Presidents Roosevelt and Wilson's Foreign Policy Compared

Joe Mullane

HIST 122

Prof. Giannettino

3/4/2014

Presidents Roosevelt and Wilsons foreign Policy Compared

        Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson are two of the most celebrated Presidents of the twentieth century. Theodore Roosevelt, who was a Republican, had a military background and whose personality can be summed up in one quote, “Walk Softly but Carry a Big Stick”. On the other hand Woodrow Wilson, who was a Democrat, formed the idea of preserve peace. The two leaders, although of different political parties, with somewhat differentiating domestic policies had very similar foreign policies.

        In foreign affairs, the “White Man’s Burden” helped to justify Roosevelt’s “New Imperialism” in foreign policy. Uncivilized nations would gain eventual independence once they had conformed to the American model of government and democracy. Roosevelt’s corollary to the Monroe Doctrine set up the U.S. as policemen in the Western Hemisphere. Under Roosevelt, the U.S. Empire extended to include the Philippines, Cuba, Haiti, The Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. He also oversaw the building of the Panama Canal, a tremendous feat that enhanced U.S. commerce immeasurably. Roosevelt was also instrumental in brokering peace between Japan and Russia over the contested areas of Manchuria and Korea in 1905 for which he won a Nobel Peace Prize. President Roosevelt’s famous quote “Walk Softly and Carry a Big Stick” was never more prevalent than when he sent American Navy ships nicknamed “The Great White Fleet” on a tour around the world to demonstrate American power.

        On the other side, Wilson’s own policies could sometimes be high-handed. His administration intervened militarily more often in Latin America than any of his predecessors. Wilson’s foreign policy was based on an altruistic yearning to impart the benefits of constitutional democracy on other nations. To his detractors, his approach was seen as condescending and naïve. Wilson’s core belief that a moral force controlled the relations of peace would shape his attitude and actions during the First World War. American neutrality ended when Germans refused to suspend submarine warfare after 120 Americans were killed aboard the British liner Lusitania and a secret German offer of a military alliance with Mexico against the United States was uncovered. With the nation at war, Wilson set aside his domestic agenda to concentrate on a full-scale mobilization of the economy and industry. During the war, the government took over the railroad system and massive airplane and ship building programs were launched. Americans began paying an income tax and buying liberty bonds to pay for the war. The American and its allies were victorious and as the war came to an end, Wilson introduced his “Fourteen Points” program. Wilson believed, if the program was made the basis of a postwar peace, it would prevent future wars.  Wilson decided that he would lead the American peace delegation in Paris, becoming the first President ever to go to Europe while still in office. Despite Wilson’s best efforts, however, the treaty of Versailles, departed significantly from the Fourteen Points, leaving both the Germans and many Americans bitterly disillusioned.