumption of food, Fuel administration to conserve fuel, railroad administration to be considerate of the troops and railway usage.
NWLB: Government agency created in 1918 to settle labor disputes. The NWLB consisted of representatives from unions, corporations, and the public.
Espionage Act prohibited antiwar activities, Sedition act punished individuals who expressed beliefs disloyal to the US
CPI: Committee established in 1917 to create propaganda and promote censorship to generate enthusiasm for World War I and stifle antiwar dissent.