Woodrow Wilson S Fourteen Points

¶ … speech in history, Woodrow Wilson gave his now famous Fourteen Points Speech on January 8, 1918. In this speech he outlined fourteen elements he felt were integral for a lasting peace. These elements were meant to establish ethical aims for America's participation in the arduous World War I. In writing the speech, Wilson hoped to encourage the end of hostilities between Central powers. "The Fourteen Points in the speech were based on the research of the "Inquiry," a team of about 150 advisers led by Colonel Edward M.

House, Wilson's foreign policy advisor, into the topics likely to arise in the anticipated peace conference." (Newworldencyclopedia.org) While there was an initial failure on the plan, there was a notable impact from Wilson's actions. Instead of peace talks, there was intensification of effort on Germany's part in the European western front. While this was alarming, after ten months, the world witnessed the German Army concede, appealing to Wilson and initiating a series of peace talks with the foundation consisting of the Fourteen Points. On November 11, 1918, they declared an armistice.

As an observer at the time could see, the impact of Wilson's speech was evident, even though it took longer to affect outcomes than anticipated. From Wilson's Fourteen Points or fourteen main areas, eight of these concerned particular geopolitical problems that could only see resolution after the war. The other six described the kind of general ideology necessary for peace.

One of the most impactful points in Wilson's speech is the liberty of the seas, an end to secret negotiations and treaties, establishing free and equal trade, granting self-government to various peoples in the Balkans and Central Europe, arms reduction, the welcoming of a remade Soviet Russia into the global community, independence for Poland and Turkey, and building a forum of countries to guarantee peace and freedom for all.

Seeing as this was a way to establish order and maintain liberty, Wilson made sure to provide the basis from which to build a lasting peace. Going back to the entirety of Wilson's Fourteen Points, they were often interpreted as unique for several reasons. The main being the speech was unprecedented. This was the first time a major world leader declared such grand and loft goals and objectives meant to establish peace.

Not only that, but these points were in a sense, a way to educate other world leaders on what could be achieved in regards to peace, freedom, and independence. Secondly, the Fourteen Points were created from a foundation of righteousness and morality. (MacMillan) Wilson's points, unlike the others, were meant to guide people instead of simply aiming to gain the spoils of war or vengeance. This was shown by Wilson not wanting to punish the Central powers and Germany for their acts of aggression.

And finally, Wilson's Fourteen Points asked for worldwide cooperation to secure lasting, true peace. Peace was Wilson's main concern even when entering the war. Yes Wilson had to deal with the immediate threat to American sovereignty and shipping, but he also went in thinking he had to establish and maintain peace. He, unlike the European powers, could act as an impartial statesman and attend the peace accords.

The European powers in Wilson's eyes could not be counted to maintain peace as he believed they would always fight over colonial rights and land. So Wilson attended the peace conference, even though he faced protests from his friends and political allies. Wilson was the first American president to do such a thing. On December 1918, Wilson arrived in Brest, France and was warmly welcomed by hundreds of thousands of Parisians that cheered his name and celebrated his arrival.

Numerous people throughout Western Europe saw him as a hero and a savior. Going to other cities like Rome and London, there too he received a warm welcome. He even met with the acting Pope of the time, Pope Benedict XV, becoming the first American president to do so. While he stayed away from battle sites, he made other visits and celebrated Allied victories. Going back to Paris, he drafted a formal treaty that would end the war. This was known as the Paris Peace Conference.

While he dealt with other political leaders, he also deal with the fact that the others wanted money and land from Germany. This was something Wilson did not agree with as he saw the dissolution of Germany as the potential cause for another war. Wilson's Fourteen Points represents the highpoint of past progressivist foreign policy. Ironically, it was also seen as the weakest point in progressivist foreign policy. Yes Wilson's idealism prevailed in.