woodrow wilson. as with all our speaker series programs, the views expressed by the speaker may or may not reflect the views of the woodrow wilson presidential library. we welcome tonight's, speaker and look forward to the spirited conversation about an important and pivotal time our nation's history. none of our programs including the speaker series are possible. the support of our donors by supporting the people, you ensure that rigorous research happens here and that history is examined openly. your donation enriches understanding, encourages thoughtful and honors the spirit of inquiry essential to preserving in retain our shared history. one last bit of housekeeping. tonight's program will include a q&a at the end for friends on zoom. please your questions in the q&a function at the bottom of your screen. and we will ask as many of them as time allows. we wouldn't want those attending in person to be the only ones having fun. we are pleased. welcome. tonight, christopher cox, the woodrow wilson p

woodrow wilson, why? a very question. it's especially a good because wilson as policymaker was basically a failure. his great policy initiative was to be one of the major architects of the political settlement. after world war one, and the chief goal of that settlement was to prevent another war. yet 20 years later, world war two broke out. moreover, woodrow wilson believe that the key to preserving peace was the internal organization that he chiefly designed known as the league of nations. but he was not able persuade the united states senate to give the united the legal basis for joining the league of nations. the united states did not join. so as a policymaker was a failure. so how can be considered a titan? it's because of political ideas that he placed on international stage. ideas about the proper organization of the world, international politics and internal national economics. these ideas became closely identified with them that they came to be known wilsonian ism, wilsonian ism consists of the idea national self-

what wilson was trying to do during woodrow wilson's presidency. the united states, the greatest of the world's great powers. how should that power be used? some americans of wilson's day believed that the power should not be used at all. such americans like wilson's former secretary of state william jennings bryan, wanted the united states to set a moral example to the rest of the world, but otherwise remain apart from that rest of the world. other americans of wilson's day wanted the united states to use its new power the way other great powers had used their power before by building great navies, amassing colonial empires, and generally asserting america's national interests on america's national terms. this was the view of wilson's fiercest republican adversaries like theodore roosevelt and henry cabot lodge. wilson almost among the leading figures of his day, recognized something that brian roosevelt and lodge could not or would not see the something he recognized was a truth that has wisely guided the united states from the time of franklin de

review perhaps the president signs back to time. 44 years ago when he marched as a cadet before a woodrow wilson, not realizing what a pattern destiny was to. we born in. the united states naval academy band, followed closely by the brigade of midshipmen men who will soon lead the united states navy. in this time of watchful peace. and for the first time ever to appear in inaugural parade, the cadets, the newly constituted air force academy, the backbone of our vital defensive air arm. and a public display on the latest weapons in our defense arsenal. the guided missiles, awesome and foreboding in appearance yet comforting in the knowledge that they stand as deterrent to aggression from any source weapons of defense relying upon a retaliatory so devastating that aggression will serve no purpose. new jersey's blow reminding everyone of the fight against polio was awarded the title most unique georgia. the ike's favorite golfing retreat in. augusta, georgia. the best design award was captured by flower with this very beautiful and the usual pretty girls girls. liberty and strength through the cons

review perhaps the president signs back to time. 44 years ago when he marched as a cadet before a woodrow wilson, not realizing what a pattern destiny was to. we born in. the united states naval academy band, followed closely by the brigade of midshipmen men who will soon lead the united states navy. in this time of watchful peace. and for the first time ever to appear in inaugural parade, the cadets, the newly constituted air force academy, the backbone of our vital defensive air arm. and a public display on the latest weapons in our defense arsenal. the guided missiles, awesome and foreboding in appearance yet comforting in the knowledge that they stand as deterrent to aggression from any source weapons of defense relying upon a retaliatory so devastating that aggression will serve no purpose. new jersey's blow reminding everyone of the fight against polio was awarded the title most unique georgia. the ike's favorite golfing retreat in. augusta, georgia. the best design award was captured by flower with this very beautiful and the usual pretty girls girls. liberty and strength through the cons

let's speak to sung—yoon lee, global fellow at the woodrow wilson international center for scholars.p—to—date on the situation with regards to the president and his arrest. he and his team say that the authorities have not got the legal premise in which to arrest him.— legal premise in which to arrest him. ~ ., ., ., arrest him. well, the old adage that history _ arrest him. well, the old adage that history repeats _ arrest him. well, the old adage that history repeats itself - that history repeats itself first as a tragedy and then as farce is being borne out in south korea. the declaration of martial law came as a shock to the vast majority of the south korean people here, and in its aftermath, 75% or more of south koreans stood against martial law and against president yoon suk yeol. we have seen in recent weeks however president yoon suk yeol�*s approval ratings have gone up to 40%, which is higher than his average ratio rate during his presidency over the past 2.5 years, so complex and very passionate overflowing within earshot of very loud protest in front of the presidential r

