In late 1917, as the U.S. troops began arriving in France, Woodrow Wilson was dismayed by events in Europe and Russia. On the Western Front, the Allies reported horrific casualties, starvation, and mutinies. Various peace proposals by Germany, Austria-Hungary, Britain, and Pope Benedict XV languished. At the same time, sweeping political changes hit Russia. In March 1917, rebels overthrew the monarchy and established a provisional government headed by Alexander Kerensky. Despite the poor condition of the Russian army, Kerensky refused to withdraw from the war. He soon faced a host of problems including a dispirited populace, the desertion of non-Russian peoples from the empire, and political opposition. In November 1917, Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin ousted Kerensky and called for the creation of a workers’ state. They issued a unilateral cessation of hostilities against the Central Powers and published the secret treaties that had triggered the war. More on this on Friday!Searching for a higher purpose to the war’s unprecedented carnage and a way to undermine the international appeal of communism, Wilson offered bold plans for ending the conflict and reshaping international relations (you can read the Fourteen Points by clicking here). Beginning with the Fourteen Points, Wilson made numerous speeches calling for open diplomacy, free trade, resolution of territorial disputes, and disarmament. In October 1918, after the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the establishment of a republic, the German government approached Wilson with a peace proposal based on the Fourteen Points. Although Britain and France had reservations about freedom of the seas and reparations, they accepted the terms and an armistice ended World War I on November 11, 1918.
After reading the Fourteen Points, I would like you to consider and discuss the following: What are the major elements of the Fourteen Points? Why did they represent such a major shift in foreign affairs? Why do you think that the Fourteen Points inspired so many people? How did the Versailles Treaty differ from the goals of the Fourteen Points? Your thoughts…
19 comments:
The main point of these seemed to be to give most people back the land that they lost. It also wanted to establish foundations that countries could grow on, like getting rid of trade restrictions and making sure everyone had a right to the sea. I doubt anyone paid attention to THAT one. This is also why there was such a major shift in foreign affairs. Trading probably really started up again if anyone listened to this. They also even created an independent Polish state and gave the people under turkish rule more rights. He even wanted them all to unite and create "A general association", which, again, I doubt anyone will pay attention to. Did this document really inspire ppl? I wouldn't have thought. Maybe a war has made ppl realize taht Europe needs a few changes.
Ha! All the treaty of Versailles says is "Screw Germany!" "Go France!". And they kept the Ottomans under control of a Western power.
It seemed to me that the main point was to create a more peace-loving world with freer countries, trade, and no more colonies (or at least don't call them that). The Versailles Treaty seemed to be a lot harsher on the Germans, whereas the 14 points says it doesn't challenge, envy, or wish and harm to Germany at all. The Versailles Treaty said to limit the army to a certain number of men, they must seceed to France, and they must not set up any economic barriers (the same as the 14 points).
They stress the same major points, but say it and enforce it in a different way.
Wilson had the right idea. His plan either benifited everyone or didnt affect them. unlike Clemenceau who was out to get Germany. At least Wilson wasnt like all the other leaders and just want to get even.
the fourteen points was pretty good for both sides. it wasn't meant to favor the winning side, which really only would help in the short run. it was supposed to make sure nothing like this happened again. the treaty of versailles was meant to favor the winning side, only good for western europe in the short run, but of course that's why western europe would want it. it wouldn't help in the future really. and it definently wouldn't ensure peace.
I like these 14 points. They are a softer way of approaching world peace. but also i think there are acouple issues, for example numbers 6 and 7 with russia and belgium respectively. I just don know what they are going to do with all of the people if they evacuate and restore the two countries, its not like they can just stick them in a hotel for a night. restoration takes awhile and there's not really any room anywhere else without creating tension and that would not be good for helping create peace in a world that just got out of a war. But then in point 8, it seems almost like wilson is saying that alsace lorraine sort of Belongs to France instead of germany, so he might be favoring the french a little there.
By creating the fourteen points seems to make Wilson the leader of the allies and other countries. Point number five really shows that he's in charge because he states, "VII. Belgium, the whole world will agree,must be evacuated and restored..." He seems to be saying there is no other choice but to obey. Also, if he tried to give back the land that the other countries lost shouldn't the U.S do the same?
It sounds like he puts peace at the top of the list, as the word is in many of the points, as well as he addresses safety and freedom. He especially sees fit to place nations back in place, but wants most or all of the borders to be open to everyone, yet remain peaceful. Having them opened like this would reduce or eliminate tarrifs in trade of goods, which would create a great loss in money. The Versailles Treaty differed by being mostly about Germany and it's military being reduced, and can only be large enough to maintain order and control. This was pollibly, to keep the peace, as was the 14 points, by changing around territory.
