'To End All Wars' - Woodrow Wilson in WW1

An evaluation of President Woodrow Wilson presidency with particular emphasis on his policies in WW1.

1. ‘To End All Wars’ Woodrow Wilson and his legacy Dr Daryl Le Cornu, HTAA Conference, Brisbane 2014

2. [email protected]

3. With the centenary of America’s entry into the First World War how should we remember President Woodrow Wilson?

4. 1. Introduction Will the real Woodrow Wilson stand up?

5. WW1 Centenary Renewed interest in Woodrow Wilson April 1917 – American Entry into WW1 January 1918 – 14 Points Speech 1919 – Treaty of Versailles 1919 – the ‘League Fight’ 1920 – League of Nations begins

6. WW1 Centenary Will the following also be commemorated? May 1916 - League to Enforce Peace speech November 1916 Election – Wilson committed USA to a ‘league of nations’ 18 December 1916 American Peace Note 22 January 1917 – ‘Peace Without Victory’ speech

7. Who was Woodrow Wilson? 28 th president of the United States of America Led the USA into World War 1 Founded the League of Nations One of the most well-known presidents BUT Also one of the most controversial US presidents

8. Reputation roller-coaster MESSIAH – a way out of WW1 that gave hope to the future FAILURE – sacrificed everything to achieve his main objective (a League) then failed to convince the US to join PROPHET – reputation revived in WW2 – Wilson was now seen as being right about the League

9. Best and worst presidents Does not appear near the top of the many lists of best US presidents Yet Wilson does not appear near the bottom of any of the lists So, what was Bob Carr on about?

10. Carr’s concerns about Wilson Segregation policies Civil rights abuses in WW1 Wartime strategy Harsh Treaty of Versailles and post-war settlement League had no chance of succeeding Was Carr right about Woodrow Wilson?

11. Woodrow Wilson’s legacy We will consider… historians’ views c ontemporary supporters research on the views of British and American peace activists

12. 2 . Historians’ views

13. Laurence Martin Peace Without Victory 1958 r elationship between British Radicals and President Wilson i nfluence went both ways s imilar views on liberal internationalism Agreed on most points of detail and method BUT Serious misgivings since US entry in 1917 Harsh critics of Treaty of Versailles

14. Thomas Knock To End All Wars 1992 c entrality of the League to Wilson’s foreign policy a statesman ahead of his times BUT made crucial mistakes of strategy Alienated most of his supporters by 1919 STILL The enduring relevance of his vision

15. James Blight & Robert McNamara Wilson’s Ghost 2001 Wilson – only world statesman who sensed that the human race might destroy itself and that radical changes were needed to the international system Advocated multilateral approach via the League Wilson’s predictions about the 20 th Century were tragically correct BUT Failed - and Wilson was wrong on self-determination

16. Thomas Fleming The Illusion of Victory 2003 British and French duped Wilson into entering WW1 on their side by use of propaganda – Wellington House Wilson’s ‘tragically flawed’ intervention into WW1 which showed the limitations of power Illusion of idealism – the expectation that noble words could be translated into meaningful realities Wilson corrupted the peace process by claiming principles that he failed to support Wilson betrayed the moderates in Germany who created the Weimar Republic

17. David S Paterson The Search for a Negotiated Peace 2008 Wilson failed to work with others with similar beliefs Wilson wanted to mediate an end to the war on his own not with other neutrals ignored conference of neutrals idea in 1915 and 1916 BUT f ailed in his own mediation attempts from Dec 1916 to Feb 1917 After US entry attacked the ‘stupidity’ of pacifists l ost opportunities with negotiated peace

18. John Milton Cooper Breaking the Heart of the World 2001 The League Fight Wilson’s inflexibility and refusal to compromise Illness the biggest obstacle to a more constructive outcome BUT ‘for all their decency and intelligence, Wilson’s opponents were wrong. For all his flaws and missteps, Wilson was right. He should have won the League fight. His defeat did break the heart of the world.’

19. John Milton Cooper Woodrow Wilson 2009 ‘In the end, much about Wilson remains troubling.’ Do his sins of omission and commission outweigh the good he did, or do his words and deeds overshadow his transgressions?’ ‘..one of the deepest and most daring souls ever to inhabit the White House. His was also a flawed soul rendered worse by the failing of his body, which consigned his presidency to an inglorious end.’

