President Woodrow Wilson's Speech to Congress Before Entering WWI vol. IRONY

[hankmoody]

Originally Posted by TeamJordan79

JohnnyRedStorm wrote:

Just to show u that just because you're a professor at Princeton, doesn't mean you're smart 

Intelligence does not have anything do with morality. 

Originally Posted by Boys Noize

Originally Posted by zapatohead408

How does this make Wilson a scumbag? 

He is one of the best presidents the United States has ever had, much better than Barack Obama. Also so you guys don't get the wrong idea about Wilson he did not want to go to war, one of the main reasons for the U.S not entering the Great War until the last years.

I disagree.
Woodrow Wilson knowingly lied and misled congress and the American public in order to enter WWI. His justification for war was the sinking of the Lusitania, a British passenger ship carrying American citizens. What he didn't tell the public was that Germany had issued a warning to the US, telling it's citizens NOT to be on board belligerent ships (Britain was actively engaged in war with Germany at the time.) What he didn't tell the public was that the Lusitania was carrying ammunition and war goods to Britain. Germany had every reason to sink the Lusitania. There is a reason why during the onset of WWII, before the US was involved, that the US government specifically and strictly warned US citizens NOT to board vessels belonging to nations at war, that if they did it would be at their own peril.

There is every indication that Wilson DID want to go to war. In his speeches he might have put on the air of wanting to be neutral and "peaceful" but the US government's actions said differently. If the US truly wanted to stay out of the war, why did they actively ignore warnings to stay off belligerent ships? Why did they actively ignore warnings not to sail in the war zone? Why did they actively trade ammunition and war goods to the Allies? Why did they loan substantial amounts of credit to the Allies? These are hardly the actions of a country staying "neutral."

I'd assert that Wilson was looking for a reason to enter the war and found it in the Lusitania. The moment Germany disrupted US trade by enacting the naval blockade was the moment the US was going to get involved. We've seen this throughout our nations history. The moment a country denies the US it's right to free trade and especially freedom of the sea, the US gets involved. More recently, when Iran threatened to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, the US sent a battlecruiser there within the week and they backed off. The quickest way to get the US into a war is to infringe upon it's right to trade.

Why else do I think Wilson is a scumbag? For one thing, if the United States had never gotten into WWI, things would have turned out much differently in Europe. Keep in mind that the German government at the time of WWI were not the same as the Nazi party that Adolf Hitler led. Germany had proven at the time to be strong leaders and should have been allowed to rule. Look at Germany now during the European financial crisis. They are the only nation that seems capable of leading Europe out of their financial crisis. I hope they leverage their lending abilities into a more central role in European rule. This was NOT our conflict. We did not have any beef with Germany but we decided to side with the Allies due to our history. If the US had never gotten involved, Germany would most likely not have lost in WWI. If Germany did not lose the war and were saddled with crippling debt and reparations, a leader like Adolf Hitler would not have risen to power. It took the financial crisis that hit Germany after the war to persuade people to turn to a more radical voice that promised the people their former greatness.

And of course, without WWII, there would be no forty year long Cold War. It's a lot of "what ifs" but I think we know enough facts about WWI to come to some of these conclusions.

I'll say. By no means am I very knowledgeable on WWI, but the explanation above seems too simplistic, appears to lay far too much blame on the US, and doesn't even begin to take into account the consequences of an Axis victory. 

Also, to everyone, please recommend books on WWI. 

 

[theone2401]

Originally Posted by Boys Noize

Originally Posted by zapatohead408

How does this make Wilson a scumbag?

He is one of the best presidents the United States has ever had, much better than Barack Obama. Also so you guys don't get the wrong idea about Wilson he did not want to go to war, one of the main reasons for the U.S not entering the Great War until the last years.

I disagree.
Woodrow Wilson knowingly lied and misled congress and the American public in order to enter WWI. His justification for war was the sinking of the Lusitania, a British passenger ship carrying American citizens. What he didn't tell the public was that Germany had issued a warning to the US, telling it's citizens NOT to be on board belligerent ships (Britain was actively engaged in war with Germany at the time.) What he didn't tell the public was that the Lusitania was carrying ammunition and war goods to Britain. Germany had every reason to sink the Lusitania. There is a reason why during the onset of WWII, before the US was involved, that the US government specifically and strictly warned US citizens NOT to board vessels belonging to nations at war, that if they did it would be at their own peril.

There is every indication that Wilson DID want to go to war. In his speeches he might have put on the air of wanting to be neutral and "peaceful" but the US government's actions said differently. If the US truly wanted to stay out of the war, why did they actively ignore warnings to stay off belligerent ships? Why did they actively ignore warnings not to sail in the war zone? Why did they actively trade ammunition and war goods to the Allies? Why did they loan substantial amounts of credit to the Allies? These are hardly the actions of a country staying "neutral."

