LAD #31 Wilson's Fourteen Points

Summary of Wilson's Fourteen Points, as delivered in Congress on January 8, 1918:

Wilson first discusses how the Central Powers are willing to "discuss the objects of the war and the possible basis of a general peace." However, he states that while Russia presents a definite statement and program of principles for which to make peace, the other powers seemed more concerned with merely retaining all of the territory that they had conquered. The Russian representatives broke off negotiations.

According to Wilson, the peace of the world relies upon the ability of the powers to negotiate peace out in the open, and not behind closed doors. Furthermore, he asserts that the poor and desperate Russians, under attack of Germany, desire to know the war aims of the Central Powers. He hopes that in some way America and the Central Powers could help the Russians to attain liberty and peace.

Wilson expresses again the importance of the "processes of peace" being created in the open with no secret understandings. He says, "The day of conquest and aggrandizement is gone by; so is the day of secret covenants..."

He then claims that, in ending the war, "we" (is he referring to America, or to the Central Powers?) only demand that "the world be made fit and safe to live in; and particularly that it may be made safe for every peace-loving nation which...be assured of justice and fair dealings by other peoples of the world as against force and self-aggression."

He then presents his Fourteen Points, which include, "Open covenants of peace" (Point 1), "Freedom of the seas" (2), "The removal of economic barriers among consenting nations" (3), "The reduction of national armaments" (4), and "Adjustment of colonial claims" (5), general adjustments of national boundaries (6-13) (with the theory of Self-determination being discussed in relation to the people of Austria-Hungary in 10), and finally Wilson's concept of a League of Nations "for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity" for all nations formed under the 14th article.

Wilson also makes it clear that he does not want to punish Germany, but instead to grant it "a place of equality among the peoples of the world".

He concludes be recognizing the principle of justice that is common in all of his Fourteen Points, and the fact that there is no longer doubt in the concrete terms of his war aims. In conclusion, he asserts that the people of the United States stand behind these principles.