An affair of honor Woodrow Wilson and the Occupation of Veracruz Robert E Quirk analysis

His naivety led him to oppose armed intrusion, yet he ordered the occupation military into Latin America countries more regularly than any other American president. Although Wilson former, a political science professor, would recognize only ethical governments where the leaders reigned with the accord of the governed, he recognized Carranza, who expanded power through uprising and held no elections at the time of his acknowledgment. Quirk portrays Wilson and his secretary of state, William Jennings Bryan, as self-righteous, ignorant of foreign affairs, and distrustful of the career diplomatic in the foreign service. Such a situation in Washington partially explains why a small incident in Mexico became a casus belli and led to the occupation of Veracruz by the 7000 united states marines and soldiers.

The incident at Tampico in April 1914, where American sailors were briefly jailed then released after an apology by the Mexican commander, is well detailed in this book. When the diplomacy failed, the united states resorted to armed force. The two chapters on the invasion and occupations of Veracruz are a neat synthesis of a great quantity of comprehensive information regarding military actions, health measures, and legal, financial and administrative glitches. The United States forces were evacuated some even months after their entry into the Mexica port. Quirk's evaluation of the occupation is summed up in one sentence, “Within a few weeks it was difficult to tell that the Americans had ever occupied the city. ” Quirk also points out that they left without having received the controversial flag salute, nor did the occupation achieve its purpose of preventing arms shipments to the unrecognized government of Huerta.