20. A Scott Berg Wilson 2014 ‘ a century after Wilson's inauguration, and .. he still remains the most successful, extremely progressive figure we've had in American politics .’ ‘loomed larger than any other president in the 20 th Century’ BUT A progressive thinker but the biggest strike against him personally was that he was a racist

21. Richard Striner Wilson’s strategic incompetence gave a good cause a bad name ‘The most striking thing to me about his wartime record was his failure to engage in sufficient contingency planning when it came to the politics of the war.’ ‘Wilson set back h is own cause through his miserable judgement , his naïve suppositions, his petulance, his rhetorical excess – all of it!’ ‘To put it harshly, he was a disaster. He was not the right leader for American during World War 1.’

22. Historians’ wisdom of hindsight Historians have the benefit of hindsight What about the views of Wilson’s contemporaries at the time? We will examine the views of some of his supporters from August to November 1917

23. Who were Wilson’s supporters? American peace activists American progressives and socialists British Radicals British Left Peace groups – eg Union of Democratic Control (UDC), NCF, feminists etc

24. 3 . Wilson and World War 1

25. Outbreak of War Wilson’s attitude to the War – like most Americans he was puzzled about causes Not persuaded by atrocity stories Early offers to mediate

26. Wilson and WW1 to 1917 Woodrow Wilson (Democratic Party) – opposed to entering WW1. Pursued neutrality while offering to mediate. The Left – opposed involvement in War. Instead, they advocated that the US should mediate. Feminist groups – dropped suffrage campaign to advocate a mediated peace. Most notable - Jane Addams and the Womens ’ Peace Party 35

27. 36 American delegation to the Hague Congress

28. American delegation to the International Womens ’ Congress The Hague 1915

29. WW1 - ‘peace groups’ mobilise ON THE CONTINENT Women’s Hague Congress April/May 1915 1800 women Jane Addams Julia Grace Wales 19 point plan to end the war and create a just and lasting peace Advocated a Neutral Conference of Continual Mediation to operate while the war continues to develop a peace plan Took the plan to national leaders of belligerent and neutral nations Origin of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom ( WILPF )

30. League of Free Nations July 1918 League of Nations Society May 1915 League of Nations Union Oct 1918 LEP League to Enforce Peace USA 1915 President Wilson From May 1916 Links to ‘league’ organisations

31. House-Grey Memorandum Feb 1916

32. League to Enforce P eace speech May 1916 Promised to support the creation of a ‘league of nations’ once the War was over

33. Presidential election Nov 1916 Made the ‘league’ a major plank of his foreign policy platform in the November 1916 Elections.

34. The German Peace Note 12 December 1916 Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg had favoured a possible US mediation since September. Bethmann-Hollweg wanted to achieve a negotiated peace to thwart the High Command’s (Hindenburg & Ludendorff) plan to escalate the War by initiating unrestricted submarine warfare. 44

35. The American Peace Note 18 December 1916 Wilson had delayed an attempt at public mediation until after the November 1916 election. With a second term secured Wilson felt free to mediate peace. Received high praise from British and American ‘peace movements’. eg UDC Allied leaders were shocked and felt betrayed. The King of England ‘wept’

36. The Reaction of Allied Governments to the Peace Notes Allied governments were outraged . Note : Britain now had a right-wing coalition government under ex-Liberal Lloyd George dedicated to a fight to the finish with Germany – a ‘Knock- O ut Blow ’. Allied Replies: - Dismissed German peace offer as arrogant But, a polite rejection of US Note - 10 th Jan 1917 –due to financial dependence on US loans. 46

37. Peace Without Victory Speech 22 January 1917

38. ‘Peace Without Victory’ speech President Wilson’s speech 22 January 1917 Criticized secret diplomacy, imperialism and militarism of both sides. Reflected the UDC prescription for a just and lasting peace Supported the creation of a ‘league of nations’ An attempt to keep mediation alive. Wilson’s most significant speech. 48

39. Significance of ‘ Peace Without Victory’ Speech A world statesman appeared to have reacted to the pressure of British and American ‘peace groups’ by adopting a left-wing liberal-internationalist prescription for world order. Wilson’s gave hope to a war-weary public 49

