The Great War
The Great War began in Europe, countries where they fought for two consecutive years before the United States noticed the dangers it might bring to their home country (Alan, 2018: p. 584). The United States had its international relations threatened, and they entered the war in 1917. Theodore Roosevelt believed that there was a need to use the existence of the war to spread the United States’ power. The power of using the ‘Big Stick’ to ensure the uncivilized countries is assimilated into civilization while the civilized nations get arbitration. The civilized nations included the Anglo-Saxon and white countries, while uncivilized nations included the Latin (p. 584). Roosevelt’s argument was that the developed countries had the mandate to ensure the growth and development of the uncivilized nations as it contributes to world peace. This is what led him to establish ‘Roosevelt Corollary’, a doctrine wished for the Monroe (p. 585). Protection of the unprivileged countries was witnessed due to the ‘Roosevelt Corollary’ as Cuba got its independence, freedom from foreign countries.
Roosevelt made another foreign move that brought about the Panama Rebellion as he wanted to build the Panama Canal. The link was to increase the United States influence according to him, but this move was met with revolt. However, Roosevelt had military power, and the troops that were sent to maintain law and order made Colombia comply with the terms (p. 589). Wilson’s regime followed the footsteps of the predecessors but with little international interest. However, he came to the rescue of the Nicaragua and influence on Mexico. Self determination of Wilson ensured peaceful existence with their rivals like Germany. The Zimmerman telegram helped Wilson devise a way of maneuvering the imminent war from Germany. Wilson planned war to Germany known as a war for democracy that would bring world peace and ‘self determination’ to all countries, this meant peace with no victory. Wilson’s foreign policies can still be felt between the United States and the former USSR nations. These nations, later on, experienced had times in the ‘no man’s land’ trenches at the onset of World War I. The trench warfare was costly both emotionally and financially. The people involved suffered stress and pain.
The treaty of Versailles did not go well with Wilson as some senators rejected the idea. This, later on, gave him hard times and threatened his health as he walked around campaigning for the treaty that failed. Therefore, it is evident that Wilson’s foreign policies still impact the state of affairs between the West and former USSR nations like Germany, China, and Russia. They are battling for supremacy on both political and financial influence across the globe. The ongoing peace talks between the United States and countries like China and Russia is as a result of policies that grew from the Wilson’s government.