Simone Lawson
Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points, outlined in a speech to Congress in 1918, were designed to provide a framework for lasting world peace. The points included the abolition of secret treaties, a reduction in armaments, freedom of the seas, and the removal of economic barriers between nations. Wilson's vision for world peace was based on the concept of moral diplomacy, which he had proposed during his 1912 presidential campaign. Moral diplomacy, as defined by Wilson, involved the promotion of democratic governments and values, as well as the economic harm of non-democratic countries. Wilson's Fourteen Points reflected his belief in the importance of democracy and self-determination, and his desire to spread American values and morality on a global scale. While his plan for world peace was not immediately enacted, it laid the groundwork for the formation of international political conglomerates and the United Nations, solidifying the US as a key player in international affairs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Abolition of secret treaties | No more secret treaties that pulled the world into war |
| Dismantling the imperial order | Dismantle the imperial order by opening up colonial holdings to self-rule |
| General disarmament | All countries, especially Germany and Austria, give up their armed forces |
| Fair treatment of revolutionary Russia | Fair treatment of revolutionary Russia as the "acid test" of peace |
| Freedom of the seas | Freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters |
| Removal of economic barriers | Remove economic barriers between nations |
| Promise of "self-determination" | Promise of "self-determination" for oppressed minorities |
| World organization | Formation of an international organization for world peace |
| Neutrality | The United States remained neutral |
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What You'll Learn
Abolition of secret treaties
Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points, outlined in a speech to Congress on January 8, 1918, were designed to provide a blueprint for world peace and a "new diplomacy" following World War I. The points reflected Wilson's commitment to moral diplomacy, which sought to spread American values and democracy on the global stage.
One of the key aspects of Wilson's Fourteen Points was the call for the "Abolition of Secret Treaties." This point, also referred to as "Open Covenants of Peace, Openly Arrived At," aimed to bring an end to the practice of secret agreements between nations, which Wilson believed was one of the underlying causes of World War I.
Wilson argued that diplomacy should be conducted openly and transparently, with no private international understandings. In his speech, he stated:
> "I. Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at, after which there shall be no private international understandings of any kind but diplomacy shall proceed always frankly and in the public view."
This point was a direct response to the secret treaties of the European Allies during the war. Wilson believed that secret treaties undermined trust and contributed to the outbreak of conflict. By abolishing them, he hoped to prevent future wars and promote international cooperation.
The abolition of secret treaties was also linked to Wilson's broader goal of self-determination for oppressed minorities and the dismantling of imperial orders. Secret treaties often served the interests of powerful nations and could be used to justify colonial rule or the suppression of independence movements. By bringing diplomacy out into the open, Wilson sought to create a more level playing field where all nations, regardless of size or power, could have a voice and where colonial holdings could eventually move towards self-rule.
While Wilson's call for the abolition of secret treaties was not immediately enacted, it did set a precedent for more open and transparent diplomacy in the future. It also contributed to the long-term shift in American foreign policy, from isolationism towards internationalism, with the United States eventually joining the United Nations and becoming a key global actor in the postwar world.
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Reduction of armaments
Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points, outlined in a speech to Congress on January 8, 1918, were designed as a blueprint for world peace and the rebuilding of the postwar world. The points were later used as the basis for peace negotiations at the end of World War I.
The Fourteen Points were an extension of Wilson's approach to foreign policy, known as moral diplomacy. This approach sought to spread American values and democracy, with the belief that they were universally applicable and superior to all other alternatives. Wilson's administration was determined to base its policies on moral principles rather than the "selfish materialism" of its predecessors.
One of the key points addressed the reduction of armaments, specifically calling for "adequate guarantees given and taken that national armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety." This point reflected Wilson's desire for general disarmament after World War I, with a particular focus on Germany and Austria disarming first.
The reduction of armaments was linked to Wilson's broader goal of achieving world peace and preventing future conflicts. By reducing the number of weapons and military forces, nations would be less likely to engage in militant nationalism and ethnic hatreds, which Wilson believed were the underlying causes of World War I.
Additionally, the reduction of armaments was also connected to Wilson's call for self-determination and the adjustment of colonial claims. By reducing the military power of imperial nations, formerly colonized nations would have a better opportunity to achieve self-governance and independence. This aspect of the Fourteen Points was particularly relevant to the dismantling of European empires and the creation of new states, such as the evacuation of Central Powers from Russia and the creation of an independent Polish state.
In conclusion, the reduction of armaments was a crucial aspect of Wilson's Fourteen Points, reflecting his commitment to moral diplomacy and his vision for a more peaceful and just world order. While the Fourteen Points were not immediately enacted, they laid the groundwork for future international cooperation and the formation of global organizations dedicated to maintaining peace and security.
