During the 20th century, the world witnessed much devastation. World war one, known as the Great War, is often considered a major catastrophe of the twentieth century. The Great War began in 1914 and after the loss of many lives it finally came to an end in 1918. The aftermath of World War I drastically changed the political and social order of the world. The war was generally fought in Europe. However, the United States entered the war by choice later to help bring the war to an end. World war one was the most significant world event in 20th century as it upset the political balance at that time. Not only was the political balance affected but the war also upset the ecology of the world. Nevertheless, the war showed how stubborn ideas among …show more content…
When war breaks out in Europe Wilson announces that the United States will stay neutral and isolated. Meanwhile Americans were concerned about the international stability and their own national security. Politicians like Theodore Roosevelt call Wilson a coward and believe America must intervene in the war as it is part of American principles. In order to understand Wilson’s decisions, we must take the Platt and Teller amendment into consideration. In 1898, the Teller Amendment created an anti-imperialism view. The Teller amendment was a legislation created after winning the Spanish-American war that promised that the United States would not annex Cuba. The Platt amendment was a Legislation created in 1901 that allowed the US to intervene if Cuba couldn’t govern themselves appropriately. Platt amendment was a discourse on civilization and was a geopolitical concern. Wilson desired to maintain the same anti-imperialist mindset of Americans. However, as the war progressed it became difficult for Wilson to maintain this …show more content…
As many people described him, Wilson was an advocate world peace and democracy. After world war one, Wilson negotiated a peace treaty known as “the fourteen points”. Wilson promises that they are coming into the war to save the world for democracy and he creates a proposal during the treaty of Versailles. President Woodrow Wilson issued his plans for future permanent peace. In his speech, Wilson listed fourteen strategies he predicted would ensure national security and provide world peace. Majority of the “points” related to territorial issues in Europe and Wilson’s plan to address the problem. For the last strategy, Wilson desired the creation of an international governing body of united nations known as the League of Nations. The League of Nations planned to follow a “collective security’ idea which meant that nations had to give a little of their power to make sure that no big powerful country invades their territory. The Senate voted on the Treaty of Versailles two times first in November 1919 and in March 1920. However, the treaty failed to gain ratification. The treaty’s defeat was partly blamed on Wilson’s refusal to compromise with Republicans. Even though the United States never joined the organization The League of Nations held its first meeting in January 1920. In his speech, Wilson decides to describe and remind people of the reason why the United states has joined the Great war. Wilson states that
Woodrow Wilson, our 23rd president, became involved in a war that he did not want any part of. Wilson wanted to remain neutral and have peace as in his first term of office. During World War I Wilson’s roles in the war became well known in all countries. Wilson wanted peace more than anything else. In seeking for peace Wilson asked Congress for the U.S. to enter World War I. which may not sound like a peace strategy but Wilson felt it was the only way to stop Germany and gain peace. Wilson wrote his speech for world peace, Fourteen Points, that he was probably most famous for. He attended and played an integral part in The Treaty of Versailles. He was the founder of the League of Nations, which he talked about in his Fourteen Points speech. .
... to be President afterwards. His unwillingness to compromise with the Senate caused the Treaty of Versailles along with the League of Nations never to be ratified by the United States. The notion of the League of Nations that won Wilson a Noble Peace Prize in 1920 was never joined his own country.
Appeal can go a long way in shaping the century. A thing that Wilson was good at was not actually saying he is in control but instead, stating his opinions as facts, thus subtly establishing himself as the authority in that single moment (Wilson). Wilson presented that he was capable of showing and understanding emotions and emotional appeals as he unleashed unrelenting barrage of well worded, powerful, touching emotional appeals to draw Congress in and to lean them towards his opinions (Wilson). One of my own personal favorite phrases like “Laws of humanity” describes the atrocities committed by the German commanders (Wilson). Using his appeals Wilson lead Congress to think about and envision a family, possibly their own, enjoying the company of one another, then tragedy strikes when they hear and see giant explosions near them. Wilsons speech was not really the most effective at accomplishing the goals set fourth but it does show how idealistic the future could really end up
He constantly pulls on the heartstrings of the audience by persuading them to choose a truce and freedom over violence. When listeners heard the tranquil life they could live if they followed the points, many of them eagerly agreed with Wilson. When he explained why he entered the war, he said that war “touched us to the quick” (Wilson) because the United States simply could not move on without joining in and correcting the issue. This use of language appeals to the emotions by showing America’s sensitivity and passion towards righteousness. Later, he continues to establish his nation’s morals by declaring “We stand together until the end” (Wilson). Woodrow Wilson makes the unity of his country very clear, likely inspiring others who yearn for similar connections. Also, he uses the word “we” (Wilson) instead of only referring to himself to show that this was a decision made by his whole country. He ends the speech by explaining the commitment of his people, announcing that “they are ready to devote their lives, their honor, and everything that they possess” (Wilson). American citizens are so committed to what they believe in, that they are willing to risk it all just to stand up for what they believe is right. All of these statements appeal to feelings because it is moving to hear how the citizens of the United States put their lives on the line in an attempt to achieve a state of peace for every country involved in the
World War I which was known as a war that ended all the other wars and as the Great War finally came to an end in 1918 changing life in many countries especially in the United States of America either in a negative or positive way. World War I was a war fought from the years 1914 to 1918 in Europe between members of the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente. The triple entente was formed of people from Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States. The triple alliance on the other hand consisted of members of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and Bulgaria. The Great War brought many changes throughout the whole world. One of the countries that was reshaped after the Great War was the United States. Life in the United States after World War I was no longer the same.
