The Fourteen Points

1. The Fourteen Points WoodrowWilson

2. Woodrow Wilson Wilson’s life started in Staunton, Virginia. Wilson was the 28th president of the United States and he created the League of Nations. His speech “The Fourteen Points” was given to congress on January 8, 1918. The speech was given to lay out points of how World Peace could be possible.

3. Accomplishments Wilson was the President of Princeton University from 1902-1910. He governed New Jersey from 1911-1913. He was elected the 28th president of the United States from 1913-1921, and he was the creator of the League of Nations.

4. Historical Perspective Wilson led the nation during World War I. On January 8, 1918 he wrote “The Fourteen Points”. Wilson wanted peace, so he laid out fourteen points to show everyone that world peace was possible. The details of the speech were based on reports generated by “The Inquiry,” a group of about 150 political and social scientists organized by Wilson’s adviser and long-time friend, Col.

5. Impact Wilson made a huge attempt to keep America out of War. He fought for the League of Nations, which won him the Nobel Peace Prize award, in 1919.Wilson’s plan for peace failed, but his leadership showed the others around him that if more people thought the way he did, world peace would be possible.

6. It will be our wish and purpose that the processes of peace, when they are begun, shall be absolutely open and that they shall involve and permit henceforth no secret understandings of any kind. The day of conquest and aggrandizement is gone by; so is also the day of secret covenants entered into in the interest of particular governments and likely at some unlooked-for moment to upset the peace of the world. It is this happy fact, now clear to the view of every public man whose

7. thoughts do not still linger in an age that is dead and gone, which makes it possible for every nation whose purposes are consistent with justice and the peace of the world to avow nor or at any other time the objects it has in view. We entered this war because violations of right had occurred which touched us to the quick and made the life of our own people impossible unless they were corrected and the world secure once for all against their recurrence. What we demand in this war, therefore, is nothing peculiar to ourselves.

8. 14 points • Given on January 8, 1918. • Declared that World War I was being fought for a moral cause and calling for postwar peace in Europe. • Points 1-5 attempted to eliminate the immediate causes of the war: imperialism, trade restrictions, arms races, secret treaties, and disregard of nationalist tendencies. • Points 6-13 attempted to restore territories occupied during the war and set post-war boundaries, also based on national self-determination. • In the 14th Point, Wilson envisioned a global organization to protect states and prevent future wars.

9. Main Ideas The main ideas were… • Reducing the chance of future wars by reducing arms • Nations to settle disputes diplomatically instead of by war • Increased international trade, increased freedom of people • Safety in international travel & trade

10. “We wish her only to accept a place of equality among the peoples of the world -- the new world in which we now live -- instead of a place of mastery.”

11. Main Points “It will be our wish and purpose that the processes of peace, when they are begun, shall be absolutely open and that they shall involve and permit henceforth no secret understandings of any kind.” This quote is stating that no secrets should be kept from anyone. If we want peace, we cant hide things, because secrets lead to inequality.

12. “I. Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at, after which there shall be no private international understandings of any kind but diplomacy shall proceed always frankly and in the public view.” This quote is the first point of Wilson’s speech. It implies that treaties should be prohibited. Wilson wants to eliminate any sections of treaties that are secret, because he thinks it should all be able to be viewed by the public.

13. “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.” This quote is the 14th point. It states that permanent peace should become realistic. The world should realize that war is pointless and there no good enough purpose to keep going.

14. “We cannot be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We stand together until the end. “ This quote states that everyone is equal no matter what interests they have. It says that we should all act as one. Wilson wanted peace and equality

15. “We have no jealousy of German greatness, and there is nothing in this program that impairs it. We grudge her no achievement or distinction of learning or of pacific enterprise such as have made her record very bright and very enviable.” Wilson is saying that Germany has nothing that we don’t already have. So, therefore there is no reason to fight. m

16. “You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” -Woodrow Wilson