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Freedom of the seas
Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points outlined his vision for the world, centred around moral diplomacy. The second of these points was the "absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters, alike in peace and in war". This freedom was to be enjoyed by all nations, except in cases where the seas were closed in whole or in part by international action for the enforcement of international covenants.
This point on freedom of the seas was connected to Wilson's broader goal of world peace and providing smaller, occupied nations with the opportunity for self-governance. For example, Wilson proposed that Serbia and Poland, both landlocked countries, should be accorded free and secure access to the sea. This was to be guaranteed by international covenants. More broadly, Wilson's points aimed to dismantle the imperial order by opening up colonial holdings to self-rule.
Wilson's stance on freedom of the seas can also be seen in the context of his foreign policy more generally, which was based on moral principles rather than the "selfish materialism" of his predecessors. Wilson's belief in American exceptionalism and his desire to spread American values globally also influenced his approach to diplomacy. This belief in the universality of American values and their superiority to all other alternatives informed Wilson's approach to foreign relations and his Fourteen Points.
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Removal of economic barriers
Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points outlined his vision for the world, centred around moral diplomacy. The third of these points calls for the removal, as far as possible, of all economic barriers and the establishment of equality in trade conditions among all the nations consenting to peace. This point is a direct call for free trade and the reduction of tariffs and other economic restrictions between nations.
Wilson's belief in spreading American values and his commitment to democracy are evident in this point. He saw democracy gaining strength throughout the world and wanted to encourage the process. By removing economic barriers, Wilson aimed to create a level playing field for all nations, regardless of their size or power. This would allow smaller nations, particularly those that had been oppressed or occupied during the war, to have equal access to global markets and the opportunity to prosper economically.
The removal of economic barriers was also intended to foster international cooperation and interdependence. By breaking down trade restrictions, Wilson envisioned nations becoming more interconnected and economically dependent on each other. This interdependence could help prevent future conflicts, as nations would have a vested economic interest in maintaining peaceful relations.
Additionally, this point can be seen as a rejection of the selfish materialism that Wilson believed had characterised the foreign policies of his predecessors. Instead, he advocated for a "new diplomacy" based on open covenants and transparency, as outlined in the first point of his Fourteen Points speech.
However, it is important to note that Wilson's idealism was not fully realised. While his Fourteen Points laid the groundwork for future international cooperation, including the formation of the United Nations, many of his proposals, including the removal of economic barriers, faced opposition and were not immediately enacted in US foreign policy. Nonetheless, Wilson's vision contributed to a shift from isolationism to internationalism, cementing the US's role as a global actor in international affairs.
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Self-determination
Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points, outlined in a speech to Congress on January 8, 1918, were designed to provide a framework for lasting world peace. The principles of self-determination and democracy were central to this vision.
Wilson's concept of "moral diplomacy" was based on the belief that the United States had a moral obligation to promote democracy and certain moral principles worldwide. This included the idea that governments must exist by the "consent of the governed" and that all peoples had a right to self-determination, or the ability to choose their own form of government and leaders through democratic elections. Wilson's stance on self-determination was particularly evident in his refusal to recognise the legitimacy of undemocratic regimes, such as the government of Victoriano Huerta in Mexico, which had come to power through a coup.
In his Fourteen Points speech, Wilson proposed the "free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims", with the interests of both native peoples and colonists considered. This was to ensure that peoples in regions such as the Balkans, Poland, and the Turkish Ottoman Empire would eventually have the opportunity for self-rule. Additionally, Wilson called for the removal of economic barriers between nations and the establishment of equal trade conditions, which would further empower oppressed minorities and promote self-determination.
Wilson's commitment to self-determination extended beyond his Fourteen Points. For instance, in 1916, the Democratic-controlled Congress promised the residents of the Philippine Islands independence, and the following year, Puerto Rico achieved territorial status, with its residents becoming U.S. citizens.
Despite Wilson's efforts, his vision of self-determination and moral diplomacy faced opposition and was not fully realised. However, his ideas laid the groundwork for future international cooperation, including the formation of the League of Nations and the United Nations, and influenced long-lasting neoliberal and globalist policies in the U.S.
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Frequently asked questions
Wilson's 14 points were a detailed plan for world peace, based on the concept of ""moral diplomacy". They included the abolition of secret treaties, a reduction in armaments, freedom of the seas, the removal of economic barriers between nations, and the establishment of an international organisation for world peace.
Moral diplomacy was a form of diplomacy proposed by US President Woodrow Wilson during his 1912 election campaign. It was based on the idea that foreign policy should reflect American values and bring "right principles" to the world. Wilson believed that the US had a moral obligation to support democratic governments and economically harm non-democratic countries.
Wilson's 14 points were an extension of his moral diplomacy. They were based on the belief that democracy was gaining strength throughout the world and that the US should play a leading role in promoting democracy and peace. The 14 points were designed to spread democracy and create international political conglomerates to work towards common goals.
