Kaitlyn+W.+-+SM+-+SP12

==== The United States entered the First World War not "to make the world safe for democracy" as President Wilson claimed, but to safeguard American economic interests. Assess the validity of this statement. ====

==== The First World War was originally of no interest to the United States, at least in regard to participating. President Woodrow Wilson at first intended to stay neutral, but something changed his mind in 1917 when he declared war against Germany. He claimed they were entering “to make the world safe for democracy,” but whether or not that is true has been questioned. While Wilson tried to hide the real reason for joining, it was clear through his words and actions, that his true motive was the economy, showing that the statement above is valid. ====

==== After two or three years of staying neutral in the war, Wilson announced that he believed entering the war was necessary. At first, many opposed taking part in the war, but he won them over with his apparent reasons for involving the U.S. He claimed he was doing everything for the best of the country and to keep it safe, and “he won the nation with his lofty ideals” (Kennedy 707). But, when Wilson gave his Fourteen Points Address, some of his first five points contradicted his supposed “ideals.” The third of his first five points stated “a removal of economic barriers among nations was comforting to Germany, which feared a postwar vengeance” (Kennedy 707). Was the idea of this point truly to avoid “postwar vengeance,” or was the intention to bring down the economy of Germany to protect that of America? Some may say his intentions were good, but the next point regarded economy as well. The fourth point was “reduction of armament burdens was gratifying to taxpayers everywhere” (Kennedy 707). Again, this point relates economy. If he was so adamant on the safety of the country, why would economy have been brought up twice in the first five points of his “famed” address? ====

==== Also, it was clear that Wilson realized the economical benefit America could obtain by joining its old allied forces in the World War (U.S. Economy ). Wilson knew that Britain and France needed help in the war, and saw that “there was considerable sentiment in the United States for saving our traditional allies” (U.S. Economy). Trade was very important to Wilson, due to the large impact it has on the economy. A blockade of Germany and Austria by France and Britain bother the Wilson Administration. Preventing them from trading with Sweden and other neutrals, the U.S complained that there were international laws protecting their trade with other neutrals. Surely, Wilson thought, joining the war could help this problem with trade due to the fact that they would once again be coming to the aide of old allies, and trade was not going as well as Wilson had hoped being neutral (U.S. Economy). Wilson clearly had the idea and hope of becoming "London's equal if not her superior in the contest to be the world's leading financial center," which did eventually take place (The Economics). ====

==== Wilson did not have the best interests of the country in mind when he declared war on Germany. Instead it was his own selfish goals that motivated his sudden, and unexpected choice. He did his best to convince the country otherwise, but eventually, the truth was known by many, and his true intentions were revealed. ====