Topic 8: WWI

 Topic 8: World War I

1. Foreign policy: Wilsonianism (idealism; national self-determination; collective security)
2. Domestic policies: suppression of dissent; Committee on Public Information; Espionage and Sedition Acts

Readings: AY, Chapter 21

Lecture videos: World War One 1

Describe the 3 strands of Wilsonian foreign policy discussed in the lecture: Wilsonian internationalism; collective security; national self-determination. What is the difference between realism and idealism in foreign policy?

- Wilson will see US policy holding up a new attitude. Cannot take an isolationist stance

Can no longer remain detached from the rest of the war. 

Wilson & US Foreign Policy

"To make the world safe for democracy"

1) Wilsonian Idealism

    - a reason for going to the war was based on idealistic ideas. 

    - Wilson is putting US goals on more idealistic ideals like making the world safe for democracy

    - Spreading US values around the world

    - making assumptions that this is what others want & that democracy is wanted, a form of American exceptionalism

2) Collective Security:

    - meant as a replacement alliance

    - International democratic system - instead of fighting get together & talk about it

      "League of Nations"

3) National Self-determination:

    - Replace the empire with nations (nation-states)

    - They have the right to determine their own political affairs

What is the difference between realism and idealism in foreign policy?

Idealism - moral consideration enters the shaping of foreign policy (you must take in moral considerations when thinking about foreign policy)

    Example: promoting justice; humanitarianism; eliminating poverty

Realism - no moral considerations should influence foreign policy. (also known as "realpolitik")

    National-self interest is primary, you do not think about humanitarism, you think about your country

    Machiavellianism - must compromise your morality to rise up in power. 

Lecture videos: World War One 2

-Historical terms: Committee on Public Information; "to make the world safe for democracy"; Sedition and Espionage Acts; 1917 Immigration Act

• Committee on Public Information (CPI) 
• Crell
• Idealistic rhetoric - to appeal to the highest ideals
• faith and democracy
• American family, justice, community
• Go on a widespread public mission to produce propaganda for the world

• "100% Americanism" in a nation of immigrants
• it appealed to all immigrants to leave their ties towards their homeland & support the US
• Banned the performance of Beethoven. 
• Laws were passed that affected non white immigrants

• 1917 Immigration Act 
• to prevent suspicious immigrants from coming in
• Directed to all immigrants (except English & French)
• Had to pass a literacy test

• the "Asiatic Barred Zone"
• outlawed all persons from Asia
• Added to the 1917 Immigration Act
• The Philippines was exempt because they were a colony

• Espionage and Sedition Acts
• Imposed the most severe restricts to civil liberties
• Sedition Act 1918: Forbade "Disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the war effort

• Military necessity