Fourteen Points

During his war address to the Congress on April 2nd, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson made a statement about the need arising for the participation of the United States of America in the war to ensure the betterment of democracy. After a year of doing that, the sentiment still remained very strong in the minds of the people. Hence, President Wilson then gave a speech about the participation of America in the war to Congress on January 8th, 1918. It was that time when he introduced the fourteen points to the world.  

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The fourteen points came to be known as some of the most important guidelines that would shape the history of the United States of America after way. This article provides a discussion about the important details of Wilson’s fourteen points. 

Fourteen Points Text And Significance

The creation of Wilson’s fourteen points was basically done in such a way that it was supposed to be seen as certain guidelines in order to rebuild the world in a better way after the war would’ve ended. Several statements such as freedom of trade and freedom of seas were made in Wilson’s fourteen points. The concept situated around national self-discrimination was also proposed in the points. 

If achieved properly, the creation of new states as well as the dismantling of different European empires would have been possible. One of the most important points of the total 14 ones would be the last 14th point which stated that there should be a general association of nations. These nations would offer certain mutual guarantees that would provide political independence as well as territorial integrity to the smaller and greater nations altogether. Wilson’s fourteen points events and statistics state that when Wilson made his way to Paris in 1918, he was basically determined that the 14 Points along with the League of Nations would definitely have an inclusion in the different peace settlements. 

Wilson’s Fourteen Points: Understanding The Agenda 

One of the most important reasons for the United States to have an entry into the First World War was that the German-made an announcement of having unrestricted submarine warfare along with the subsequent sinking that happened of the ships containing citizens of America. However, the aims of President Wilson went beyond the times of war as well as the defense strategies of the U.S. maritime. According to the President, the main objective of the United States of America should be to vindicate all the principles of justice and peace in the world. 

According to Wilson’s fourteen points events and statistics, President Wilson sketched the idea and vision that he had in order to shape the world in a better way after the war would have ended. He didn’t just want to have a new and certain balance of power but he wanted to create secure and just peace. This is what led to the creation of these points or guidelines that we know today as Wilson’s fourteen points. 

Wilson’s 14 Points Summary

• Open diplomacy and no secret treaties

• During the war as well as peace, economic trade on the seas should be free

• Equal conditions for trade 

• Decrease in the armaments amongst all the nations 

• Adjustment of colonial claims 

• Evacuating the central powers from the region of Russia and allowing the country to define independence on its own 

• Evacuation and restoration of Belgium 

• Returning of all the different French territories along with the Alsace-Lorraine region

• Readjustment of Italian borders 

• An opportunity for self-determination to be provided to Austria-Hungary 

• Redrawing all the borders of regions in Balkan as well as the creation of Montenegro, Serbia, and Romania

• Creation of a particular Turkish state that would guarantee trade for free in the regions of Dardanelles 

• Creating an independent Polish state

• Creating a League of Nations

Presentation of Wilson’s Fourteen Points To Congress 

After making these guidelines and recommendations, Wilson then made a presentation of the entire program consisting of these important fourteen points in the joint session that happened for the Congress in the month of January 8th, 1918. About 8 out of these 14 different points were seen as a treatment for the different and specific territorial issues that happened amongst the different combatant nations. Apart from that, about 5 out of the other 6 points dealt with the freedom of trade, freedom of seas, open covenants, and much more. These were basically considered to be some general principles that would ensure the world is peaceful and just again. However, the 14th addition to Wilson’s Point was the one that was very interesting. Wilson proposed the creation of a League of Nations that would guarantee political independence as well as provide some territorial integrity for the smaller as well as the larger states. 

Wilson’s idealism definitely pervades these fourteen points, however, he also had some very practical objectives as well. These fourteen points came to be known as some of the landmark guidelines for the enlightenment of several nations when it came to international relations.