Wilson’s Fourteen Points

The Fourteen Points were Woodrow Wilson’s plan for a lasting peace Wilson’s Fourteen Points The war ended on November 11, 1918, with an armistice. The kaiser, or emperor, had been overthrown and the new German government asked for peace. In , 1919, the Allies negotiated a peace treaty. The Fourteen Points were Woodrow Wilson’s plan for a lasting peace

Woodrow Wilson He believed that there should be no winners or losers in the war. Wilson gave a speech in which he described the Fourteen Points. He felt the future of the world depended on treating Germany and the other Central Powers fairly. Wilson went to promote his Fourteen points; but he was not convincing

Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points I. Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at (No secret treaties among nations) II. Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas (Freedom of the seas for all) III. The removal, so far as possible, of all economic barriers and the establishment of an equality of trade conditions among all the nations consenting to the peace and associating themselves for its maintenance. (Free and Open trade) IV. Adequate guarantees given and taken that national armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety (Reduction of weapons) V. A free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims, based upon a strict observance of the principle that in determining all such questions of sovereignty the interests of the populations concerned must have equal weight with the equitable claims of the government whose title is to be determined (Self government to the people in Central Europe)

Wilson’s Fourteen Points Summary/Analysis: The next eight points dealt with boundary changes. Included SELF-DETERMINATION (self-rule) for small countries. Groups that claimed distinct ethnic identities were to form their own nation-states or decide for themselves to what nations they would belong.

Woodrow Wilson’s 14 points VI. The evacuation of all Russian territory and such a settlement of all questions affecting Russia as will secure the best and freest cooperation of the other nations of the world in obtaining for her an unhampered and unembarrassed opportunity for the independent determination of her own political development (Russia was allowed to choose whatever government they wanted) VII. Belgium, the whole world will agree, must be evacuated and restored, without any attempt to limit the sovereignty which she enjoys in common with all other free nations. (The restoration of Belgium territories in Germany before the war

Woodrow Wilson’s 14 points VIII. All French territory should be freed and the invaded portions restored, and the wrong done to France by Prussia in 1871 in the matter of Alsace-Lorraine, which has unsettled the peace of the world for nearly fifty years, should be righted, in order that peace may once more be made secure in the interest of all. (France shall have all their land that was taken away during the war back and restored; including Alsace-Lorraine)

Woodrow Wilson’s 14 points IX. A readjustment of the frontiers of Italy should be effected along clearly recognizable lines of nationality. X. The peoples of Austria-Hungary, whose place among the nations we wish to see safeguarded and assured, should be accorded the freest opportunity to autonomous development. (Independence for various national groups in Austria-Hungary) XI. Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro should be evacuated; occupied territories restored; (the restoration of the Balkan nations and free access to the sea for Serbia)

Woodrow Wilson’s 14 points XII. The Turkish portion of the present Ottoman Empire should be assured a secure sovereignty, but the other nationalities which are now under Turkish rule should be assured an undoubted security of life and an absolutely unmolested opportunity of autonomous development (The people in Turkey should have a say in their future and the free passage of the ships of all nations through the Dardanelles) XIII. An independent Polish state should be erected (Poland becomes an independent country, including access to the sea)

Wilson’s Fourteen Points Summary/Analysis: The fourteen point called for the creation of an international organization designed to help nations settle disputes peacefully. It would provide a forum for nations to discuss and settle their grievances without having to resort to war.

Article 14 of Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen points XIV. A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike. League of Nations to be created.

Opposing Views at the Peace Conference Great Britain; France; and Italy wanted to punish Germany. Great Britain & France wanted reparation or money for their nations’ losses in the war. France had suffered two invasions by Germany in 44 years. Italy wanted control of Austrian-held territory.

Allies Reject Wilson’s Plan Wilson was outvoted on much of it. Also; the Senate refused to approve the treaty because of the League of Nations. They were afraid that joining the League would mean the U.S. would lose its sovereignty or the ability to act on its own and be committed to go to war any time another nation was attacked.

Treaty of Versailles Unfortunately; the world was not ready for Wilson’s vision. The final peace; secured by the Treaty of Versailles; was harsh and punitive. And even the United States could not agree to Wilson’s League of Nations; his 14th Point.