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The '''Fourteen Points''' was a major policy position by U.S. President [[Woodrow Wilson]], expressed in a speech to Congress on January 8, 1918.  It was a peace plan designed to rally opponents of the war in Germany, and it succeeded in that main goal. Points 4-14 were largely realized in fact by 1922. Parts of the first three points were adopted in the long run, and even in the 21st century are a basis of world diplomacy.

The '''Fourteen Points''' was a major policy position by U.S. President [[Woodrow Wilson]], expressed in a speech to Congress on January 8, 1918.  It was a peace plan designed to rally opponents of the war in Germany, and it succeeded in that main goal. Points 4-14 were largely realized in fact by 1922. Parts of the first three points were adopted in the long run, and even in the 21st century are a basis of world diplomacy.

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>  

Once more, as repeatedly before, the spokesmen of the Central Empires have indicated their desire to discuss the objects of the war and the possible basis of a general peace. Parleys have been in progress at Brest-Litovsk between Russian representatives and representatives of the Central Powers to which the attention of all the belligerents have been invited for the purpose of ascertaining whether it may be possible to extend these parleys into a general conference with regard to terms of peace and settlement.  

Once more, as repeatedly before, the spokesmen of the Central Empires have indicated their desire to discuss the objects of the war and the possible basis of a general peace. Parleys have been in progress at Brest-Litovsk between Russian representatives and representatives of the Central Powers to which the attention of all the belligerents have been invited for the purpose of ascertaining whether it may be possible to extend these parleys into a general conference with regard to terms of peace and settlement.  

The Russian representatives presented not only a perfectly definite statement of the principles upon which they would be willing to conclude peace but also an equally definite program of the concrete application of those principles. The representatives of the Central Powers, on their part, presented an outline of settlement which, if much less definite, seemed susceptible of liberal interpretation until their specific program of practical terms was added. That program proposed no concessions at all either to the sovereignty of Russia or to the preferences of the populations with whose fortunes it dealt, but meant, in a word, that the Central Empires were to keep every foot of territory their armed forces had occupied -- every province, every city, every point of vantage -- as a permanent addition to their territories and their power.  

The Russian representatives presented not only a perfectly definite statement of the principles upon which they would be willing to conclude peace but also an equally definite program of the concrete application of those principles. The representatives of the Central Powers, on their part, presented an outline of settlement which, if much less definite, seemed susceptible of liberal interpretation until their specific program of practical terms was added. That program proposed no concessions at all either to the sovereignty of Russia or to the preferences of the populations with whose fortunes it dealt, but meant, in a word, that the Central Empires were to keep every foot of territory their armed forces had occupied—every province, every city, every point of vantage—as a permanent addition to their territories and their power.  

It is a reasonable conjecture that the general principles of settlement which they at first suggested originated with the more liberal statesmen of Germany and Austria, the men who have begun to feel the force of their own people's thought and purpose, while the concrete terms of actual settlement came from the military leaders who have no thought but to keep what they have got. The negotiations have been broken off. The Russian representatives were sincere and in earnest. They cannot entertain such proposals of conquest and domination.  

It is a reasonable conjecture that the general principles of settlement which they at first suggested originated with the more liberal statesmen of Germany and Austria, the men who have begun to feel the force of their own people's thought and purpose, while the concrete terms of actual settlement came from the military leaders who have no thought but to keep what they have got. The negotiations have been broken off. The Russian representatives were sincere and in earnest. They cannot entertain such proposals of conquest and domination.  

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[[Category: World War I]]

[[Category:World War I]]