Justification for War Essay

Woodrow Wilson’s Justifications for American Participation in World War I

Woodrow Wilson provides several justifications for why he supported American participation in World War I. He first asserts that the Germans have attacked American passenger and commercial vehicles as part of their battle against America. Wilson therefore suggested that the Congress declare war in order to safeguard the citizens of America. (Wilson 1). Wilson also contends that by joining World War I, America would raise the standard of democracy on the global stage. Wilson argues that American participation in the conflict would support the defense of human rights. He states that the German government has been infringing the rights of people from other countries by sinking all water vessels without considering the people and the items aboard. For instance, the Germans sink ships carrying relief food and medicines denying people the right to necessities (Wilson 2).

Wilson’s Justification for Anti-War

Wilson suggests that the country should participate in the war to support the state’s principles of justice and peace. He affirms that Germans are using their power to sustain their despotic and selfish interests. By taking part in the war, America would promote self-governance for all nations. Furthermore, Wilson justifies American involvement in the war by stating that the country’s participation would improve the security of other democratic people in the world. Wilson reveals that he dissents the presence of German spies in other countries including America.

Debs’ Opposition to American Involvement in World War I

Eugene V. Debs is against American involvement in World War I because he feels that the leaders supporting the armed conflict are being dishonest. He has a perception that leaders using patriotism to encourage the country’s involvement in war are misleading the nation (Debs 5). He argues that the leaders are the oppressors yet pretend to be proponents of patriotism and religiosity. They use this pretense to deceive the citizens.

Debs thinks that the calls for involvement in the war are deceptive. Moreover, he argues that the socialist movement is more effective in making decisions compared with the government. In his view, the authority always makes terrible decisions that finally affect the ordinary person.

Debs also accuses leaders supporting American involvement in the war of double standards. He claims that the leaders fronting the armed conflict dine with known dictators who commit crimes against humanity (Debs 10). For instance, he mentions that the leaders work with the German Empire harmoniously and yet the authority murdered a large number of people. Moreover, Debs blames the American leaders for using the poor citizens during battles. The commanders declare war gaining everything, and then the ordinary citizens fight the battles losing their lives.

The Image Reflects the Ideas in Both Document One and Two

The image reflects the ideas in both document one and two. The model has an ogre with a human female in his hands (Image). He has the word militarism on his forehead and a club in his right arm. The image illustrates how the military forces around the world are ready to brutalize the ordinary citizens. The ogre also represents the leaders around the globe who propose war and assemble the military weapons, while the woman represents the masses that follow the directives of their leaders to go to war. In the first case, Wilson, as a leader encourages the masses to prepare to go to World War I providing reasons for the action. In the second case, Debs also criticizes leaders for misleading the public and encouraging them to participate in wars by going to the battlefield.

Works Cited

Debs, E.V. “The Canton, Ohio Speech, Anti-War Speech.” The Call (1918): 1-20.

Image. (n.d.).

Wilson, Woodrow. “The World Must Be Made Safe for Democracy.” (1917): 1-7.