Briefly describe Woodrow Wilson's "Moral Imperialism."

Woodrow Wilson's "Moral Imperialism" refers to a foreign policy approach that he advocated during his presidency, which lasted from 1913 to 1921. This approach was characterized by the belief that the United States had a moral obligation to spread democracy and promote moral progress in the world, particularly in Latin America and other regions where American interests were at stake.

Wilson's moral imperialism was a departure from the more traditional and aggressive forms of imperialism that had been practiced by European powers, which often involved the outright conquest and exploitation of territories. Instead, Wilson believed that the U.S. should lead by example and use its influence to encourage political and social reform in other nations, with the goal of creating stable, democratic governments that would be more amenable to U.S. interests and values.

This policy was evident in Wilson's actions in Latin America, where he frequently intervened in the affairs of nations such as Mexico, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Wilson's administration justified these interventions on the grounds of promoting stability and democracy, but critics have argued that they were often driven by a desire to protect American economic interests and to prevent European powers from gaining a foothold in the region.

Wilson's moral imperialism also had a significant impact on the U.S. approach to World War I. Wilson initially kept the United States neutral, but eventually led the country into the war with the aim of making the world "safe for democracy." His post-war vision, outlined in his Fourteen Points, called for self-determination for all nations, the establishment of a League of Nations to foster international cooperation, and an end to secret treaties and aggressive militarism.

While Wilson's idealistic approach to foreign policy had some positive effects, it also faced criticism for being hypocritical and paternalistic, as it sometimes resulted in military occupation and control over other nations rather than true self-determination. Moreover, Wilson's policies did not always align with his professed ideals, as seen in his administration's record on race relations and civil liberties within the United States.