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The plan expressed of Wilsonian idealism in foreign policy, that is,  "[[Wilsonianism]]."  The goal was to identify the main underlying causes of war in the entire world, and to eliminate or minimize them. The first five points were broad in scope: open diplomacy; freedom of the seas; the beating down of economic barriers; the reduction of armament; and the adjustment of colonial  claims on a fair basis. There followed Wilson's formulas for applying justice to specific countries or areas. The 14th point was a declaration in favor of an Association of Nations (or [[League of Nations]]) to resolve unexpected future conflicts and thus guarantee world peace.  In three followup addresses, Wilson set forth elaborations, clarifications and new point, bringing the total proposals to twenty-three.<ref>Bailey (1947) pp 23ff</ref>  

The plan expressed of Wilsonian idealism in foreign policy, that is,  "[[Wilsonianism]]."  The goal was to identify the main underlying causes of war in the entire world, and to eliminate or minimize them. The first five points were broad in scope: open diplomacy; freedom of the seas; the beating down of economic barriers; the reduction of armament; and the adjustment of colonial  claims on a fair basis. There followed Wilson's formulas for applying justice to specific countries or areas. The 14th point was a declaration in favor of an Association of Nations (or [[League of Nations]]) to resolve unexpected future conflicts and thus guarantee world peace.  In three followup addresses, Wilson set forth elaborations, clarifications and new point, bringing the total proposals to twenty-three.<ref>Bailey (1947) pp 23ff</ref>  

Wilson sought  a just and lasting peace; no bartering of ethnic groups; the satisfaction of legitimate national aspirations; honorable international dealing; the destruction of arbitrary militarism; and territorial adjustments in the interests of the peoples concerned, or "self determination." He was vague on the rights of minority groups in areas where self-determination would be controlled by ethnic majorities.

Wilson sought  a just and lasting peace; no bartering of ethnic groups; the satisfaction of legitimate national aspirations; honorable international dealing; the destruction of arbitrary militarism; and territorial adjustments in the interests of the peoples concerned, or "self determination." He was vague on the rights of minority groups in areas where self-determination would be controlled by ethnic majorities.

The promise of national self-determination aroused audiences in Ireland, Eastern and Central Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and remains a powerful idea in the 21st century.

The promise of national self-determination aroused audiences in Ireland, Eastern and Central Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and remains a powerful idea in the 21st century.

===Contents===

===Contents===

In summary the points are:

In summary the points are:

XIII. Establishment of an independent Poland with access to the sea <br />

XIII. Establishment of an independent Poland with access to the sea <br />

XIV. General association of the nations – a multilateral international association of nations to enforce the peace (League of Nations)

XIV. General association of the nations – a multilateral international association of nations to enforce the peace (League of Nations)

 

==Background==

==Background==

The details of Wilson's January 8, 1918, 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. Edward M House. Their job was to study Allied and American policy in virtually every region of the globe and analyze economic, social, and political facts likely to come up in discussions during the peace conference. The team began its work in secret and in the end produced and collected nearly 2,000 separate reports and documents plus at least 1,200 maps.  

The details of Wilson's January 8, 1918, 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. Edward M House. Their job was to study Allied and American policy in virtually every region of the globe and analyze economic, social, and political facts likely to come up in discussions during the peace conference. The team began its work in secret and in the end produced and collected nearly 2,000 separate reports and documents plus at least 1,200 maps.  

In the speech, Wilson directly addressed what he perceived as the causes for the world war by calling for the abolition of secret treaties, a reduction in armaments, an adjustment in colonial claims in the interests of both native peoples and colonists, and freedom of the seas. Wilson also made proposals that would ensure world peace in the future. For example, he proposed the removal of economic barriers between nations, the promise of “self-determination” for those oppressed minorities, and a world organization that would provide a system of collective security for all nations. Wilson’s 14 Points were designed to undermine the Central Powers’ will to continue and to inspire the Allies to victory. The 14 Points were broadcast throughout the world and were showered from rockets and shells behind the enemy’s lines.

