by Muneerah B.

Created on: October 29, 2008

Blatant Utopian

The dominating news headlines today may differ in many ways, but a lot of them carry a hint of the inevitable political power that is the United States of America. However, it was only after the first decade of the twentieth century that the country got involved in global events. The man responsible for steering the US into a direction of intervention is frequently labeled as an idealist with utopian visions based on moral obligations.

A lot of Woodrow Wilson's policies before, after and during the World War I demonstrated his idealism. As the war in Europe developed, Wilson's initial stand was to be neutral about the war but by 1915, it was obvious that the Allied Powers had the US on their side. In response to the British blockage at sea, Germany resorted to U-boat attacks and sunk the Lusitania killing 128 American passengers which proved to be a test of American neutrality. Wilson initial response of formal protests against Germany was diminished by Zimmerman's telegram in March 1917 and eventually led the US to join the war.

The Fourteen Points may have helped Wilson earn a Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 but effort doesn't equate to efficiency. Europe failed to completely adopt all of his listed points after the war. Even within his Allies, there were a lot of compromises to appease their interest. France was more interested in punishing Germany and Great Britain
opposed "absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas". The notion of self-determination also didn't go well with both countries; France and Great Britain were obviously not ready to give up their colonies and territories and non-imperialist US failed to see this. Reducing Germany's military power also didn't do much to prevent another war. George Clemenceau's response to the Fourteen Points ("God Almighty gave us only ten and we broke those.") basically summed up the practicality of the American's vision. Wilson had great trust in mankind that everlasting peace could be preserved by laying down 'golden rules' that everyone will adhere to.

The League of Nations was a brilliant idea for the basis for the United Nations, but in the early twentieth century, America wasn't ready to be a part of world issues after being non-interventionist for most of the time. Leaders in the US were not keen on having a moral obligation to the rest of the world. The Treaty of Versailles lacked domestic support as it may conflict US interest and sovereignty in the long run.

Even till today, we are reminded of the effect of Wilsonianism. A news headline about a presidential election in Europe, or a social crisis in the Middle East, or an Asian country's participation in the world economy usually awaits the reaction of the United States of America; for a decision based on the foundations of a naive idealist.

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