Compare And Contrast Woodrow Wilson's Foreign Policy

The foreign policies of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson

The presidencies of both Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson saw radical changes in United States foreign policy. Roosevelt favored imperialism and increasing the American influence and prestige, willing to use force when other means failed. His aggressiveness is considered a successful foreign policy. Wilson was an idealist, eager to promote democracy and world peace, and unwilling to use force; many of his attempts to encourage democracy and peace failed. While campaigning to become President, Theodore Roosevelt was known as a man who presented himself as a masculine figure. He was a hunter and a war hero, and as soon as he got into office we proved he was aggressive and powerful, ending the gilded age, becoming the first president in decades to have real power. His foreign policy reflected his nature. "Speak softly and carry a big stick" was a quote Roosevelt used when he spoke of his foreign policy. He would be cordial,
polite and diplomatic, but would also show that America had a grand, modern military capable of fighting any world power, even the Great Powers, as shown in the American victory against Spain. Roosevelt showed how powerful America was when he sent his great white fleet across the world, and let other nations of the world see the formidable American navy. Roosevelt also proved he could be diplomatic, ending the Russo-Japanese War. When diplomacy failed, he used Americas power to get what he wanted. He supported the Panama rebels to allow the Panama canal to be built. This shows the Roosevelt's foreign policy was a success. Woodrow Wilson was one of the most idealistic presidents in American History.
World War One was the focal point of all foreign affairs during Wilson's presidency. Wilson's foreign policy focused on keeping America neutral and economically strong by trading with nations on both sides of the conflict. This aspect of his policy was a failure, and Germany eventually provoked the United States to enter the war. The fourteen points, written by Wilson, was a set of fourteen ideas to help the world promote democracy and stability. It was extremely idealistic, and most of the ideas presented were not accepted, except the League of Nations. The League of Nations was proposed to keep the world from entering another large scale conflict. The League was created, and many of the major nations joined it, except for the United States. The republicans in congress and the senate did not allow the United States to join. This shows that Wilson's foreign policy can be considered a
failure. While Roosevelt met success with his foreign policy, Wilson's policies are equally important to American history. While Wilson's idealism prevented him from making any real progress with foreign policy, his ideals of world democracy while influence every president after him. The Cold War was partially "fought" to keep the ideas of capitalism and democracy safe from the spread of communism. Both the Vietnam and Korean conflicts also were started for these reasons. Even in the modern day, the conflicts in the middle east sometimes are fought to spread democracy. Roosevelt's big stick diplomacy also influenced American leaders, but not to the level of Wilson's policies. Foreign policy shaped both America and the world for over a century. The pioneers of American foreign policy were Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. While Roosevelt's policies saw real, legible change for America, increasing its influence; Wilson's policies influenced American foreign policy such that both Theodore Roosevelt's and Woodrow Wilson's policies can be considered equally important and successful.