As the United States transitioned from former colony to emerging global power, one man in particular actively took part in the transformation of his nation. Woodrow Wilson, who had once seen the Confederacy’s President Jefferson Davis carried off in chains, lived with America’s collective memory of the devastating Civil War it had just experienced, while anticipating the nation’s growing influence throughout the world. Whether or not Wilson was responsible for the failures of his 14 points proposal domestically or internationally, the political clout he wielded, particularly in relation to other countries, would become the mark of his consecutive terms in office and set the bar for future presidents who took foreign relations into their own
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Though Wilson interjected his own foreign policy making with his personal beliefs at times, the months he devoted to creating a free, stable, and self-governing world were stifled by opponents and even friends abroad and at home. Prior to the political war he fought with conservatives over the United States’ involvement in the League of Nations, Wilson had his fair share of problems during the Great War and the signing of the Versailles peace treaty. Edward M. House, a man who Knock describes as Wilson’s “most trusted counselor”, had ambitions of his own, ambitions which could be realized at the expense of the President’s vision for a new international political playing field. House, who had previously published a book about an “improbable protagonist” leading a revolution and reforming the government, often interpreted Wilson’s political desires as he undertook diplomatic missions abroad. While Wilson called for utter neutrality, House fostered strong pro-British sentiment which was reflected in his reports to Wilson. Acting on the President’s behalf, House travelled throughout Europe trying to establish the war-aims of each nation and pushing them towards a potential peace conference, but while Wilson sought “a war with no victors” House envisioned American …show more content…
The falling out he experienced with House paled in comparison to the in-fighting in the Democratic Party, as well as the opposition he faced in Henry Cabot Lodge. A Republican with significant political sway, Lodge was incensed that Wilson had embarked on a European “crusade” without advice from or participation by a significant number of Republicans. He was not one to shy away from attacking the incumbent President, saying Wilson was “prone to ‘enticing generalities’ and ‘shrill shrieks.’” Lodge attacked the President’s famous oration skills, his time spent abroad working on a treaty rather than addressing domestic issues, his idealistic desires for a new, democratic world, but perhaps most notoriously Wilson’s 14 points. Led by Lodge, a majority Republican “reservationist” movement emerged in opposition to the 14 points. Knock points out that the reservationists consolidated “forty-six amendments… to a total of, curiously, fourteen.,” perhaps in a bizarre sense of irony. Taking particular exception to Article X, which called for member nations of the League to take up arms and defend states against aggressors, the movement’s reservations and amendments would have all but reduced American involvement to nothing, while undermining the integrity and strength of the League of Nations, which
Though Wilson interjected his own foreign policy making with his personal beliefs at times, the months he devoted to creating a free, stable, and self-governing world were stifled by opponents and even friends abroad and at home. Prior to the political war he fought with conservatives over the United States’ involvement in the League of Nations, Wilson had his fair share of problems during the Great War and the signing of the Versailles peace treaty. Edward M. House, a man who Knock describes as Wilson’s “most trusted counselor”, had ambitions of his own, ambitions which could be realized at the expense of the President’s vision for a new international political playing field. House, who had previously published a book about an “improbable protagonist” leading a revolution and reforming the government, often interpreted Wilson’s political desires as he undertook diplomatic missions abroad. While Wilson called for utter neutrality, House fostered strong pro-British sentiment which was reflected in his reports to Wilson. Acting on the President’s behalf, House travelled throughout Europe trying to establish the war-aims of each nation and pushing them towards a potential peace conference, but while Wilson sought “a war with no victors” House envisioned American …show more content…
The falling out he experienced with House paled in comparison to the in-fighting in the Democratic Party, as well as the opposition he faced in Henry Cabot Lodge. A Republican with significant political sway, Lodge was incensed that Wilson had embarked on a European “crusade” without advice from or participation by a significant number of Republicans. He was not one to shy away from attacking the incumbent President, saying Wilson was “prone to ‘enticing generalities’ and ‘shrill shrieks.’” Lodge attacked the President’s famous oration skills, his time spent abroad working on a treaty rather than addressing domestic issues, his idealistic desires for a new, democratic world, but perhaps most notoriously Wilson’s 14 points. Led by Lodge, a majority Republican “reservationist” movement emerged in opposition to the 14 points. Knock points out that the reservationists consolidated “forty-six amendments… to a total of, curiously, fourteen.,” perhaps in a bizarre sense of irony. Taking particular exception to Article X, which called for member nations of the League to take up arms and defend states against aggressors, the movement’s reservations and amendments would have all but reduced American involvement to nothing, while undermining the integrity and strength of the League of Nations, which