Week 14
Lecture
Usa member of big 4 (played big role in shaing post WWi world and during paris peace conference 1913) at end of war
with france, Britain, Italy
Wilson tried to keep US neutral for 2 and a half years
German decision to pursue all out submarine warfare on every commercial ship to Britain and an offer to alliance to
mexico: The Zimmerman Telegram (influenced US to enter war on side of allied powers, alliance btw Germany and
mexico and Germany would help mexico regain lost territories)
Wilson appeals to congress for ‘a war to end all wars’ that would ‘make the world safe for democracy’
US delares war o Germany 6th april 1917 and Austria-hungary 7th dec
The Wilsonian moment:
Period btw end of great war in 1918 and end of paris peace conference (1919 settle terms of post-war order, treaty of
versailled btw allied powers and Germany impose penalties on Germany, presented 14 pts,territorial changes and
borders were redrawn in europw, middle east and asia) in 1920 during which everything looked possible
Woodrow Wilson and vladmir ilyich Ulyanov / lenin(Russian, treaty of brest-litovsk, april theses outlining vision for
Bolshevik seizure of power) constitute 2 charismatic names that invoke ideas of national sovereignty
Manila argues that Wilson turned into a secular prophet of this new hopes
Who was Woodrow Wilson:
28th president of USA democrat party
Many of his ideas and decisions problematic however considered progressive leader of his times
Right to self determination, consent of the governed and elevation policy were all welcomed as very liberating and
progressive ideas by millions around the world
Becomes first ever POTUS to visit Europe and break American isolationism(avoid entangling alliances, foreign
interventions and involvement in global alliances) in dec 1918
Why were his ideas so important?
Becomes framework for legitimization and inspiration for struggles of national emancipation and anti-colonial struggles
around the world
‘peace without victory’ ‘community of power instead of balance of power’ etc
Three pillars of wilson’s thinking:
Equality of nations
Right over might
Consent of the governed (govt’s right to use state power is justified only when consented by its people)
These core ideas presented to American congress on 8 jan 1918 as 14 points of Wilson
Seeking legitimacy for national sovereignty and resistance:
From the mudros ceasefire in oct 1918 to greece’s inavasion in may 1919 a great uncertainity was that there was no
treaty for ottomans yet, no recognition of empires future existence
The committee of Wilsonian principles 4 jan 1918 in Istanbul:
Includes both CUP and opposition figures
Common goal: to keep empire alive
American mandate is entertained as viable option
Attempts to contact Wilson
Dissolves within 2 months but legitmising appeal of Wilsonian principles remain
Article 12:
Lecture
Usa member of big 4 (played big role in shaing post WWi world and during paris peace conference 1913) at end of war
with france, Britain, Italy
Wilson tried to keep US neutral for 2 and a half years
German decision to pursue all out submarine warfare on every commercial ship to Britain and an offer to alliance to
mexico: The Zimmerman Telegram (influenced US to enter war on side of allied powers, alliance btw Germany and
mexico and Germany would help mexico regain lost territories)
Wilson appeals to congress for ‘a war to end all wars’ that would ‘make the world safe for democracy’
US delares war o Germany 6th april 1917 and Austria-hungary 7th dec
The Wilsonian moment:
Period btw end of great war in 1918 and end of paris peace conference (1919 settle terms of post-war order, treaty of
versailled btw allied powers and Germany impose penalties on Germany, presented 14 pts,territorial changes and
borders were redrawn in europw, middle east and asia) in 1920 during which everything looked possible
Woodrow Wilson and vladmir ilyich Ulyanov / lenin(Russian, treaty of brest-litovsk, april theses outlining vision for
Bolshevik seizure of power) constitute 2 charismatic names that invoke ideas of national sovereignty
Manila argues that Wilson turned into a secular prophet of this new hopes
Who was Woodrow Wilson:
28th president of USA democrat party
Many of his ideas and decisions problematic however considered progressive leader of his times
Right to self determination, consent of the governed and elevation policy were all welcomed as very liberating and
progressive ideas by millions around the world
Becomes first ever POTUS to visit Europe and break American isolationism(avoid entangling alliances, foreign
interventions and involvement in global alliances) in dec 1918
Why were his ideas so important?
Becomes framework for legitimization and inspiration for struggles of national emancipation and anti-colonial struggles
around the world
‘peace without victory’ ‘community of power instead of balance of power’ etc
Three pillars of wilson’s thinking:
Equality of nations
Right over might
Consent of the governed (govt’s right to use state power is justified only when consented by its people)
These core ideas presented to American congress on 8 jan 1918 as 14 points of Wilson
Seeking legitimacy for national sovereignty and resistance:
From the mudros ceasefire in oct 1918 to greece’s inavasion in may 1919 a great uncertainity was that there was no
treaty for ottomans yet, no recognition of empires future existence
The committee of Wilsonian principles 4 jan 1918 in Istanbul:
Includes both CUP and opposition figures
Common goal: to keep empire alive
American mandate is entertained as viable option
Attempts to contact Wilson
Dissolves within 2 months but legitmising appeal of Wilsonian principles remain
Article 12:
