The 14 Points Plan by Woodrow Wilson - Essay Example

? “THE 14 POINTS PLAN BY WOODROW WILLSON” (Your teacher’s due 1 Introduction Fourteen points were first outlined in the speech of Woodrow Wilson, who was the president of United States. This speech was given to American Congress in January 8, 1918. This session was conducted to create assurance in the country that Great War was fought to create peace and moral in Europe. Citizens of Europe liked Wilson’s intervention on political grounds but his allied colleagues were little skeptical about Wilson’s idealism. It was a 10 minutes speech before Armistice with Germany. These fourteen points became a basis for the peace programme. However Treaty of Versailles had little connection with these fourteen points and was not ratified by the US senate. On October 16, 1918, an interview was conducted by President Woodrow Wilson and William Wiseman. This interview was the basis of acceptance of these fourteen points by German Government. A negotiation report was also made on these fourteen points. These fourteen points were also accepted by Italy and France. After the session Britain signed acceptance to all the points except freedom of sea due to the condition of allies. These fourteen points are based on the research of inquiry. This speech included many principles of progressivism which promoted domestic reforms in US and translated then into foreign policy (Mulder, 71). This fourteen point speech is the only statement which aims to focus on wars as compared to any other nation fighting in World War I. Some nations tried to give indicators in relation to their aims, but majority of nations tried to keep their war goals private. This speech also reacted to Vladimir Lenin’s Decree on Peace in October 1917; in it Russia made an immediate proposal of withdrawal of war and promotes peace and freedom, which was further compromised by territorial annexations. 1.2 Fourteen points The first five points of fourteen points focuses on international concerns, while the others refer to territorial questions. The fourteen points of Woodrow Wilson are described below: Open diplomacy There should be open peace in the nations, which means there should not be any private international understanding among nations. Open diplomacy should be promoted in order to be frank with the citizens and to understand public views. Freedom of the seas There should be absolute freedom to navigate on seas and territorial waters. It should be available in both the cases i.e. wars and peace. However, while enforcing international covenants it can be closed wholly or partly. But this can be done only in case of international actions and practices. Removal of economic barriers All economic barriers should be removed and a sense of equality should be created among all nations. There should be peace among all nations. Reduction of armaments National ornaments should be greatly reduced in order to ensure domestic safety in the nations. A guarantee should be given for the reduction of armaments. Adjustment of colonial claims There should be enhancement of open minded and free adjustment of colonial claims. It should strictly follow the principle of identifying sovereignty in relation to the interest of citizens. People should be given equal weight age with the colonial claims of government. Conquered territories in Russia There should be a migration in Russian territory. All issues affecting Russia must be resolved, so that they can work on the basis of cooperation with other nations of the world. This will create an unrestricted and blatant opportunity for the nation in order to be independent. It should be able to identify its own national policies and political developments. Russia should be invited to enter as a free nation, making its own choices and beliefs. In spite of invitation, all kind of assistance should be given to this nation in order to fulfill its desires and needs. This help if given to Russia, will lead to test the nations goodwill and understanding their needs. It will differ from the nations own interest and intelligence. Preservation of Belgian sovereignty Belgium should be restored and evacuated. This should not affect the sovereignty, which is common among all nations. Belgium being one of the free nations enjoys sovereignty in common. This practice will help to create confidence in nation laws, which are determined by the government on the basis of their relationship with one another. In case if this act is not imposed the whole structure of international law will be flawless. Restoration of French territory French territory should be free and all invaded portion must be restored. The matter of Alsace- Lorraine, which is present between Prussia and France in 1871, for around fifty years is still unsolved. This issue must be solved firstly in order to restore the French territory. This will create security and peace among all nations. Redrawing of Italian frontiers A readjustment should be done in the frontiers of Italy. It should clearly recognize the various lines of nationality. Division of Austria-Hungary Among various nations, peoples of Austria- Hungary needs to be given assurance and safeguarded. They should be given a free opportunity for independent development. Redrawing of Balkan boundaries All occupied territories should be restored. Serbia, Rumania and Montenegro must be evacuated. Serbia should be given security and freedom to enter the sea. There should be an international grantee of independence in political and economic systems. A friendly counsel of relationship should be built among various Balkan states on the basis of historically established lines of nationality and allegiance. There should be a territorial integrity among various states of Balkan. Limitations on Turkey Present Ottoman Empire of Turkey should be given a surety in order to secure their sovereignty. But all other nations which are under the rule of turkey should be given surety of their life. They should be given an opportunity for independent development. All the ships must be permanently allowed to venture on Dardanelles and all the nations should