The Progressive Era

Wilsonian Foreign Policy

U.S. Interventions

Cuba (Troops - 1898-1902, 1906-09, 1912, 1917-22; Platt Amendment - 1903-34; Guantanamo - 1903-present)

Puerto Rico (U.S. possession since 1898)Venezuela (debt crisis – 1903-04)Panama (helped create – 1903; canal 1903 – 1979)Dominican Republic (Fin. Sup – 1905-41; Troops – 1916-24)Honduras (Troops – 1907, 1924-25)Nicaragua (Troops – 1909-10, 1912-25, 1926-33; Fin. Sup.

1911- 24)Mexico (seized Vera Cruz, 1914, expeditionary force, 1916-17)Haiti (Troops -1915-34; Financial Support 1916-41)

US Interests in the Caribbean

The World’s Constable

The Roosevelt Corollary

To the Monroe Doctrine

1904

Chronic wrongdoing, or an impotence which results in a general loosening of the ties of civilized society justifies the exercise of an international police power.

International Interventions: Roosevelt

Panama: 1903

Venezuela: 1903 – (Roosevelt Corollary issued)

Dominican Republic: 1905

Negotiated end to Russo-Japanese War: 1905

Cuba: 1906 - 1909

Honduras: 1907 ( also 1924-25)

International Interventions: Taft

Nicaragua: 1909

Troops 1909, 1912-25, 1926-33

Financial supervision 1911 -24

China: ongoing

International Interventions: Wilson

MexicoVera Cruz: 1914Pershing Expedition: 1916-1917

Haiti: 1915-1934

Dominican Republic: 1916 -1924

Legacy of US Interventions

“Great Powers” of Europe Acknowledged U.S. as a world power Acknowledged Caribbean & Central America as U.S.

“sphere of influence”

Created an enduring legacy of mistrust in Latin America

Note that these interventions: Were initiated by both Democrat and Republican

administrations Continued across administration changes

Sources of “Great Power” Conflict

Imperialism Nationalism Military Expansion (arms race) Military Alliances

“Great Game of Empire”

Buildup to War

General Joffre to the French Government

31 July, 1914“It is absolutely necessary for the government to understand that, starting with this evening, any delay of twenty-four hours in calling up our reservists and issuing orders… will have as its result the withdrawal of… from fifteen to twenty-five kilometers for each day of delay; in other words, the abandonment of just that much of our territory. The Commander-in-Chief must decline to accept the responsibility.”

Buildup to War

Kaiser Whilhelm II

Ruler of the newly unified Germany

Wanted to make Germany a great naval power

Grandson of England’s Queen Victoria

Buildup to War

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir John Fisher

(Great Britain)

Countered German naval expansion

Directed rebuilding of British fleet

Formed a naval alliance with Japan

Naval Buildup to War

H.M.S. Dreadnought - Commissioned 1906Length - 526”

Displacement - 17,900 tons Speed - 21 knots

Armament – 10 ea. 12” guns

Military Buildup to War

Military Alliances

“The net of interlocking and opposed understandings and mutual assistance treaties - France to go to war on Russia’s side and vice versa if either was attacked by Germany, Britain to lend assistance to France if the vital interests of both were judged threatened, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy to go war together if any one were attacked by two other states - is generally considered to be the mechanism that brought the “Allies” into conflict in 1914 with the “Central Powers.”

- John Keegan, The First World War

Military Buildup to War

Military AlliancesThe Triple Alliance a.k.a. “The Central Powers”

Germany,Austria-HungaryItaly

The Triple Entente a.k.a. “The Allies”Great BritainFranceRussia

Buildup to War: AssassinationArchduke Franz Ferdinandand Dutchess Sophieat Sarajevo on 28th June, 1914

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria

Gavrilo Princip in prison cell at Terezín

Buildup to War28 June, 1914 Assassination of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand

The fatal four weeks

25 July, 1914 Austria-Hungary issues “note” to Serbia

28 July, 1914 Austria- Hungary declares war on Serbia

30 July, 1914 Russia mobilizes against Austria- Hungary

31 July, 1914 Germany issues ultimatum to Russia (stop mobilizing/ mobilization means war)

31 July, 1914 Germany issues ultimatum to France (declare neutrality within 18 hours)

1 Aug, 1914 Germany declares war on Russia, begins mobilizing

2 Aug., 1914 France begins mobilizing

3 Aug., 1914 Germany declares war on France

4 Aug., 1914 Germany declares war on Belgium and invades

4 Aug., 1914 Great Britain declares war on Germany

Wilson’s Official Policy

“Neutral in thought as well as in action.”

