During the 1912 election, Woodrow Wilson preached unity amongst the nation’s
diverse interests. Although class interests concerned the presidential candidate, ethnic
interests greatly concerned Wilson. Wilson strongly desired to have all Americans united
as one people. The first Americanism is that we must love one another – foreign race
and creed.
Wilson applied this philosophy throughout World War I to weld together the
country’s mindset. Ethnic interests would not divide the United State’s policy.
Poles and Polish-Americans, campaigning for an independent Poland, fostered difficulties for Wilson’s adherence to this policy. The Administration endured constant pressure to not only recognize Poland’s independence but to persuade World War I belligerents to do the same. Being an idealist, Wilson favored the principle of self-determination. The President, at heart, supported Polish independence. Yet Wilson also was a practical politician. Many other ethnic groups in America expected their native lands to be recognized as sovereign nations. If one nation received recognition, then others would demand the same, or would be bitter towards the President. Therefore Wilson promoted self-determination and the independence of Poland, but he would not grant official recognition in order to preserve the unity of the nation during the war.
©2006 Tim Sheehan