Woodrow Wilson's principled preaching on United States foreign policy, 1913--1917
Woodrow Wilson based his ideals and actions as president on principles shaped by his religious beliefs. While Wilson scholars have examined his idealism, few have traced the religious roots of the principles that formed his ideology. During the period of American neutrality from 1914 to 1917, he made numerous public speeches that afford insight into his religious beliefs, their relationship to his understanding of presidential leadership, good government, and especially foreign policy. Wilson believed that good leaders used oratory to inform the people of important issues and guide them to support the best policies. His speeches reflect what he thought the public needed to know to approve his plans and undertakings and the concepts he used to gain that approval. Thus, the speeches provide unique insight into how Woodrow Wilson justified U.S. foreign policies and actions.
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