Final answer:
Today's presidential response to a scenario similar to World War I's unrestricted submarine warfare would likely differ from President Woodrow Wilson's, influenced by modern international laws, institutions aimed to prevent conflicts, advances in military technology, and global public opinion.
Step-by-step explanation:
If presented with a scenario comparable to the world at war and unrestricted submarine warfare of World War I today, the response of a current president might differ substantially from that of President Woodrow Wilson's. In the modern era, the international landscape has been significantly shaped by institutions like The United Nations and by treaties such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). These frameworks are designed to prevent conflicts and manage international disputes through diplomatic channels rather than through unilateral or military action.
Moreover, the advancement of military technology, changes in warfare methods, and global interdependence through trade and diplomacy mean that nations are more reticent to resort to wartime strategies that can have widespread and unpredictable consequences. Today's American President would likely also contend with the pressure of global public opinion, international law, and an expectation to work within multilateral institutions to resolve conflicts.
It is also essential to note the influence of digital media and real-time communication, which can galvanize world opinions quickly and create a diplomatic climate in which aggressive actions such as unrestricted submarine warfare would be less likely to garner support from the American public or the international community. Furthermore, military strategy has evolved with modern technology offering alternative means to confront adversaries, making traditional submarine tactics less central to warfare. Therefore, a modern presidential response to similar circumstances would almost certainly be influenced by these contemporary factors, likely making it quite different from President Wilson's approach more than a century ago.