Political Powers Before and After WWI

In this essay, I will be discussing the World Orders before World War One and the governments that came out of the war. Also, I will focus on answering the following questions: a) If I think Liberal Capitalism was viable, and b) If there was a third alternative to Imperialism or Liberal Capitalism.

First of all, Imperialism was the main type of government before the war, and for many, one of the main reasons to go to war. Imperialism was all about control and making money. Bagby, a professor at WVU sums it up when writing, "Europeans had constructed great national states, which, by virtue of their political, economic, and intellectual development, made Europe the chief center of power." He also goes on to explain how even though Europe was a powerful country it was also divided. We had a ballgame on our hands featuring the Central Powers, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy and the Triple Alliance of Great Britain, France, and Russia. With this many countries being on top of the world and thinking of themselves as power houses, not to mention, competing for the most powerful empire, disaster is in the making. Each country's main goal was to monopolize natural resources, trade, and labor. As each European power took over its own colonies, the struggle to maintain the most powerful empire became uncontrollable. This want to support the "motherland" also introduced what we call Nationalism. Not only was the fight to maintain power a concern, but also the loyalty of all these small colonies became a distraction. This social phenomenon of loyalty to a certain culture and group defined by a particular nation created a large division in Europe.
Europe became a country at war with itself because the fear and determination to stay on top overcame these powerful empires. When the heir of Austria-Hungry was assassinated during a trip to the capital of Bosnia, Sarajevo, the commitment of war was inevitable.

Ultimately, the "war to end all wars" will destroy European empires and weaken Imperialism. While the US stayed out of the war as long as they could, they soon entered and helped end this long and destructive battle. Being a war of attribution, the United States economy allowed the allies to win. So, along with the win, comes the responsibility to gain a "New World Order", according to Wilson. His development of the 14 points and Open Door policy shifted the focus from Imperialism to Liberal Capitalism. This was a "triumph which ensured that American Foreign policy could not be guided by the atavistic values of traditional European imperialism." Wilson's main principles of the Open Door policy were: free access, self determination, and free trade. His 14 points adds that nations should be created based on culture and not on politics, as well as the creation of League of Nations. Here is what I believe was Wilson's efforts in broad terms, "(he) sought to use America's moral and material power to create a new international order, safe from the related threats of war and revolution, in which America could serve mankind from a position of political and economic pre-eminence." He wanted a world free to trade with whoever they wanted, become what they desired, and have security while doing so. The Treaty of Versailles was the creation of these ideas. In January of 1919, seventy delegates from twenty-eight nations assembled in Paris. "The Big Three" of the Versailles Peace Conference were British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau from France, and from the US, President Wilson. This was not a meeting of peace, since the enemy was not present. The treaty had many restrictions for Germany and also did not show favor toward Japan. Only after the terms of the agreement was made, was Germany invited to negotiate. Only a few concessions were made to the agreement. Although Wilson felt the treaty was a success, saying "America is the hope of the world" ,many did not. When he presented the treaty to the Senate to be approved, they denied its approval. The acceptance of this treaty and Liberal Capitalism was very mixed. Many felt that it was a plan that could work. Personally, I feel that if the plan was executed correctly, and every country would respect one another, free trade, self determination and the security of safety sounds like the best way to go. This is a plan that could work. Many liberals opposed the Treaty of Versailles because they felt the rules that were laid out were too harsh towards the "trouble makers". Other Americans wanted to stay out of the situation and take care of their own country. I'm sure they felt that was a good idea at the time, but their minds were changed when the Great Depression visited, huh? And lastly, some supported Wilson's ideas of Liberal Capitalism out of fear of their alternative form of government, which was socialism (communism).

Communism was well supported in Germany and the Soviet Union; however, Stalin and Hitler will have plans of their own to exhaust the socialist movement. In the 20th Century History dictionary, communism is defined as, "a 19th century theoretical term, a construct advocating absolute economic and political equality..." The movement of socialism in other areas of the country, "greatly alarmed the world's capitalists and democrats, and set off a semi-hysterical "red scare" in America. True socialism does not need a government to survive- the government is merely a "tool of the people's will". This obviously scared many people for political reasons. Therefore, liberal capitalism sounded much more appealing than a world of equality and no social classes.
In conclusion, Europe was dictated by multiple empires before WWI and this was a major cause of the war. After the US became involved, Wilson introduced Liberal Capitalism and tried to establish order and the League of Nations through the Treaty of Versailles. Even though many feel that this treaty was a huge failure, it helped establish free trade, security and the right to make your own living. This idea was both supported and opposed, but the option of socialism made Liberal Capitalism sound more appealing, especially to the capitalist and democrats of that time.

Bibliography:

Bagby, Wesley M, America's International Relations Since World War I. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Brownstone, David and Irene Franck, Dictionary of 20^th Century History. New York: Prentice Hall, 1990.

Levin, N, Woodrow Wilson and World Politics. New York: Oxford University Press, 1968.

Manzione, Joseph, lecture notes from History 318. Professor of History, Concord University, 2007.