History 416

The Wilsonian Agenda Abroad

September 19, 2005

I. Origins of World War I

            1. Background to War (Anglo-German tensions; imperialism and international instability)

2. Movement toward War (shifting alliances; the Balkans)

3. Road to War (European mindset; confrontation develops)

II. Wilson and Mexico

            1. The Mexican Revolution (causes of revolution: regionalism, Diaz and rivalries among the Mexican elite, Diaz, cientificos, and rivalries among the international elite; from Diaz to Madero; international response to Madero—Britain and oil investments, German expansionism, Taft and concerns about Mexican democracy; Henry Lane Wilson, Huerta, and assassination of Madero)

            2. Wilson’s Response (1912 campaign and attacks on Dollar Diplomacy; refusal to extend recognition; special emissaries; Constitutionalist revolt; Wilson and Villa; Veracruz intervention and domestic reaction—role of peace progressives, Lodge; Veracruz intervention and Mexican reaction—ouster of Huerta, tensions with Carranza; divergent paths and road to 1917 Constitution)

III. Wilson and the Caribbean Basin

            1. The Canal and International Affairs (US and Panamanian revolution; Roosevelt Corollary; failure of Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy; foreign interests and the Caribbean Basin—Germany, Britain; Wilson and “deserving Democrats”; significance of Navy and Marines)

            2. Interventions (Haiti and breakdown of order; Bryan, State Department, and decision to intervene; Navy and internal turf war; cooperation among Haitian elite; US disinterest and road to rebellion; Dominican Republic and breakdown of order; imposition of military rule; rebellion and Marines)

            3. Central America (failure of Colombian treaty and legacy of TR; continuation of Nicaraguan occupation; Costa Rican difficulties)

IV. Wilson and East Asia

            1. East Asia and Wartime International Affairs (rise of instability—aftermath of Russo-Japanese War, tensions in US-Japanese relations, Chinese Revolution, outbreak of war and spheres of influence system)

            2. Outbreak of War (Japan, Allies, and German protectorates; China and emergence of Yuan Shih-kai; Wilson and continuities with Taft policy; role of China Lobby)