Moral diplomacy

Moral diplomacy was a policy put in place during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. The president hoped to influence and control other countries through economic pressure, only supporting Latin American governments that were democratic or otherwise supported United States interests. By refusing to support non-democratic countries, he hoped to hurt them economically and thus force them into submission. Commenting on this foreign policy, President Wilson stated that "the force of America is the force of moral principle."

Moral diplomacy had both its pros and its cons. It increased America's soft power, and as America's soft power grew, so did its approval from other countries. These countries saw the United States as a strong but benevolent world power. The policy advanced American economic interests in foreign countries, resulting in economic growth. It also helped with the advancement of human rights in Latin America. However, this policy implied an eventual use of force, negating the progress previously made through peaceful negotiation. Other cons included the taking and assimilating of foreign governments and the overprotecting of business interests.