Summary Of President Wilson's Rhetoric Of War

President Wilson focuses on using the rhetoric of war, specifically the victimization of the US by the German Empire, to appeal to the feelings of anger, justice, and patriotism to get Congress to declare war. This is accomplished through Wilson’s use of incidents such as the sinking of the Lusitania, the unrestricted submarine warfare, and the diplomatic promises the German Empire has broken. The intent is to invoke anger and instill bitterness towards the German government. Furthermore, he then conveys how the system of Government that their Empire uses can not be trusted on its word in diplomacy as it is an autocratic system. This lets one man hold all the political power and keep the outside world about his intentions, goals, and actions secret. The third major point being the separation between the German people
Wilson uses the rhetoric of war to paint Germany as the aggressor forcibly victimizing the US. This is clearly shown in his address as throughout the whole paper the way he frames the German Empire as an oppressive, inhumane, and untrustworthy government evokes this anger and mistrust towards it with an underlying sadness. The oppressive nature of the German Empire stems from incidents happening in international waters where neutral countries should have free reign to sail and go where they please but are being attacked by German submarines. Wilson frames this issue through Germany's attempt to cut off the allies from all outside trade, aid, and diplomacy traveling across these waters. This is an infringement on the rights of others, as Wilson puts it, is a disregard of one’s humanity. Making statements such as the German Empire had “put aside all restraints of law or of humanity” to “use its submarines to sink every vessel” that was heading for the British Isles or any allied nations of the