I'd assert that Wilson was looking for a reason to enter the war and found it in the Lusitania. The moment Germany disrupted US trade by enacting the naval blockade was the moment the US was going to get involved. We've seen this throughout our nations history. The moment a country denies the US it's right to free trade and especially freedom of the sea, the US gets involved. More recently, when Iran threatened to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, the US sent a battlecruiser there within the week and they backed off. The quickest way to get the US into a war is to infringe upon it's right to trade.

Why else do I think Wilson is a scumbag? For one thing, if the United States had never gotten into WWI, things would have turned out much differently in Europe. Keep in mind that the German government at the time of WWI were not the same as the Nazi party that Adolf Hitler led. Germany had proven at the time to be strong leaders and should have been allowed to rule. Look at Germany now during the European financial crisis. They are the only nation that seems capable of leading Europe out of their financial crisis. I hope they leverage their lending abilities into a more central role in European rule. This was NOT our conflict. We did not have any beef with Germany but we decided to side with the Allies due to our history. If the US had never gotten involved, Germany would most likely not have lost in WWI. If Germany did not lose the war and were saddled with crippling debt and reparations, a leader like Adolf Hitler would not have risen to power. It took the financial crisis that hit Germany after the war to persuade people to turn to a more radical voice that promised the people their former greatness.

And of course, without WWII, there would be no forty year long Cold War. It's a lot of "what ifs" but I think we know enough facts about WWI to come to some of these conclusions.

Like Woodrow Wilson is some rogue who did this all on his own....He was an academic who would support the Federal Reserve Act amongst all the other progressive reforms. The only reason he became President was because Teddy Roosevelt (who was also a Progressive) split the party against Taft.

Who was Germany indebted to?

Ask your self.

 

[sillyputty]

The Jekyll Island Monster...

 

[boys noize]

There was no Axis. I think what you're referring to is the Central Powers, comprised of Germany, the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria, and Austria/Hungary. I don't believe the world would have been a worse place if Germany were allowed to win the war. Germany was a thriving economic power, highly industrialized, and it's leaders were not a bunch of evil tyrannical rulers (like Woodrow Wilson would paint them as.) If the United States had not intervened, it was almost surely going to be a German victory. The Russian empire was defeated and it was just a matter of time before the Allies ran out of resources. But again, the United States was always going to intervene due to the naval blockade and it's historic ties to both England and France.

I don't think it's too simplistic. These mis-steps by Woodrow Wilson and their consequences have been clearly documented. For example, I don't think that it's a far leap of faith to say that if Germany had won the Great War, that Hitler and the Nazi party would not have come into power two decades later due to the crippling economic policies leveled on Germany by the Allies.

 

[ruxxx]

Originally Posted by Toy Collector123

Originally Posted by SneakerHeathen

not a damn thing has changed either....all of our presidents have been scumbags every last one of them including the one presiding in office at the moment.

Son, keep it moving

What in the absolute hell.

 

[theone2401]

Originally Posted by Boys Noize

There was no Axis. I think what you're referring to is the Central Powers, comprised of Germany, the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria, and Austria/Hungary. I don't believe the world would have been a worse place if Germany were allowed to win the war. Germany was a thriving economic power, highly industrialized, and it's leaders were not a bunch of evil tyrannical rulers (like Woodrow Wilson would paint them as.) If the United States had not intervened, it was almost surely going to be a German victory. The Russian empire was defeated and it was just a matter of time before the Allies ran out of resources. But again, the United States was always going to intervene due to the naval blockade and it's historic ties to both England and France.

I don't think it's too simplistic. These mis-steps by Woodrow Wilson and their consequences have been clearly documented. For example, I don't think that it's a far leap of faith to say that if Germany had won the Great War, that Hitler and the Nazi party would not have come into power two decades later due to the crippling economic policies leveled on Germany by the Allies.

Lol mis-steps.

He did exactly what he was told.

Don't you think it is funny that the "evil tyrannical ruler" Woodrow Wilson painted Germany as came to power right after the war Woodrow Wilson "ended"

 

[boys noize]

Originally Posted by theone2401

Originally Posted by Boys Noize

There was no Axis. I think what you're referring to is the Central Powers, comprised of Germany, the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria, and Austria/Hungary. I don't believe the world would have been a worse place if Germany were allowed to win the war. Germany was a thriving economic power, highly industrialized, and it's leaders were not a bunch of evil tyrannical rulers (like Woodrow Wilson would paint them as.) If the United States had not intervened, it was almost surely going to be a German victory. The Russian empire was defeated and it was just a matter of time before the Allies ran out of resources. But again, the United States was always going to intervene due to the naval blockade and it's historic ties to both England and France.

I don't think it's too simplistic. These mis-steps by Woodrow Wilson and their consequences have been clearly documented. For example, I don't think that it's a far leap of faith to say that if Germany had won the Great War, that Hitler and the Nazi party would not have come into power two decades later due to the crippling economic policies leveled on Germany by the Allies.

Lol mis-steps.

He did exactly what he was told.

Don't you think it is funny that the "evil tyrannical ruler" Woodrow Wilson painted Germany as came to power right after the war Woodrow Wilson "ended"

There is a sick irony to it all, yes.