joining me live from seoul is sung—yoon lee, global fellow at the woodrow wilson international centreme. we have seen extraordinary scenes in seoul, we know that an arrest warrant for the impeached president is set to expire monday — what do you forsee happening then? the element it is an extra ordinary situation. in the post 20th—century world order, and importantly in the post—world war ii order, no importantly in the post-world war ii order,— war ii order, no sitting president _ war ii order, no sitting president in _ war ii order, no sitting president in a - war ii order, no sitting l president in a democracy war ii order, no sitting - president in a democracy has been arrested — but then again, no head of state and in advance democracy has declared martial law. so this was a colossal political blunder on the part of the president, and now the opposition party that enjoys a super majority in the parliament is... supporting apprehending and humiliating those who handle his fate. pardon me, the constitutional court of south korea, which has six months to decide whether he's removed

he's a global fellow at the woodrow wilson international center for scholars. + how do you see this playingg developments in the last few minutes, with police calling off this attempt to arrest the president. is that it now? is this arrest warrant not going to be executed? what are your thoughts? the not going to be executed? what are your thoughts?— are your thoughts? the arrest warrant is _ are your thoughts? the arrest warrant is in _ are your thoughts? the arrest warrant is in effect _ are your thoughts? the arrest warrant is in effect until- are your thoughts? the arrest warrant is in effect until nextl warrant is in effect until next monday, the 6th.o so i'm sure there'll be another attempt in due course. the political fortunes of south korea have not been kind to south korean heads of state, especially after they leave office. one has been assassinated. one committed suicide under crimming ininvestigation. four have served —— criminal investigation. four have served time in jail. investigation. four have served time injail. but this is unprecedented — the attempt by the law enforceme

annita: joining us now on "the context," is the senior analyst from the woodrow wilson center of scholars have you here. why has greenland been catapulted into the headlines the way that it has? >> thank you for having me. the interest in greenland is really focused around two things, and that is security and economics. though seem to be the two major drivers of the trump administration's interest in that. i think there it is really important to understand the actual goals they have in mind for both of those objectives, and then to have an agnostic assessment of the best way to achieve those. annita: so the tree future question first. >> from the strategic standpoint, there is an interest as greenland is working to gain full sovereignty from the kingdom of denmark, to make sure that they are remaining treaty-bound and militarily connected to the united states. we are on a good track with that. i would say especially russia's full-scale invasion of ukraine in 2022 has really shown the limits of the ways that countries can receive support if they are not in the alliance. as greenland has be

i'm a historian i can tell you that since woodrow wilson that racist president who showed birth of a nation in the white house who fired every black person in the federal government that stone cold redneck racist ever since woodrow wilson ever since the first world war. there has never been a time when american public has been so negative towards. israel and has had any appreciation for palestine. this is this is a very important this is important it has not changed the elites. it has not changed the government. it has not changed the disgusting legacy media. it hasn't changed the donors who run our own our run our. but it has changed opinion. it will not change back. they cannot sell the old lousy wormy goods land without a people, a people without land making desert bloom. only democracy. the middle east. that stuff doesn't work. and it's partly because work that's been done over many, many years. but it's by edward said ibrahim, beloved by a whole host, people who've been working, who have been working for decades. but it's also largely thanks to these students, and that's the fir

trump's actions echo president woodrow wilson's then unprecedented segregation of federal offices.r, just guiding policy. but that policy led to blacks being segregated or just summarily dismissed from federal positions nationwide. for example, in 1914, wilson required a photo from all federal job applicants to make it easier for racial screening, and those black workers who managed to keep their jobs, they were often subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment. in an open letter to wilson, w.e.b. du bois wrote, quote, we are told that one colored clerk who could not actually be segregated on account of the nature of his work, has consequently had a cage built around him to separate him from his white companions of many years. take a second to let that sink in a cage, wilson, later defending his racist policies to a group of black professionals, saying in part, quote, segregation is not humiliating, but a benefit and ought to be so regarded by you gentlemen. in 1948, president harry truman signed an executive order banning segregation in federal civil service, but the damage was

