The University of Oklahoma Progressive Impulse & Economic and Political Progress Discussion

/in /by

Is World War I better understood as a fulfillment of the Progressive impulse or a betrayal of the Progressive impulse? Defend your answer with reference to at least one of the assigned readings.

Required reading: Voices of Freedom

  • Document 126 – Woodrow Wilson, A World “Safe for Democracy” (1917)
  • Document 127 – Randolph Bourne, “War is the Health of the State” (1918)
  • Document 128 – A Critique of the Versailles Peace Conference (1919)

Optional reading: Give Me Liberty

  • Chapter 19

REPLY TO:
I better understood World War I as a fulfillment of the Progressive impulse. The U.S. is less than betrayal but more rhetorical. In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson got reelected. He revealed his Fourteen Points to Congress. His foreign policy, called by the historians “liberal internationalism,” according to Document 126 Woodrow Wilson, A world “safe for Democracy.” President Woodrow thought that entering World War I would help support his campaigns about promoting both free market and Democracy. He put the primary right and ideals for the postwar peace, such as the end to secret treaties, freedom of the sea free trade, reduction of war weaponry, recognition of the right of colonized people. He assures that his Fourteen points would be a great Ideal for peace throughout the communication and negotiations. He claims that the only thing to bring peace to Europe is against selfish and autocratic power. British and France force The Willson to make drastic compromises, but he considers for the peace we told that he has no feeling toward German people but sympathy and friendship. He assures that to bring our peaceful the government should not be autocratic, and they can never maintain the peace except by a partnership of democratic.