World War I was a very deadly war with over 100 million human casualties(deaths plus injured). Therefore war is a very transformative event for humanity, because it always affects individuals, societies, and even the world in a pessimistic way.
After the war Wilson went before Congress in January 1918, to enunciate American war aims - the Fourteen Points, the last of which would establish "A general association of nations... affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike.(Duffy)”Woodrow Wilson did a good job in when joining the war finishing it in a rather fast manner and then quickly making sure a conflict like this never happened The war reached an end on Nov. 11, 1918. The German proposition for peace came amidst the Congressional races. Against the guidance of those near him, the president chose to go to the peace gathering in Paris and battle for his beliefs face to face. Wilson not being present during congressional races shows how determined he was to keep peace in the World and finish what he started.
The League of Nations had officially been set in motion on January 10, 1920. However, the idea of an international peace keeping organization was brought forth far before this. For it was the President of the United States of America, Woodrow Wilson, who delivered his famous Fourteen Poi...
2. To calm his own uncertainty about his decision. The need for Wilson’s speech and the current mindset of the American public were a direct result of a succession of antagonistic events.... ... middle of paper ... ...
Price, Matthew C. The Wilsonian Persuasion in American Foreign Policy. Youngstown, NY: Cambria, 2007. Print.
One of the primary major world events that took place in this decade was World War I. This began in 1914 when Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated. The U.S. didn’t get involved with this war, however, until 1917 and stayed involved until it’s ending in 1918. Increasing technology contributed heavily to the fatalities of this war with the inventions of deadly explosives, steel tanks, and poisonous gas (SF Timeline). This double front war for Germany was finally held at a standstill in November of 1918. A peace treaty was signed on June 28, 1919 at Versailles, France, ending the devastating four- year war in Europe. Another important world event that heavily affected the future of the world was The Bolshevik Revolution.
While Wilson was known for the League of Nations and the treaty of Versailles, he was also known for his Fourteen Points. These were 14 primary ideas set by Wilson to end World War 1, and set ideas for world peace. These principals were first introduced to congress, then to the League of Nations. Out of these fourteen principals only 6 were used. Point seven “evacuation of German troops from Belgium” (“President Wilson’s Fourteen Points”). Point eight that said, free all French territory and these places must be restored, along with France being freed In the matter of Alsace-Lorraine. The next point that was put into effect was that people of Austria-Hungary should be allowed the freest opportunity. They also put point eleven into use. This point said, “Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro should be evacuated; occupied territories restored; Serbia accorded free and secure ...
&., 2005, p. 67) , the United States Congress refused to cooperate with America joining the League and viewed Woodrow Wilsons idea of the League and his foreign policy as too ‘ideational’. With the absence of the US rendering the League without access to Americas forceful military and economic power- which left the Covenants ability stated within Article 16 to “institute economic or military sanctions against a recalcitrant state” (Orjinta, 2010, p. 10) considerably weaker- German, Japanese and Italian dictatorships rejected the sovereignty of the League (Wilkinson, 2007, p. 86). Yet although it can be agreed the League failed in regards to its main purpose of maintaining peace and security, it did however provide a desire among states for an Intergovernmental Organisation (IGO) to ‘recognise that it is in their [governments] national interests to obtain multilateral agreements and pursue actions to deal with threats, challenges, or problems that cannot be dealt with effectively at the unilateral level’ (Wilkinson, 2007, p. 79). From this perspective, the League of Nations opened up a place for the United Nations to thus continue on a path of maintaining peace in an improved and effective manner. It is true that the UN Charter commandeered elements of the Leagues
Wilson's 14 Points vs. the Treaty of Versailles. When the peace processes were to start after the end of World War One, there were four people who were major components in the treaty of Paris: Clemenceau, George, Orlando, and Wilson. Clemenceau wanted revenge on the Germans by punishing them through the treaties because he believed that they were at fault for the war; George was in agreement with Clemenceau although he did not feel that Germany should suffer severe punishment; Orlando who wanted the irredenta to be re-established; and President Wilson of the United States of America wanted to create a mild peace with Germany in a fair way. In view of this, Wilson created fourteen points that he wanted accomplished in full as a result of the peace treaties. His fourteen points were his plan for a world peace and included plans for the end of secret treaties, freedom of the seas, free trade, arms reduction, the just settlement of colonial claims, the establishment of a League of Nations, and the evacuation of occupied territories and national self-determination.
World War 1 was called “The Great War”, “The war to end all wars”, and “The first modern war”. It had many causes and a few repercussions and I will describe them in detail.