Fourteen Points: Main Idea
Fourteen Points: Main Idea
Wilson's Fourteen Points imagines a postwar world in which nations respect each others' borders, act in good faith, show respect to former enemies—basically, it's a big kumbaya circle without the s'mores and campfire. Sounds nice.
It was an ambitious and broad vision of the future, a portrait of peace delivered before the world war ever had even ended. No wonder some leaders criticized Wilson for being too idealistic.
Once a supporter of neutrality and American isolationism, he switched his tone with the Fourteen Points, advocating a unified front of the world's governments. He hoped such an organization, through common agreements, could maintain the hard-won peace.
Though his message didn't prevent a world war sequel (WWII: Bigger, Longer, and in Two Theaters), this vision of international relations still persists.
Questions
- Why does Woodrow Wilson describe the free world as united against Imperialism—the concept—rather than against Germany—the country?
- What characteristics of international relations did the Fourteen Points seek to change?
- How might Wilson's imagined "general association of nations" differ from the European military alliances that existed before World War I?
- Will there always be a need for military strength to make the world secure?
Chew On This
Woodrow Wilson's vision of international unity set a high standard for the postwar world.
Wilson's speech suggests modernizing international relations and replacing secretive alliances between monarchies with open agreements between free governments.
Quotes
Quote #1
The day of conquest and aggrandizement is gone by. (Intro.2)
Wilson starts off the speech with some rhetoric about bygone days. He and his advisers saw World War I as the end of pre-modern Europe, with its competing monarchies, aristocracies, and empires. And all of that nonsense was seriously outdated as the planet lurched into the second decade of the 20th century.
Quote #2
We see very clearly that unless justice be done to others it will not be done to us. (Intro.7)
To prevent another war, Wilson thought the peace needed to be equal. In other words, you couldn't just have the victors lording over the losers. Nothing makes you want to punch someone in the face (or start another conflict) like the winner chanting "Nyah, nyah, nyah: you lost."
Quote #3
A free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims, based upon a strict observance of the principle that in determining all such questions of sovereignty the interests of the populations concerned must have equal weight with the equitable claims of the government whose title is to be determined. (V.1)
This section is often cited as an example of Wilson's idea for "self-determination," which means allowing conquered people to have a say in their new government. He hoped this would bring about an end to imperialism. (Hey: it pretty much worked.)
Quote #4
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. (XIV.1)
This was the big idea behind the League of Nations: everybody working together to protect each other. Also: campfire guitar, sing-alongs, and ice cream socials.
Quote #5
We have no jealousy of German greatness, and there is nothing in this programme that impairs it. (Conclusion.5)
Wilson might not have had any jealousy of German greatness, but the leaders of the other Allied nations were definitely intent on impairing Germany. (It's a lot easier to be chill about "German greatness" when you're an entire ocean away from Germany, tbh.)