 

[theone2401]

Originally Posted by Boys Noize

Originally Posted by theone2401

Originally Posted by Boys Noize

There was no Axis. I think what you're referring to is the Central Powers, comprised of Germany, the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria, and Austria/Hungary. I don't believe the world would have been a worse place if Germany were allowed to win the war. Germany was a thriving economic power, highly industrialized, and it's leaders were not a bunch of evil tyrannical rulers (like Woodrow Wilson would paint them as.) If the United States had not intervened, it was almost surely going to be a German victory. The Russian empire was defeated and it was just a matter of time before the Allies ran out of resources. But again, the United States was always going to intervene due to the naval blockade and it's historic ties to both England and France.

I don't think it's too simplistic. These mis-steps by Woodrow Wilson and their consequences have been clearly documented. For example, I don't think that it's a far leap of faith to say that if Germany had won the Great War, that Hitler and the Nazi party would not have come into power two decades later due to the crippling economic policies leveled on Germany by the Allies.

Lol mis-steps.

He did exactly what he was told.

Don't you think it is funny that the "evil tyrannical ruler" Woodrow Wilson painted Germany as came to power right after the war Woodrow Wilson "ended"

There is a sick irony to it all, yes.

Why is it that the boogeymen the world is afraid of like the "socialists" and the "terrorists" all come from circumstances created by people labeling them boogeymen.

 

[ninjahood]

Originally Posted by rashi

Originally Posted by zapatohead408

How does this make Wilson a scumbag?

He is one of the best presidents the United States has ever had, much better than Barack Obama. Also so you guys don't get the wrong idea about Wilson he did not want to go to war, one of the main reasons for the U.S not entering the Great War until the last years.

Woodrow Wilson was a Banker %$@##. JP Morgan and Rockefeller OWNED this man.

bolded for emphasis.

this piece of !#** is da one that signed da federal reserve act into law, creating da Central bank & da Fed.... 

 

[Animal Thug]

Ruxxx wrote:

---

Originally Posted by Toy Collector123

SneakerHeathen wrote:

---

not a damn thing has changed either....all of our presidents have been scumbags every last one of them including the one presiding in office at the moment.

Son, keep it moving

What in the absolute hell.



Came in expecting to argue about WW's speech; leave unexpectedly disliking the south just a little bit more...

...

 

[kix4kix]

Originally Posted by zapatohead408

How does this make Wilson a scumbag?

He is one of the best presidents the United States has ever had, much better than Barack Obama. Also so you guys don't get the wrong idea about Wilson he did not want to go to war, one of the main reasons for the U.S not entering the Great War until the last years.

SN to post correlation at an all time high, you got sneakers for brains.

 

[dathbgboy]

Yea, dude was scum. Him, GB, and Australia are the reason we eventually ended up in WWII and the attack on Pearl Harbor. He def showed his %*# at the Paris Peace Conference

 

[the natural mystic]

Originally Posted by sillyputty

The Jekyll Island Monster...

Whoa dude! Thank you for this video. I watched the entire thing.

 

[heavenlee777]

Originally Posted by onewearz

Originally Posted by Toy Collector123

Son, keep it moving

 

[Lee And His Sneaks]

Originally Posted by SneakerHeathen

Originally Posted by Toy Collector123

Originally Posted by SneakerHeathen

not a damn thing has changed either....all of our presidents have been scumbags every last one of them including the one presiding in office at the moment.

Son, keep it moving

 I bet you only like Barack because of his ethnicity.

I bet you hate Barack because of his ethnicity.

 

[deeek]

Originally Posted by The Natural Mystic

Originally Posted by sillyputty

The Jekyll Island Monster...

Whoa dude! Thank you for this video. I watched the entire thing.

Ditto, this was really informative and easy to watch. Shared it with a lot of people hoping to spark an interest...

 

[Coupé It]

Originally Posted by Toy Collector123

Originally Posted by SneakerHeathen

not a damn thing has changed either....all of our presidents have been scumbags every last one of them including the one presiding in office at the moment.

Son, keep it moving

WTH???

 

[HEATHEN]

Originally Posted by Leebuttahz

Originally Posted by SneakerHeathen

Originally Posted by Toy Collector123

Son, keep it moving

 I bet you only like Barack because of his ethnicity.

I bet you hate Barack because of his ethnicity.

Nah, like I said, I feel that all our presidents have been scumbags. 
I don't hate anyone because of their ethnicity, nor for that matter their gender, sex, or sexual preference. That's not my style, I don't get down like that.

I'm an equal opportunity hater. 

 

[me no pass]

Originally Posted by DeeeK

Originally Posted by The Natural Mystic

Originally Posted by sillyputty

The Jekyll Island Monster...

Whoa dude! Thank you for this video. I watched the entire thing.

Ditto, this was really informative and easy to watch. Shared it with a lot of people hoping to spark an interest...

same here..love the way the broke it down for a simpleton like myself