40. Steps to US e ntry into WW1 Unrestricted Submarine Warfare – Feb. 1917 & Zimmerman Telegram. Wilson still hoped for mediation during February and March but failed to engage Germany in peace discussions Lloyd George suggested the only way he could influence the peace settlement was join the War on the side of the Allies War Speech – 2 April 1917 USA at War 6 April 1917 50

41. Reasons for US Entry into WW1 To make the world ‘ safe for democracy’ not for selfish gain To have a seat at the peace conference and shape the peace settlement To get a League of Nations – the major aim of US foreign policy since May 1916 51

42. War Speech – 2 April 1917

43. War Speech – 2 April 1917 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xh0IRgr- lI

44. Conditions for US Entry? No collusion on Allied secret treaties An ‘ Associated Power ’ NOT an ally Why? – to reserve the right for a separate peace BUT Did not set conditions on US assistance to Allies 54

45. Long-term strategy AEF will win the war ( by 1919 or 1920 ) Allies will be financially indebted to the USA So , the USA will dominate at the peace conference & secure a league of nations and just peace

46. Long-term strategy The Allies will be financially in our hands.

47. Long-term strategy The Allies will be financially in our hands. BUT Wilson did not set conditions with the Allies for US joining the war US mobilisation was painfully slow US soldiers in France not allowed to fight until whole US Army formed

48. Wilson’s diplomacy 1917 SILENT for months – said nothing about revising war aims i gnored Russian request for a revision of war aims

49. Russian Revolution March 1917 Liberal-Socialist government adopted moderate war aims. Known as the Petrograd Formula – ‘no annexations, no indemnities’ Requests for Allies to redefine war aims to make a Germany more likely to accept a negotiated peace. 59

50. Benedict XV – Papal Peace Note THE VATICAN - Pope Benedict XV Sought to mediate peace since 1914 Proposed Christmas Truce in 1914 Approved of Wilson’s previous proposals for a negotiated peace with Germany, a just peace and ‘freedom of the seas’ August 1917 – Issued his PAPAL PEACE NOTE – with a simple 8-point plan for ending the war

51. Benedict XV – Papal Peace Note Bright Hope , p. 143

52. 4 . The New Wilsonian Vision: Sept-Nov 1917

53. Wilson’s Reply to the Papal Peace Note – 27 Aug 1917 Rejected negotiated peace based on Pope’s seven-point plan. No return to the ‘status quo ante bellum’ Targeted the German rulers, not the German people WHY? German government is a menace to the world Russia would be doomed if German rulers were left in power Germans would use a negotiated peace to recuperate and strike again at some future date

54. Henry W Massingham Nation Wilson’s Reply was impractical and short-sighted Making a German revolution a pre-condition for peace would prolong the War Despaired of Wilson’s strategy

55. Phillip Snowden Labour Leader What about the Allied war aims and secret treaties? Wilson’s demand for democracy in Germany was ‘objectionable’ Hypocritical – are the constitutions of Allied nations any more democratic? Suggested there should be a revolution for democracy in Great Britain and America too

56. Henry Brailsford Herald ‘ Mr Wilson has ruined the Pope’s intervention.’ Wilson’s Reply cannot be reconciled with Wilson’s ‘Peace Without Victory’ speech If America helps the Allies to crush Germany will Wilson be able to restrain the Allies’ ‘plans of dismemberment and vengeance?’ Wilson’s Reply will retard German democracy

57. John Nevin Sayre brother of Wilson’s son-in-law Wilson’s Reply starkly different to his Dec 1916 Peace Note Will strengthen German reactionaries Will lengthen the War Will end up with a ‘peace of exhaustion’ which will not be a good basis for a just and lasting peace

58. Randolph Bourne ‘The Collapse of American Strategy’ Aug 1917 Armed Neutrality had been the USA’s best option Will prolong the War and encourage reactionaries US strategy now the same as the Allies The pacifists were right when they predicted this when the US entered the War

59. Randolph Bourne ‘The Collapse of American Strategy’ Aug 1917 ‘The liberals …trusted him to use a war-technique which should consist of an olive branch in one hand and a sword in the other. They have had to see their strategy collapse under the very weight of that war-technique. Guarding neutrality, we might have countered toward a speedy and democratic peace. In the war, we are a rudderless nation, as the Allies wish, politically and materially, and towed to their aggrandizement, in any direction which they may desire .’ Randolph S Bourne, ‘The Collapse of American Strategy’, pp. 34-35.

