Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters, alike in peace and in war

Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters, alike in peace and in war

Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, was a strong advocate for the principle of absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters, alike in peace and in war. This principle was a key component of Wilson's foreign policy and played a significant role in shaping his approach to international relations during his presidency.

Wilson believed that freedom of navigation was essential for promoting global trade, ensuring the free flow of goods and services, and maintaining peace and stability in the international system. He saw restrictions on navigation as a threat to economic prosperity and a potential cause of conflict between nations. Wilson argued that all nations should have the right to navigate the seas without interference from other countries, regardless of whether they were at peace or at war.

Wilson's commitment to freedom of navigation was put to the test during World War I, when German submarines began targeting and sinking civilian ships, including those from neutral countries. Wilson strongly condemned these actions and called for an end to unrestricted submarine warfare, which he saw as a violation of the principle of freedom of navigation. In response, Wilson issued a series of diplomatic protests and eventually declared war on Germany in 1917, citing the need to protect the rights of neutral nations to navigate the seas without fear of attack.

After the war, Wilson played a leading role in the negotiations that led to the creation of the Treaty of Versailles and the establishment of the League of Nations. Wilson's vision for a new world order included a commitment to freedom of navigation as a fundamental principle of international law. The League of Nations Covenant, which Wilson helped draft, included provisions guaranteeing the rights of all nations to navigate the seas in times of peace and war.