Fourteen Points

In August 1914, what was known as the Great War (now World War I) began, mostly in Europe.  In April 1917, the United States, under President Woodrow Wilson, entered the Great War on the side of the French, British and Russians against Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.   

On January 8, 1918 (105 years ago) Wilson made a speech (known as the Fourteen Points) outlining what he believed would be a strategy for ending the Great War and creating a lasting peace for the world.  He set out specific goals he wanted to achieve. 

If the United States soldiers were going to risk their lives, Wilson wanted to establish exactly what they were fighting for. Through this speech, he became the only leader of the countries fighting in the Great War to publicly outline his country's war goals.

Summary of the Fourteen Points:

1. No more secret agreements between countries. Diplomacy shall be open to the world.
2. International seas shall be free to navigate during peace and war.
3. There shall be free trade between the countries who accept the peace.
4. There shall be a worldwide reduction in weapons and armies by all countries.
5. Colonial claims over land and regions will be fair.
6. Russia will be allowed to determine its own form of government. All German troops will leave Russian soil.
7. German troops will evacuate Belgium and Belgium will be an independent country.
8. France will regain all territory including the disputed land of Alsace-Lorraine.
9. The borders of Italy will be established such that all Italians will be within the country of Italy.
10. Austria-Hungary will be allowed to continue to be an independent country.
11. The Central Powers will evacuate Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania leaving them as independent countries.
12. The Turkish people of the Ottoman Empire will have their own country. Other nationalities under the Ottoman rule will also have security.
13. Poland shall be an independent country.
14. A League of Nations will be formed that protects the independence of all countries no matter how big or small.

A League of Nations was formed but without the United States participation, which caused it to be weak.  The United States Senate blocked its participation by failing to ratify the treaty establishing the League.

The promise of the Fourteen Points helped to bring the Germans to peace talks at the end of the Great War in November 1918. However, the actual results of the Treaty of Versailles (ending the war) 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.

In my opinion, the Treaty of Versailles crippled Germany and led directly to the rise of the Third Reich and World War II.

In his speech, Wilson said regarding Germany, "We do not wish to injure her or to block in any way her legitimate influence or power."  He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 for his efforts to establish peace in Europe and the whole world.