Wilson’s
Foreign Policy: Day 1.
Objective: To understand Wilson’s idealism in foreign policy and US involvement in Mexico and to study a map of Europe in preparation for the war to come.
Materials:
Mexican hat (sombrero)
General’s hat (soldier)
Book – page 548.
Homework:
Section 1 review. Page 548
Finish up the maps.
Research:
What was Wilson’s view as opposed to Taft and Roosevelt?
Wilson disliked the assertive policies of Taft and Roosevelt. He advocated moral diplomacy (a policy that made the US the conscience of the world). He hoped to spread democracy, condemn colonialism, and promote peace.
Bryan (Secretary of State) suggested that the world solve problems with “cooling off” treaties. Every international conflict would be solved by a third party and the countries would remain peaceful while the conflict was resolved.
How did Wilson interact with Japan?
In California legislators passed a law that prohibited non-citizens from owning land. Japanese immigrants were affected the most. Wilson ignored the racist overtones of the law. When the Japanese government began to protest Wilson sent Bryan to change the policy, but they did nothing. Wilson also protested the Japanese demands on China following the beginning of World War I. Japan eased off of its 21 points (pretty much making China a protectorate) and remained bitter towards the US.
How did Wilson deal with Latin America?
Wilson hoped to promote democracy and ensure the security of the Panama Canal in Latin America. Wilson answered upheavals in Haiti and the Dominican Republic with troops. Haiti was also pressured by the US to become a protectorate. Wilson’s plans to aid Latin American nations and prepare them for democracy inspired hatred rather than friendship.
How did the US become involved in the Mexican Civil War?
In 1911 General Huerta seized power in Mexico and favored the wealthy landowners. Venustiano Carranza led the resistance to the Mexican regime. When Huerta declared himself military dictator of the regime, then Wilson banned arms shipment to Mexico. When some US sailors were arrested in Mexico, Wilson reacted quickly despite an apology and took the Port of Vera Cruz.
Carranza defeated Huerta, but a man named Fransisco Pancho Villa revolted against Carranza and the US (after the US recognized Carranza’s govt.). Wilson sent General John Pershing down to find Pancho, but the 10,000 men trekking 300 miles into Mexico caused unrest in the Mexican Government.
Have a student-Wilson help the Latin American on to a chair and rise him/her up to democracy. Explain moral diplomacy.
Now set the scene for a fight in school. Have two students face off and glare and huff at each other (they could be fighting over an issue that would prove humorous). Have someone step in and start a committee to discuss the problem and resolve the battle peacefully. Sit a few students in a circle to discuss the problem. Be sure to show how there is no real way to enforce that the two students will stay peaceful. Explain Wilson and Bryan and their cooling off treaty.
Japan:
Have three students leave the class and return as “immigrants” to California. While they are gone remove their desks. Explain the law that would not allow the Japanese to have land in the US. Explain how Wilson reacted little to this racism and angered Japan.
Have four students stand (two close to each other and two far away) hand two of them sticks. Tell them to “gently” swordfight. Have the other students become the focus and allow the student representing Japan to attempt to control the other student. Have the US step in – explain the anger caused by this interference in China.
Get Wilson and have him write his goals up on the board. Assign him troops. Identify Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Have them quarrel – send in troops. Have them get unhappy.
Divide the room in two and put a line of desks in between. Define the US and Mexico, you’ll need a Huerta and a Carranza and a Wilson. Start the dispute in Mexico. Explain the sailors and Wilson’s reaction. Carranza wins (Wilson approves). PANCHO VILLA comes in and attacks the US border. Have Wilson send in a ton of troops with Black Jack Pershing.
Assign Section 1 (1 through 4) – Due on Friday – Page
548.
Maps for Tomorrow:
The students need to create three maps. One should be a decent replica with the capitals, one should be a replica with strait lines, and one should be a replica with geometric shapes.
Abstract maps – Spain, France, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Switzerland.