60. Randolph Bourne ‘The Collapse of American Strategy’ Aug 1917 ‘The liberals …trusted him to use a war-technique which should consist of an olive branch in one hand and a sword in the other. They have had to see their strategy collapse under the very weight of that war-technique. Guarding neutrality, we might have countered toward a speedy and democratic peace. In the war, we are a rudderless nation, as the Allies wish, politically and materially, and towed to their aggrandizement, in any direction which they may desire .’ Randolph S Bourne, ‘The Collapse of American Strategy’, pp. 34-35.

61. 5 . From the Fourteen Points to the League

62. The Fourteen Points S peech 8 January 1918 Influenced by UDC and progressive ideas. Wilson’s Aims t o counter Bolshevik appeal to rally public opinion behind his vision for peace. t o pressure Allied leaders to accept his terms. To cause dissent in Germany

63. The ‘Fourteen Points’ to the Armistice Wilson’s League proposal was part of the ‘14 Points’ Oct 1918 – Germany asks for Armistice on basis on ‘14 Points’ BUT - Allied leaders (British, French and Italian) had not signed up to the ’ 14 Points 6 Nov 1918 - Allied leaders agreed to Armistice with Germany on the basis of the ‘14 Points’ – though a conditional acceptance

64. Constructing the League Wilson did not consult or attempt to build bipartisan consensus Political and organic vision for the League Discouraged public discussion on plans for a League until the war was over LEP’s vision of a judicial law-based League - rejected

65. Peace Conference

66. Peace Conference – fighting for the League Feb 1919 - Wilson fought against Allied leaders to get the League British government influence on draft League Covenant via Robert Cecil and Jan Smuts League accepted as part of the Treaty

67. Peace Conference – fighting for the League Feb 1919 - Wilson fought against Allied leaders to get the League British government influence on draft League Covenant via Robert Cecil and Jan Smuts League accepted as part of the Treaty PROBLEM Wilson had to agree to a harsh peace treaty in return for acceptance of his League by Allied leaders Both the League and Treaty of Versailles were rejected by the US Senate  USA did not join the League

68. The ‘League Fight’ back home Lodge led Senate opposition to League ratification by the US. Opposition to multilateral commitment by USA. Now, as a great power the USA should act unilaterally in world affairs and avoid entangling obligations. 78 Senator Lodge

69. Why did Wilson lose the ‘League Fight ’? Wilson’s alienation of his support base Wilson’s poor judgment October – Wilson fell victim to a massive stroke after an exhausting tour of the nation in September. Wilson hardened and refused any watering down of the League. March 1920 – League ratification fails for the second time USA never joined the League 79

70. 6 . Wilson’s failure as a neutral and at war

71. Wilson’s failure in WW1 – to April 1917 Shunned other neutral nations who wanted US leadership of neutral mediation attempts Failed to engage with other plans to end the war via mediation Wilson followed official neutrality but refused to stop munitions trade, Allied loans, or curtail the right of Americans to sail on belligerent ships Played a ‘lone hand’ on mediation. If there was to be mediation it was to be himself as mediator.

72. Wilson’s failure in WW1 – after US Entry Wilson was the lone ‘ W ilsonian ’ in his government Incapable of defending civil liberties domestically Appeared to abandon his policy of achieving a lasting peace via a negotiated end to the War Wilson’s entry into the War on the side of the Allies was unconditional Wilson killed off possibilities of a negotiated peace during 1917 Declared no definite peace terms until Jan 1918 Kept the Allied leaders at arms length and put them under no pressure to revise their war aims

73. 7 . Wilson’s legacy

74. Wilson’s Legacy The only world statesman to promote the idea of a League of Nations to guarantee the future peace of the world Succeeded in creating a League of Nations League was the forerunner of the United Nations and post WW2 settlement which has created the legal (and moral) foundation for the world today. .

75. Wilson’s Legacy The only world statesman to promote the idea of a League of Nations to guarantee the future peace of the world Succeeded in creating a League of Nations League was the forerunner of the United Nations and post WW2 settlement which has created the legal (and moral) foundation for the world today.. And the only hope for the future