In the speech, Wilson directly addressed what he perceived as the causes for the world war by calling for the abolition of secret treaties, a reduction in armaments, an adjustment in colonial claims in the interests of both native peoples and colonists, and freedom of the seas. Wilson also made proposals that would ensure world peace in the future. For example, he proposed the removal of economic barriers between nations, the promise of “self-determination” for those oppressed minorities, and a world organization that would provide a system of collective security for all nations. Wilson’s 14 Points were designed to undermine the Central Powers’ will to continue and to inspire the Allies to victory. The 14 Points were broadcast throughout the world and were showered from rockets and shells behind the enemy’s lines.

==Paris Peace Conference 1919==

==Paris Peace Conference 1919==

The speech was widely hailed by public opinion in the U.S. and Europe, and drove a wedge between the German leaders and the German people, who welcomed Wilson's formula. The Fourteen Points thus played a major role in Germany's surrender.  

The speech was widely hailed by public opinion in the U.S. and Europe, and drove a wedge between the German leaders and the German people, who welcomed Wilson's formula. The Fourteen Points thus played a major role in Germany's surrender.  

The Fourteen Points made Wilson the hero of the world as the victors gathered in Paris to write the terms that were to be imposed upon defeated Germany. Although Wilson in fact gained most of his points, he was dismayed to realize that Britain, France, and Italy wanted revenge and humiliation for Germany. They wanted huge cash reparations so that Germany would pay the entire cost of the war, including veterans' benefits. The French government demanded high reparations from Germany to pay for the past and future costs of the war to France. Britain, as the great naval power, did not want freedom of the seas.  Wilson compromised with [[Clemenceau]], [[Lloyd George]], and many other European leaders during the Paris Peace talks to ensure that most of the points, and especially the fourteenth point, the League of Nations, would be established.

The Fourteen Points made Wilson the hero of the world as the victors gathered in Paris to write the terms that were to be imposed upon defeated Germany. Although Wilson in fact gained most of his points, he was dismayed to realize that Britain, France, and Italy wanted revenge and humiliation for Germany. They wanted huge cash reparations so that Germany would pay the entire cost of the war, including veterans' benefits. The French government demanded high reparations from Germany to pay for the past and future costs of the war to France. Britain, as the great naval power, did not want freedom of the seas.  Wilson compromised with [[Clemenceau]], [[Lloyd George]], and many other European leaders during the Paris Peace talks to ensure that most of the points, and especially the fourteenth point, the League of Nations, would be established.

 

==League of Nations==

==League of Nations==

Wilson’s capstone point calling for a world organization that would provide some system of collective security was incorporated into the [[Treaty of Versailles]]. This organization would later be known as the League of Nations. Though Wilson launched a tireless missionary campaign to overcome opposition in the U.S. Senate to the adoption of the treaty and membership in the League, the treaty was never adopted by the Senate, and the United States never joined the League of Nations. Wilson would later suggest that without American participation in the League, there would be another world war within a generation.

Wilson’s capstone point calling for a world organization that would provide some system of collective security was incorporated into the [[Treaty of Versailles]]. This organization would later be known as the League of Nations. Though Wilson launched a tireless missionary campaign to overcome opposition in the U.S. Senate to the adoption of the treaty and membership in the League, the treaty was never adopted by the Senate, and the United States never joined the League of Nations. Wilson would later suggest that without American participation in the League, there would be another world war within a generation.

* [[Woodrow Wilson]]

* [[Woodrow Wilson]]

* [[Versailles Conference]]

* [[Versailles Conference]]

==External links==

==External links==

* Wilson, Woodrow. [http://www.usa-presidents.info/speeches/fourteen-points.html ''President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points (1918)''].

* Wilson, Woodrow. [http://www.usa-presidents.info/speeches/fourteen-points.html ''President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points (1918)''].