Influence Of US Intervention In World War I

World War I is probably one of the most underappreciated wars from the US perspective. This war between the Allies and the Central powers had so much effect on not only the US but on the whole world. Although the US entered late to this war they still were one of the biggest winners. The unilateralism and realist sentiment before the war gave the way for US intervention when it helped American’s self-interests. Although US power increased during interventions like the Spanish-American, it wouldn’t be till the WWI were the US influence would be clearly seen by the World. This influence came as a result of Wilson’s interventionism and idealism during and after the war. Wilson’s idealism also opened the door for the debate between two sentiments;
Many aspects coincide for the US to get such a win. The US industrials power coincide it with a demand increase for guns. The US would begin to drive away from unilateralism to interventionism in international foreign affairs. Leading this machine of the US into power was an idealist Wilson. He didn’t not only get the US to intervene on moral grounds, he got many people around Europe to like him. His reception in many cities of Europe are strong evidence of the influence he had. The involvement of him in the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations made him a key person in keeping the peace in Europe. Many may argue that the US didn’t get that much international recognition since they enter late into the war. However, this view is far from right. The experiences of the war gave way for US to become almost like a hero that came to “save the World.” Wilson didn’t just help the US get power and influence he started conversation that till this day is debated. His idealistic reasons for intervention would be start of the debate. Wilson idealism that he created with the 14 Points, and The League of Nations were met with the response of realism with not only a portion of the public but republican congress. This type of debate was well alive the years after the wars and continues to be alive till this day. It is alive in the current wars and has been alive in the past decade. Historian Hoyng has absolutely enough evidence behind him to suggest that Wilson indeed started a debate that continues