Final answer:
The figure in question is Woodrow Wilson, who served as the U.S. President during WWI. He advocated for lasting peace over engaging in war and emphasized that peace could be achieved through his Fourteen Points. Wilson's initial desire to keep the U.S. out of the war was overturned by several factors, leading to U.S. involvement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prominent figure you are referring to is Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, who served during World War I. His message emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace over war and suggests that war is a choice, implying that nations could choose peace instead. Wilson believed in the implementation of his Fourteen Points, which emphasized self-determination, free trade, and open diplomacy as a pathway to secure lasting peace. He also highlighted that peace should not rely solely on military strength, but also on factors such as spiritual regeneration, good will among nations, economic stability, and capability to act wisely on international agreements.
In his Peace without Victory speech, Wilson conveyed his desire for the United States to remain neutral and to avoid entering the war, asserting that the betterment of the world would come from maintaining peace rather than engaging in war. However, with the escalating war and issues such as the Zimmerman Telegram and unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany, the United States eventually entered World War I, driven by a mix of moral principles, practical necessities, and political reasons. Despite Wilson's initial stance, the U.S. involvement became necessary to support the Allies and to maintain international relationships.
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