An Empire of Ideals: The Chimeric Imagination of Ronald Reagan by Justin D. Garrison

Author:Justin D. Garrison [Garrison, Justin D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: History & Theory, Political Science, Executive Branch, American Government, General
ISBN: 9780415818483
Google: qB_W46GGihAC
Goodreads: 16241277
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2013-01-15T08:31:36+00:00

In conceptualizing his foreign policy activities in this manner, Wilson further departed from the older vision of the United States as a model of liberty defending its own interests, replacing it with an image of America as a selfless, righteous, global apostle and pedagogue of freedom and democracy. This crusading spirit of service on behalf of mankind was also manifest in Wilson's vision of America's role in World War I.

As was the case with Mexico, the war in Europe threatened a number of American interests. Nevertheless, under Wilson's leadership, the United States stayed out of the war until 1917. Why? McDougall writes that although the damage caused by the war to American commerce was serious, it did not seem to matter all that much to Wilson.76 He was not going to enter into the largest conflict in a century merely to protect what he considered to be selfish American interests. Wilson made clear the conditions upon which the United States would enter World War I. During his 1916 Gridiron Dinner Address, he stated, “America ought to keep out of this war. She ought to keep out of this war at the sacrifice of everything except this single thing upon which her character and history are founded, her sense of humanity and justice.”77 The only basis upon which America would fight was when it perceived its honor, which consisted of commitments to ahistorical notions of justice and sentimental notions of humanity, to be under attack. Wilson concluded these remarks by telling the audience that their restraint would be rewarded. After explaining the meaning of valor in a manner similar to St. Paul's description of love in 1 Corinthians 13, Wilson declared, “Valor withholds itself from all small implications and entanglements and waits for the great opportunity when the sword will flash as if it carried the light of heaven upon its blade.”78 The United States would be using righteous force if only it could wait for its “great opportunity.” In Wilson's mind, the sword of America was the sword of God.

As late as January 1917, Wilson was committed to maintaining American neutrality so as to prepare for its role as the mediator of the world. But events in February and early March of that year, especially the discovery of the Zimmermann telegram and Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare, finally convinced Wilson that war with Germany was the only way in which he could defend America's sense of justice and humanity. On April 2, 1917, he addressed the U.S. Congress and asked them formally to declare war. He argued that Germany was the aggressor forcing war upon a reluctant and neutral United States. He also explained that the United States was going to war, not to avenge the losses of life and treasure from the previous months or years, but for that constant purpose of service to humanity.

Wilson stressed that America was not going to war against the German people, for whom the United States felt nothing but respect and sympathy,

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