Woodrow Wilson’s
Missionary Diplomacy
How did it influence America’s
actions in the Mexican Revolution?
Missionary Diplomacy
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Idealized by Woodrow Wilson
An unwritten addition to Monroe Doctrine
Targeted Latin American countries
Missionary Diplomacy
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Stated that American government has
responsibility to deny recognition to any
Latin American government that is viewed
as oppressive, undemocratic, or hostile to
U.S. interests
Prior to this policy, the U.S. recognized
any government that controlled a nation
Missionary Diplomacy
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Wilson’s desire to help Latin American
countries was based in Christian duty as
much as business obligations
American investments as well as
protecting American citizens lead Wilson
administration to interfere in Mexican
Revolution
The Mexican Revolution
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America had invested in oil wells, mines,
railroads, and ranches in Mexico under
Mexican military ruler Porfirio Diaz
Diaz was overthrown by peasants and
rebels lead by Francisco Madero
Madero overthrown and murdered by one
of his generals, Victoriano Huerta (1911)
American Response
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Wilson refused to recognize Huerta
government
“I will not recognize a government of
butchers”—Wilson
Wilson stated that the U.S. would not get
involved in revolution unless American
lives and/or property was threatened
America Response
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Group of American sailors detained in
Tampico, Mexico in 1914, although
released shortly after detainment
Wilson ordered troops to occupy Veracruz
During the invasion of American troops in
Veracruz, approximately 200 Mexicans and
18 Americans died
American Response
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Huerta government fell soon after
American occupation to Victoriano
Carranza, a Mexican Nationalist (1915)
America quickly recognized Carranza
government
This recognition angered many Mexicans,
including Francisco “Pancho” Villa
“Pancho Villa”
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General under
Carranza
Did not support rule
of Victoriano Carranza
Sought to undermine
Carranza government,
as well as get
revenge for U.S
support of Carranza
Villa outwits the U.S.
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Pancho Villa promised the U.S.
cooperation, but truthfully was angry that
U.S. recognized Carranza government
Villa killed American miners in Mexico and
raided New Mexico and killed 17
Americans (1916)
U.S. invaded Mexico to capture Villa, but
he eluded the U.S. troops
Villa outwits the U.S.
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U.S troops, led by General John Pershing,
were drawn deep into Mexico by the
elusive Villa—he was never caught
American presence upset Mexican citizens
and Carranza government alike and the
Mexican government called for U.S.
withdrawal
U.S. didn’t withdraw from Mexico until
beginning of U.S. involvement in WWI