On January 8, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson gave a speech to Congress that outlined Fourteen Points for peace and the end to World War I. Wilson wanted lasting peace and for World War I to be the "war to end all wars."
President Woodrow Wilson from the Pach Brothers
Leading up to Wilson's Speech
The United States entered World War I on the side of the Allies on April 6, 1917. However, the U.S. entered the war reluctantly. Unlike many European nations, the U.S. wasn't fighting over territory or in revenge for past wars. Wilson wanted the end of the war to bring out lasting peace for the world. He gathered together a number of advisors and had them put together a plan for peace. This plan became the Fourteen Points.
Purpose of the Fourteen Points
The main purpose of the Fourteen Points was to outline a strategy for ending the war. He set out specific goals that he wanted to achieve through the war. If the United States was going to fight in Europe and soldiers were going to lose their lives, he wanted to establish exactly what they were fighting for. Through this speech and the Fourteen Points, Wilson became the only leader of the countries fighting in the war to publicly outline his war goals.
Summary of the Fourteen Points
No more secret agreements between countries. Diplomacy shall be open to the world.
International seas shall be free to navigate during peace and war.
There shall be free trade between the countries who accept the peace.
There shall be a worldwide reduction in weapons and armies by all countries.
Colonial claims over land and regions will be fair.
Russia will be allowed to determine its own form of government. All German troops will leave Russian soil.
German troops will evacuate Belgium and Belgium will be an independent country.
France will regain all territory including the disputed land of Alsace-Lorraine.
The borders of Italy will be established such that all Italians will be within the country of Italy.
Austria-Hungary will be allowed to continue to be an independent country.
The Central Powers will evacuate Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania leaving them as independent countries.
The Turkish people of the Ottoman Empire will have their own country. Other nationalities under the Ottoman rule will also have security.
A League of Nations will be formed that protects the independence of all countries no matter how big or small.
What did other leaders think?
The leaders of the other Allied Nations, including David Lloyd George of Britain and Georges Clemenceau of France, thought that Wilson was being too idealistic. They were skeptical as to whether these points could be accomplished in the real world. Clemenceau of France, in particular, did not agree with Wilson's plan for "peace without blame" for Germany. He fought for, and got, harsh reparation penalties against Germany.
Influence and Results
The promise of the Fourteen Points helped to bring the Germans to peace talks at the end of the war. However, the actual results of the Treaty of Versailles were much harsher against Germany than the Fourteen Points. The treaty included a "Guilt Clause" blaming Germany for the war as well as a huge reparation sum that Germany owed the Allies. These differences were insisted upon by the French because their economy was largely destroyed by the Germans during the war.
Interesting Facts about the Fourteen Points
President Wilson's advisors for the plan were called the "Inquiry." They included around 150 academics and were led by diplomat Edward House.
President Wilson was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 for his efforts in establishing peace in Europe and around the world.
In Wilson's speech, he said of Germany that "We do not wish to injure her or to block in any way her legitimate influence or power."
In the speech, Wilson referred to World War I as the "final war for human liberty."
