DBQ Answer

DBQ Answers

Doc A
Validation: Wilson declares neutrality and discusses practical reasons for it. As most of the US supported this decision, this document shows that Wilson was in favor of neutrality and therefore isolationism because he doesn't want to get involved in the war.

Doc B
After German U-boats sunk a British passenger ship carrying American citizens, President Wilson sent this note to Germany. Validation: Wilson maintains that he wants the US to remain neutral and the actions cited therein are to protect neutrality and allow the US to concentrate on domestic issues rather than foreign affairs. Opposition: by sending this note to Germany, Wilson involved himself and the country in foreign affairs and thus violated both neutrality and isolationism.

Doc C
3/20/17 Sec of State Lansing advises against neutral policy, Germany wants to sever diplomatic relations, Wilson decides to do so and arms American ships going through German barricade. Validation: having remained neutral for two and a half years, the US appears to have no desire to enter the war. Neither Wilson nor the nation feel that American lives should be lost for a foreign cause. In order to safeguard our neutrality, Wilson ensures that American ships are armed against those who want to attack them. Also, by allowing Germany to sever diplomatic relations, Wilson shows that he doesn't mind being disassociated with the outside world. Opposition: as evidenced by the minutes, opinions varied concerning the proper foreign policy to follow. As Secretary of State, Lansing feels that isolationist ideals hurt the US more than help it. Wilson appears to want to preserve neutrality, but continues trade with warring nations and even arms the ships against attack by foreign powers. These actions hardly suggest a desire to stay out of the fray.

Doc D
Validation: As a Republican Senator, Lodge was strongly against American interference in the affairs of other nations if the other nations don't want the help. In this respect he was an isolationist and led the Senate in opposing US attempts to take an important position in world affairs. Opposition: even though Lodge was anti-intervention, he approved interference if the nation in question so desires it. Therefore, even an ardent isolationist approved limited involvement in world affairs.

Doc E
Validation: Although Wilson was very interested in making the nation a leading world power, the Republicans in Congress were not. Led by Henry Cabot Lodge, they opposed Article X, saying collective security bypassed Congressional power to declare war and was therefore unconstitutional. Dissenters wished to keep the US from intervening in the affairs of foreign nations and continue a policy of isolationism. Opposition: The inclusion of a provision for collective defense in the Treaty of Versailles shows an ability to think on an international level on President Wilson's part. Were it ratified, Article X would have involved the US in more foreign affairs and gotten rid of isolationism. Responsible for the foreign policy of the nation while in Versailles, Wilson's support of this document to some extent represented the opinion of the nation.

Doc F
Validation: As seen by the Senator bursting through the window in opposition to the "marriage," opposition to "foreign entanglements" was strong. Also, Wilson's marriage to the foreign entanglements suggests that collective security is his personal goal but not necessarily that of the whole nation. Opposition: . There really isn't any for this one.

Doc G
Validation: 14 points showed Wilson's desire to move away from isolationism. However, the country didn't think the fourteenth point, the League of Nations, was a good idea because they'd have to deal with the problems of other nations and would be unable to concentrate on their own. Thus, by opposing the Fourteen Points and especially the League of Nations, the people demonstrated a desire to remain isolationist. Opposition: Wilson was elected by the people, so they must have liked his ideas. He wanted to help the world on moral issues, which appealed to many Americans. It was just the Republicans who opposed his idealism.

Doc H
Opposition: Although the US was against involvement in Europe, we continued to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries. This practice was obviously a violation of isolationism, but we kept doing it anyway. To other nations, our persistence made us seem somewhat bullying and hypocritical - we proclaimed neutrality but did not practice it.

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