Question

Reflect on Woodrow Wilson’s wartime leadership. Remembering that Wilson ran for the presidency as a progressive, assess whether or not he remained true to the tenets of progressivism during his leadership of the war, especially with regard to wartime propaganda, and his crusade for the League of Nations after the hostilities ended. In doing so, pick one of the Fourteen points and evaluate whether it should or should not be viewed as “progressive” based on the definition of progressivism from your chapter and your podcast. Use at the least two other documents to support your findings. Be sure to post at the least three times.

Please reed the instructions.

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Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Post 1:

Woodrow Wilson's wartime leadership presents an interesting case for assessing whether he remained true to the tenets of progressivism. As a progressive candidate during his presidential campaign, Wilson advocated for various reforms and policies aimed at promoting social justice, democracy, and government accountability. However, his actions during the war and his pursuit of the League of Nations after the hostilities ended have sparked debates about the extent to which he adhered to progressive principles.

When it comes to wartime propaganda, Wilson's administration employed aggressive tactics to shape public opinion and garner support for the war effort. The Committee on Public Information, headed by George Creel, disseminated pro-war messages through various media channels. While this propaganda machine effectively mobilized public sentiment, it also raised concerns about the suppression of dissenting views and the manipulation of information.

From a progressive standpoint, Wilson's wartime propaganda approach can be seen as conflicting with the principles of open government and free speech. Progressivism, as defined in my chapter and podcast, emphasizes transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties. Wilson's use of propaganda may be viewed as a departure from these ideals, as it curtailed free expression and stifled critical voices.

Post 2:

One of Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points, specifically the point concerning "open covenants of peace, openly arrived at," warrants evaluation in terms of its alignment with progressivism. This point called for transparent negotiations and the elimination of secret treaties in the aftermath of World War I. It aimed to promote democracy and accountability in international relations.

From a progressive perspective, this point can be viewed as aligning with the principles of progressivism. The emphasis on open and transparent diplomacy resonates with the progressive ideal of accountable governance. By advocating for open covenants, Wilson aimed to dismantle the secretive and undemocratic practices that characterized pre-war diplomacy, thus promoting a more just and inclusive international order.

Support for this perspective can be found in Wilson's own words. In his address to Congress on January 8, 1918, he stressed the need for "open covenants openly arrived at" as a means to ensure lasting peace and prevent future conflicts. Additionally, contemporary commentary from progressive intellectuals such as Herbert Croly acknowledged the progressive nature of Wilson's call for transparency in international relations.

Post 3:

However, it is important to note that some critics argue that Wilson's pursuit of the League of Nations, a central component of his post-war agenda, deviated from progressive principles. While progressivism emphasizes democracy and accountability, critics argue that the League of Nations undermined democratic decision-making by concentrating power in the hands of a few nations.

Critics, including progressive figures like Senator Robert La Follette, argued that the League of Nations would perpetuate imperialistic practices and hinder true self-determination for smaller nations. They contended that it would create an unequal distribution of power, where major powers could dictate the fate of smaller nations without their consent.

This criticism challenges the progressive nature of Wilson's pursuit of the League of Nations. It raises concerns about the concentration of power and the potential erosion of democratic principles. Progressivism, as defined in my chapter and podcast, seeks to empower individuals and communities while promoting a fair and just society. The critique of the League of Nations aligns with this vision by highlighting the need for democratic decision-making and safeguarding the rights of all nations.

In conclusion, Woodrow Wilson's wartime leadership raises questions about his adherence to progressivism. While his pursuit of open covenants in the Fourteen Points can be seen as progressive, his use of wartime propaganda and the criticisms surrounding the League of Nations present challenges to his progressive credentials. This nuanced assessment underscores the complexities of Wilson's leadership and highlights the importance of evaluating his actions in relation to the core principles of progressivism.

Answer 2

doing so, pick one of the Fourteen Points and evaluate whether it should or should not be viewed as "Progressive" based on the definition of Progressivism from your chapter and your podcasts. Use at least two other documents to support your findings. Be sure to post at least three times.

This is a discussion board. Posts must be substantial. Also respond to each of the following excerpts.

EXCERPT 1(RC): During World War I, Woodrow Wilson showed many qualities that correlated toProgressivism. For example, his policies were always put into place for the goal of keeping the peace, and allowing the countries taken by Germany to be freed for democracy. He didn't ask Congress to declare war for any selfish reasons as he states when he says, "we fight without rancor and without selfish object, seeking nothing for ourselves but what we shall wish to share with all free peoples" (6), but instead did so as a last resort following the numerous attacks by Germany on innocent submarines that made it clear staying only armed and neutral was no longer an option. Because of his efforts to only go into the war for reasons of peace, Wilson does portray himself as a progressive.

After looking through the propaganda posters that were posted in the PDF, it was noticeable that many of them have progressive ideals such as food conservation, allowing/encouraging women to participate in the war effort, and saying there won't be peace while Germany is running wild trying to dominate the world. With the political cartoons on the other hand, while many believed that Wilson's Fourteen Points were a sure way to rid the world of autocracy, some of the allies didn't agree with it because unlike the U.S., they still believed in Imperialism and wanted spoils of war (aka Germany's colonies). Also, many senators rejected the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations because they didn't think it an American value to have diplomatic international foreign ties as stated when Senator Lodge states, "It is in conflict with the right of our people to govern themselves free from all restraint, legal or moral, of foreign powers" (16).

Finally, after the war was over, one of Wilson's fourteen points--in fact the last of them--was to form a "League of Nations" that would ally together to prevent war, and handle disagreements in the public eye with diplomacy. However, many senators did not approve the League of Nations because they were worried that joining such an alliance would take away from their independence. This should however be viewed as Progressive because he was trying to form it in hopes of creating a more international peace.