What did neutrality mean? Cut off all trade with all belligerents? Cut off trade in munitions and raw materials used to

make arms? Who defines contraband/war-related materiel? Can credit be extended to belligerents?

RMS Lusitania

Torpedoed May 1915 1,201 passengers die 128 Americans

Opposition to Preparedness

Many leading progressives spoke out against it (opposed militarism in general)

Midwest, w/ large German populations, opposed support of Allies

South, not as economically dependent on sales to Europe, was suspicious of military power centered in Washington

War Triggers

Submarine Warfare

Germany announced resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare (31 January 1917)

Recognized that this would mean war w/ U.S. Didn’t think U.S. could mount a military response for

two years U.S. severed diplomatic relations on 3 Feb., 1917 16 March, U-boats sink 3 U.S. merchant vessels

War Triggers

The Zimmerman Telegram

From German foreign minister to Mexican foreign minister

Urged Mexico to join Central Powers and attack U.S. Mexico would be rewarded after war (regain

territories lost in Mex.-Am war) Br. Intelligence intercepted the telegram Wilson released telegram to press on 28 Feb., 1917 -

solidified anti-German feeling

The Zimmerman Telegram

Plan of San Diego

Plan of San DiegoPROVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF THE PLAN (PLOT) OF SAN DIEGO, TEX.,

JANUARY 6, 1915We, who in turn sign our names, assembled in the revolutionary plot of San Diego,

Tex., solemnly promise each other, on our word of honor that we will fulfill and cause to be fulfilled and compiled with, all the clauses and provisions stipulated in this document, and execute the orders and the wishes emanating from the provisional directorate of this movement and recognize as military chief of the same Mr. Agustin S. Garza guaranteeing with our lives the faithful accomplishment of what is here agreed upon.

1. On the 20th day of February 1915 at 2 o'clock in the morning we will rise in arms against the government and the country of the United States of North America, one as all and all as one, proclaiming the liberty of the individuals of the black race and its independence of Yankee tyranny which has held us in iniquitous slavery since the remote times: and at the same time and in the same manner we will proclaim the independence and segregation the States bordering on the Mexican Nation, which are: Texas, New Mexico. Arizona, Colorado, Upper California, of which States the Republic of Mexico was robbed in a most perfidious manner by North American imperialism.

Plan of San Diego5. It is strictly forbidden to hold prisoners, either special prisoners (civilians) or

soldiers: and the only time that should be spent in dealing with them is that which is absolutely necessary to demand funds (loans) of them; and whether these demands are successful or not, they shall be shot immediately without any pretext.

6. Every stranger who shall be found armed and who can not prove his right to carry arms shall be summarily executed, regardless of his race or nationality.

7. Every North American over 16 years of age shall be put to death, and only the aged men, the women, and children shall be respected; and on no account shall the traitors to our race be spared or respected.

12. None of the leaders shall have power to make terms with the enemy, without first communicating with the superior officers of the army, bearing in mind that this is a war without quarter: nor shall any leader enroll in his ranks any stranger, unless said stranger belong to the Latin, the Negro, or the Japanese race.

Economic ties between France, Britain & US US (private banks) had loaned tremendous amounts Allied defeat would be economic disaster for US

Wilson’s 14 Points Visionary Plan to create a new world order Wilson concluded that to have a role in the peace process,

had to play an active role in the war

Secondary War Triggers

US Countdown to War1917

31 Jan. - Germany announces resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare

3 Feb. - U.S. severs diplomatic relations with Germany

28 Feb. - Wilson releases Zimmerman telegram to public

16 March - U-boats sink three U.S. merchant vessels

20 March - Wilson submits war message to Congress

6 April - Congress declares war

Wilson’s War Message

“The world must be made safe for democracy.”

A bid to give the US a new role in international diplomacy

A call for change in basic international structure