Channels, Spring 2019

Page 42 Wilt • The President, Foreign Policy a Big Stick.” 46 This particular foreign policy was the antecedent to the “Peace through Strength” mantra, which would later become a staple of the Republican Party platform. Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency came on the heels of the Spanish-American War, which saw the acquisition of the Philippines and Cuba from Spain, and the annexation of Hawaii as a territory. During this time of unprecedented wealth and security for the American people, labor reforms, and environmental conservation efforts, President Theodore Roosevelt’s agenda was to promote American ideals and principles to the world. He established an addendum to the Monroe Doctrine, known famously as the Roosevelt Corollary. This maxim sought to oppose European intervention in Latin America and the Western Hemisphere at-large. Instead, the United States would be the one who would promote America as the “policeman” of the Western Hemisphere – much to the dismay and disapproval of Latin America. 47 President Roosevelt’s extension of the his foreign policy power came in the form of continuing the Monroe Doctrine into the twentieth century and convincing Congress to build up the U.S. Navy as a sign of American strength and resolve. 48 Roosevelt deployed the Corollary in the Dominican Republic as he moved to set up a “fiscal protectorate,” which was deemed unconstitutional by Congress absent a formal treaty, thereby checking the presidency. Roosevelt hoped to gain the support of Congress; however, the absence of their support required Roosevelt to draft a new treaty in order to gain congressional sanction. 49 The election of WoodrowWilson to the Presidency also caused a shift in foreign policy and war- making powers. During President Wilson’s first term, he pursued a neutral policy toward the erupting wars throughout Europe – much like his predecessors Washington, Monroe, and Theodore Roosevelt. In fact, he was the first Democratic president elected to a second consecutive term since Andrew Jackson in the 1916 presidential election, all under the slogan, “He Kept Us Out of the War.” 50 Ironically, not five months later, it was Wilson who ushered America into the First World War by seeking congressional authorization upon the culmination of several factors, including Germany’s resuming its unrestricted submarine warfare, attacking neutral shipping, and offering to help Mexico reclaim parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Wilson’s approach was tailored through a moralist and idealist lens. 51 President Wilson, following the deadly and costly First World War, engaged Europe rather than shrinking away from being involved. This approach was new and unique, as it parted ways from the Monroe Doctrine’s maxim to remain uninvolved in the European theater: He proposed the League of Nations, an organization of nations from around the world coming together to seek peaceful discussions on global issues. His proposal highlighted both domestic agendas he set at home and global policies predicated on his version of American idealism. Overall, the plan was progressive in nature, and advocated for increased globalization and liberalization of American foreign policy approaches. President Wilson called for an open covenant of peace (the League of Nations forum), “absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas,” the removal of trade barriers between nations, reduction of arms, and a “free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims.” 52 46 Milkis, Sidney. “Theodore Roosevelt: Foreign Affairs.” University of Virginia’s Miller Center , 2018. https://millercenter.org/president/roosevelt/foreign-affairs 47 Ibid. 48 Ibid. 49 Fisher, Presidential War Power , 59-60. 50 Cogan. Charles. “He Kept Us Out of War.” Huffington Post , 2012. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr- charles-g-cogan/he-kept-us-out-of-war_b_3931495.html. 51 Wilson, Woodrow. “Fourteen Points.” Avalon Project (Yale ), 2018. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/wilson14.asp 52 Ibid.