In creating the Constitution, the founding fathers of the United States sought to outline a strong foundation upon which their new country would be formed. Establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquillity, and securing the blessings of liberty are among the most important values these men highlighted in the Preamble to the American Constitution. While incredible change has occurred since the constructing of the Constitution in 1787, American citizens still maintain these ideals, and the United States government still conceives policies based off of these core values. Although United States foreign policy should mirror these American identities of fairness, peace, and freedom, presidents do not always base their decisions upon them. While
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Throughout his presidency, Wilson stressed the importance of spreading democracy to less developed nations. Many of his foreign policy decisions were based on his belief that “just government” must rest “upon the consent of the governed.” In the mid 1910s, Wilson sent U.S. forces into Haiti and the Dominican Republic to restore order and spread democracy during a period of chronic political instability. While he was unsuccessful in ultimately instituting a democratic system in Haiti and the Dominican, Wilson’s attempt appealed to the American value of establishing justice. Similarly, President Roosevelt set out to spread American ideals to the rest of the world throughout his term in office. After the assassination of President McKinley and the end of the Spanish - American War, Roosevelt was left with the task of managing and governing the Philippines. Under the advisement of William Taft, the first civilian governor of the islands, Roosevelt initiated an effort to implement a civil government with elected legislators for the Filipino citizens. Roosevelt felt that by introducing a democratic form of government to the Philippines, they could be more self sufficient and less corrupt in the future. In general, Wilson and Roosevelt responsibly acted on their foreign policy, mirroring the American ideal of protecting and spreading …show more content…
While perhaps best known for his aggressive foreign policy, Roosevelt was also a peacemaker throughout his two terms as president. Roosevelt strongly believed in the importance of settling disputes peacefully and through diplomatic efforts as opposed to war. One of his most successful efforts in administering peace was during the Russo - Japanese War, during which President Roosevelt convinced the leaders of both Russia and Japan to meet and discuss a peace negotiation. While at first unsuccessful in his efforts, the opposing nations finally came to a peace agreement, and Roosevelt was honored with a Nobel Peace Prize for his work. This, along with later arbitrating a dispute between France and Germany over the division of Morocco, earned Roosevelt the title of “peacemaker” during his presidency. After being elected president, Wilson was determined to base his foreign policy on moral principles as opposed to selfish materialism. This desire was highlighted by the neutral position he took at the start of World War I. Wilson felt that in order to ensure peace and stability among the American people, he had to stay out of the war as many American citizens were born in one of the countries at war. Staying neutral was essential, Wilson proposed, to prevent civil disturbance and to stay
Throughout his presidency, Wilson stressed the importance of spreading democracy to less developed nations. Many of his foreign policy decisions were based on his belief that “just government” must rest “upon the consent of the governed.” In the mid 1910s, Wilson sent U.S. forces into Haiti and the Dominican Republic to restore order and spread democracy during a period of chronic political instability. While he was unsuccessful in ultimately instituting a democratic system in Haiti and the Dominican, Wilson’s attempt appealed to the American value of establishing justice. Similarly, President Roosevelt set out to spread American ideals to the rest of the world throughout his term in office. After the assassination of President McKinley and the end of the Spanish - American War, Roosevelt was left with the task of managing and governing the Philippines. Under the advisement of William Taft, the first civilian governor of the islands, Roosevelt initiated an effort to implement a civil government with elected legislators for the Filipino citizens. Roosevelt felt that by introducing a democratic form of government to the Philippines, they could be more self sufficient and less corrupt in the future. In general, Wilson and Roosevelt responsibly acted on their foreign policy, mirroring the American ideal of protecting and spreading …show more content…
While perhaps best known for his aggressive foreign policy, Roosevelt was also a peacemaker throughout his two terms as president. Roosevelt strongly believed in the importance of settling disputes peacefully and through diplomatic efforts as opposed to war. One of his most successful efforts in administering peace was during the Russo - Japanese War, during which President Roosevelt convinced the leaders of both Russia and Japan to meet and discuss a peace negotiation. While at first unsuccessful in his efforts, the opposing nations finally came to a peace agreement, and Roosevelt was honored with a Nobel Peace Prize for his work. This, along with later arbitrating a dispute between France and Germany over the division of Morocco, earned Roosevelt the title of “peacemaker” during his presidency. After being elected president, Wilson was determined to base his foreign policy on moral principles as opposed to selfish materialism. This desire was highlighted by the neutral position he took at the start of World War I. Wilson felt that in order to ensure peace and stability among the American people, he had to stay out of the war as many American citizens were born in one of the countries at war. Staying neutral was essential, Wilson proposed, to prevent civil disturbance and to stay