Woodrow Wilson

First World War

 Harshness of ToV shouldn’t come as a surprise as Wilson’s attitude to peace changed after USA
entered the war.
 Before he was calling for “peace without victory”, but after they won he wanted reparations and the
removal of the Kaiser.
 In 1914, he argued USA would only be able to act as an impartial mediator between the Allies and
the Central Powers.
 In October 1916 he believed the war was a result of secret treaties, the alliance system, mutual fear
and suspicion (spying).
 Wilson shared beliefs with most Americans that it had arouse from feudalism and imperialism.
Believed they were morally superior to Europe because it was untainted by “Old World” corruption.
 On 22nd May 1917, he believed peace when the destruction of the German imperials happened.
 Justice became associated with defeat and reparations.

American Public Opinion

 Changed his own position in line with public opinion to gain support.
 In 1912, while he was trying to be elected he had a policy of neutrality and “peace with honour”.

 However, public opinion changed to anti-German after the sinking of the Lusitana and Zimmerman
Telegram. Then became absolute anti-German by unrestricted submarine warfare and the sinking of
American ships in 2017. Thus his decision to go to war was made by the shift in American opinion.
 Patriotic Propaganda – 75 mil pamphlets and 75,000 pre-cinema ‘Four Minute Men’. Demonised the
“Barbaric Hun”.
 Army of 4 mil (114,000 killed). USA increased expenditure by 25. Spent – $24.3 bil. Loans – $11.2 bil.
 As American public became more anti-German, Wilson became more anti-Kaiser and Prussian
Militarism (not German people). Realised his political future depended on adapting to it, hence it is
why he came to support a harsher treaty.

 In 1918, his failure to get USA to accept ToV was because American public opinion had changed
again as after the war it reverted to isolationism and distrust of involvement with Europeans.
 “Return to normalcy” and “end to Wilsonism”.