earlier i spoke to sung—yoon lee, a globalfellow at the woodrow wilson international center for scholarsrder, and importantly in the post—world war ii order, no sitting president in a democracy has been arrested. but then again, no head of state in an advanced democracy has declared martial law. so this was a colossal political blunder on the part of president yoon. and now the opposition party that enjoys a supermajority in the parliament is very overzealous, according to many people, in trying to physically apprehend and humiliate the president. his fate really rests on the decisions, the deliberations, of the supreme court — pardon me, the constitutional court of south korea, which has six months to decide whether yoon is removed from office or reinstated. so there's great political drama unfolding each day in seoul. and of course, we know that he has his security forces around him. do you see the potential of him having to be apprehended by force? well, so far it's been fortunate, a good thing, that there has been no blood spilt on the night of the martial law declaration or a couple

the other thing is think about going back to woodrow wilson. where was the support for the posting is, where were the past that didn't exist? there wasn't none. where was the support for us? that was robust, among angelic goals in the jewish community. among politicians from wilson right up to the last decade or 2, there was no support whatsoever, anywhere in american public opinion for the past tense, they did not exist. now that's changed. most americans oppose this war. democrats, republicans, independence. most americans want to stop us on shipments to israel. most americans did tests, nothing. yeah. i mean, there's poll after poll to pull the chose, this is a solid trend over the better part of the year. this is new, the politicians have still not, you know, begin to begin to bring this into their calculus. that that's super interesting, the shift toward a kind of public critique of nothing. yeah. who obviously can be helpful. yeah. but is there a danger in the focus being on the particular regime as opposed to the system instruction so ab

construction of this building didn't start until 1907 but as early as woodrow wilson's passing in 1924uneral of fdr was at the white house but there was a recognition that they wanted to have an opportunity for the country to mourn at the national speed role as i think this eye to body fat for all people. >> host: is at the point of the state funeral as well, as a country as one mourns the passing of a former president? >> guest: i believe so. it can mean a lot of different things to different people. in particular there is a recognition even if the president is no longer in office they were the former head of state and so it makes sense to some sort of service for them in the nation's capital on behalf of the american people in recognition that even if they don't currently hold those powers they did at one time and that is a tremendous burden and service and sacrifice. >> host: we spoke the other day when the former president, the late president came to washington for the final time. you spoke about the state funerals, who gets to decide, plans them? remind our viewers. >> guest: ever

as early as woodrow wilson's passing in 1924, there started to be services on the grounds.lways funerals. the funeral of wilson was at his home. the funeral of fdr was in the white house. there was recognition you wanted to have an opportunity for the country to mourn. the national cathedral is designed to embody that for all people. host: is that the point of a state funeral? the country mourns the passing of a former president? guest: i believe so. it can mean different things to different people. there is recognition even if the president is not in office, they were the former head of state so it makes sense to have a service for them in the nations capital on behalf of the people in recognition even if they don't currently hold powers, they did at one time, and that is a tremendous burden, service and sacrifice. host: we spoke when the former president, the late president came to washington for the final time. you spoke about these state funerals. who gets to decide, who gets to plan them? guest: every element of these funerals, commemorations of the last six days, some

walter lipman, early 1900s was a progressive, as progressive as any of us and he was hired by woodrow wilson run a campaign to get america to support the war and run on a piece platform. it worked so well he was like oh my god. he was shocked and appalled at himself. >> he writes this great book called public opinion. >> he says basically i think americans are too dumb to do democracy. >> or too gullible or easily swayed and then he talks about this great line where he says you know, my sympathies are with the citizen who has to try to -- it is my full-time job to have opinions on a range of issues that citizens have and i cannot do it. so how is anyone supposed to do it? >> and john dewey who was at columbia teachers college was riding articles against his point of view saying we just need a good education system and a good press, good journalism and it will work out, but both of these institutions are crumbling right now. and again and again we see the same thing. i remember neil postman, i got to know him pretty well. >> he wrote a famous book called amusing ourselves to death about publi

talking of how unpopular some of us were back in 2007, 2009 i was a fellow across the street at the woodrow wilsoncenter trying to write a book on iran's influence in latin america. we actually publish that with other authors in 2009. my argument back then was ortega and the party felt a deep roots with extremism and take with groups such as hezbollah this was 2009. this created of course a problem in nicaragua because it was wishful thinking alongside the private sector the one to believe that ortega and the party had reinvented themselves. i think that also some american institutions and american policymakers believed the fact that nicaragua had and continues to have a free trade agreement, the u.s. administration had to do efforts to bring ortega into the club of democracies, important role in trying to bring ortega into the liberal democracy network. as i suspected and a continued to do so in this particular case, the deep connections with terrorism, the deep connection ideological vision of the sandinista movement against the u.s. in particular and with use and is for people in russia and chi