Question

In his speech, Wilson makes the following statement: “All the peoples of the world are in effect partners in this interest, and for our own part we see very clearly that unless justice be done to others it will not be done to us... The program of the world's peace, therefore, is our program…”

How does this quotation and Wilson’s speech reveal a changing US position concerning involvement in foreign affairs during and after World War I?

Answer 1

open response

Answer 2

This is from Wilson's 14 points.

Although Wilson's plan met with mixed success, it is the beginning of recognition that the US of A is a major player in the order of the world.

Before WWI, empire was the thing. European countries were eager to cut up the rest of the world for dominance. The US played along too for a while. But mostly we watched out for ourselves.

WWI was the beginning of the end of a world of empires. It took time, another world war and a lot of independence movements in Africa, Asia and others. But the US became the most powerful nation on Earth.

Wilson realized what Spiderman learned. "With great power comes great responsibility."

It falls to us to be a bit of a policeman for the world. If we don't, somebody else will.