who urged the passing of the league of nations and wrote the famous fourteen points
Woodrow Wilson
Though the administration had achieved the desired result , it was a pyrrhic victory , as Carranza 's lieutenant , Pancho Villa , presented a more serious threat in 1916 . In early 1916 Pancho Villa raided Columbus , an American town in New Mexico , killing eighteen Americans and causing an enormous nationwide demand for his punishment . Wilson ordered Gen. John Pershing and 4000 troops into northern Mexico to capture Villa , which they were unable to do even as Pershing continued his pursuit deep into Mexico . President Carranza then pivoted against the Americans and accused them of a punitive invasion . However tensions subsided and bilateral negotiations began . The issue had become a possible war with Germany so Wilson ended Pershing 's diversion into Mexico in February 1917 . In January , Germany 's foreign minister sent Mexico the Zimmermann Telegram inviting it to join in war against the United States . Washington learned of the Zimmermann proposal on February 23 and détente with Mexico was essential . Wilson accorded Carranza diplomatic recognition in April , after Congress declared war on Germany . Biographer Arthur Link calls it Carranza 's victory -- his successful handling of the chaos inside Mexico , as well as over Wilson 's policies . Mexico was now free to develop its revolution without American pressure . Pershing became a national figure . Wilson selected him to command the American forces being sent to fight in France . Miners
Though the administration had achieved the desired result , it was a pyrrhic victory , as Carranza 's lieutenant , Pancho Villa , presented a more serious threat in 1916 . In early 1916 Pancho Villa raided Columbus , an American town in New Mexico , killing eighteen Americans and causing an enormous nationwide demand for his punishment . Wilson ordered Gen. John Pershing and 4000 troops into northern Mexico to capture Villa , which they were unable to do even as Pershing continued his pursuit deep into Mexico . President Carranza then pivoted against the Americans and accused them of a punitive invasion . However tensions subsided and bilateral negotiations began . The issue had become a possible war with Germany so Wilson ended Pershing 's diversion into Mexico in February 1917 . In January , Germany 's foreign minister sent Mexico the Zimmermann Telegram inviting it to join in war against the United States . Washington learned of the Zimmermann proposal on February 23 and détente with Mexico was essential . Wilson accorded Carranza diplomatic recognition in April , after Congress declared war on Germany . Biographer Arthur Link calls it Carranza 's victory -- his successful handling of the chaos inside Mexico , as well as over Wilson 's policies . Mexico was now free to develop its revolution without American pressure . Pershing became a national figure . Wilson selected him to command the American forces being sent to fight in France . Miners