be given international guarantees. Establishment of an independent Poland An independent state should be made and it should include all the territories which are inhabited by Polish population. Their territorial integrity, economic and political independence must be guaranteed by international covenant. They should also be given security and freedom to enter the sea. Association of nations This is one of the last of the fourteen points which is also based on a broader concept. It is one of the favorite points of Wilson. An association of nation must be formed in relation to specific covenants. The main purpose of this should be to guarantee political independence and territorial integrity in order to make all state similar irrespective of its size (Snell, 365). These fourteen points were distributed by the government worldwide mainly through propagandas issued by American Committees for public information. Millions of pamphlets and copies of Wilson’s plan were distributed in the plains of Germany and in Allied nations. 1.3 Reaction to fourteen points British and French were not satisfied with Wilson’s plan. They had a view that the impact of German military was high than that of United States. Both of them wanted to take such steps through which aggression in relation to Germany can be prevented. Influence on the Germans to surrender Copies of these fourteen points were also dropped behind the German lines. This was done to encourage central powers to surrender on the basis of just settlement. In result of these practices a note was sent to Wilson on October 1918, by the prince of Germany, in which he requested for peace negotiation and agreement on the basis of these fourteen points. This speech was made without any coordination of Wilson’s counterparties. These fourteen points became the basis for German surrender at the end of the First World War. Wilson's speech vs. Treaty of Versailles In 1919, Germany occupied Paris and widows and pensions of wounded soldiers. This was subjected to be paid by the end of 1981. Germany is also deprived of air force. Its army included 100,000 men. The difference between Wilson’s honorable peace offer for German empire and the final Treaty of Versailles created a sense of anger in Germany. On the last day of World War I, there had not been one single battle on German soil. In late 1914, Russian army failed to overcome East Prussia. Due to this reason the final treaty became in suspect for Germany (Arthur, 10). Allies condition Allies agreed to accept the fourteen points of Wilson on the bases of two reservations i.e. In relation to the point 2- Measure demanded by Britain. They compelled that delegates should not be committed to provide guarantee in relation to the freedom of sea. In point 8- French insisted on the provision for German evacuation in relation to French territories. This should be interrupted by collection of compensation in case if any damage occurs due to civil wars. However, Wilson accepted both of these reservations and finally forwarded the plan to German government on November 5th. Nobel Peace Prize In 1919, Wilson was awarded a noble peace prize for his efforts of peace making. He also stimulated movements of independent around the world including the movement conducted on March 1st in Korea. 1.4 Conclusion Wilson has focused on the fact that rectification of wrong and right is included in the practices of government and people should stay together without any impartiality. One cannot be separated on the basis of interest and different purposes. All nations should stand together till the end. In order to achieve this one should keep on fighting, until it is achieved. The only way through which all desires can be fulfilled is eliminating the provocations of war and through these fourteen points Wilson has cleared this problem. He focused that there should not be any secret between the nations. Everything should be shared. There should be freedom in relation to seas. Trade barriers among nations should be reduced. There should be reduction in armaments. Adjustment should be done in relation to colonial claims considering the interest of inhabitants and colonial powers. Russian territory should be evacuated and should be welcomed in the society of nations. Belgian territories should be restored. All French territories should be evacuated. Italian boundaries should be readjusted in order to recognize the lines of nationality. National groups should be provided independence and authority. Balkan nations should be restored and Serbia should have free access to the sea. Ottomans should be given protection, so that they can create their own independent nation. Poland should be given independence. A national league should be formed in order to protect mutual guarantee of territorial integrity and political independence. Wilson believes that some nations are jealous of German greatness. He has not complained on the achievement and development of this nation. Neither has he focused to block the power of the country. Nations should not fight with Germany through hostile ways in fact should live like a peace loving nations of the world. Wilson has not suggested any modification in the system of Germany. But it is necessary to have intelligent dealing with this country rather than fighting with the nation. One should do negotiation peacefully in order to end up the war. Evident principles have been outlined by Wilson. It is the principle of justice, among all nations and people and focusing on their rights to live on the basis of equality, liberty and safety with one another, ignoring the differences or large or small nations. He believes that the moral and final war in relation to humanity has raised and these can be controlled only through devotion and integrity among all nations. References Arthur S. Link. "Woodrow Wilson: The American as Southerner", Journal of Southern History, 36 (1) (1970): 3-17 Mulder, John H. “Woodrow Wilson: The Years of Preparation.” Princeton. (1978): 71–72. Snell, John. L. “Wilson on Germany and the Fourteen Points.” The Journal of Modern History, 26 (4) (1954): 364–369. Read More