I think a few of the main points are:
#14: to form a association of nations.
# 5: A free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims
# 2: freedom of navigation upon the seas
# 4: the making of guns to slow down
#3: equality of trade
The Treaty of Versailles was much harsher on germany. It talks on and on about Germany’s punishments whereas fourteen points brings in the whole world and Wilson is trying to make sure that a World war like this won’t ever happen again.
I think Wilson’s fourteen points inspired so many people because it showed that a war as bad as this one can end in way that isn’t overly harsh to the side that loses and still work.
The Fourteen Points are very ironic and convenient for the U.S. They are now the largest economy in the world, and unrestricted global trade would without a doubt benefit the U.S. Wilson states: "In regard to these essential rectifications of wrong and assertions of right we feel ourselves to be intimate partners of all the governments and peoples associated together against the Imperialists. " Is the U.S. not an imperial power? I don't think the U.S. is even considering giving Hawaii independence anytime soon. Yet, the Fourteen Points stress natoinal self-determination and economic equality. I sense that unrestricted trade would weaken reather than enhance the economies of African and Asian states. They would surely become economic dependencies without having the right to make trade tariffs. The Fourteen Points suggest states be made for the Turkish, Slavic, Polish, and Arabic nations. It also stressed that Germany and Austria should not be punished harshly and severely weakened; Wilson believed that Germay should remain equal in order to promote European peace and prevent future conflict. Austria and Hungary were seperated into two states to undermine Austrian power in the Treaty of Versailles. The Fourteen Points introduced a new idea: self-determination, the idea that nations have the right to govern themselves and form their own states. This without a doub sparked anti-imperial sentiments. Yet, they were underground and colonies in Africa were not given independence until after WWII.
i think wilson's basis for the fourteen points was very effective. he sought to relieve nationalistic tensions that caused this whole mess [being the war] and make sure that every nation was able to have it's own autonomy. if every nation had their own state and were not subjected to an overarching imperial rule, there would be no need for rebellion or harshness toward people seeming to live in the same empire. his idea is: give everything to their rightful owners, and what will they have to fight about? if the serbians had had their own state to begin with, there wouldn't have been a problem with the austro-hungarian government because they would have never have sought control over them.
the treaty of versailles blamed germany. wilson's 14 points didn't blame anyone, they just sought to restore order as it should be. the treaty of versailles is guaranteed to cause problems because [as we all may know] the german government didn't like having all these weights dropped on them [especially when they weren't the ones who started it, gotta love the austrians.] i'm sure, had wilson's 14 points, been adopted, there would have been order that the treaty of versailles was trying to accomplish with peace. as opposed to order, but with tensions emitting from germany.
i absolutly like this president, beacuse he said in the fourteen points that Romania should be evacuated and restored, and the restoration of the Polish country. I would agree with these terms, beacuse it wouldnt be me on the losing side.
The main points of the document seemed to be 1) establish independent states for different nationalities and 2) establish systems of trade and law that would be fair and promote equality between all countries. These seem pretty idealist but he is definitely on the right track.
Trade, land, and an association of nations seem to be the main ideas in Wilson's Fourteen points. I pretty much agree with all the things he mentioned. Him wanting to take all the stress and tension out from between countries is the right idea. In the Treaty of Versailles, they really seem to tear up Germany pretty badly..
It seems like almost an apology by giving back what has been taken away. No more restrictions on trade and a free ocean trade.
Some of the main points were:
The freedom to navigate the open seas, no economical barriers, the fair treatment of colonial powers, a creation of the League of Nations to peacefully solve any problems, and the self-determination of countries, so that they can govern themselves.
Wilson talks of evacuating any previously invaded countries and restoring them. He includes many countries and speaks of the betterment of the world instead of just the Western countries. Unlike the Treaty of Versailles, it says nothing of punishing Germany and forcing on war payments, like the 31 billion over 30 years. Wilson doesn't want any kind of harm upon any country. He even says "We wish her only to accept a place of equality among the peoples of the world, - the new world in which we now live, - instead of a place of mastery.", which of course is targeting Germany. He even acknowledges its greatness. The 14 points had a much more even and peace targeted goal, compared to the Treaty's endeavors to crush and dismantle Germany beyond repair.
It sounds like Wilson had some really good points. And he didn't stand up and make this all happen for what? For a system that he would never join? A system that would never be supported by congress. And didn't he realize congress did not like him and would not allow the U.S. to join the League of Nations?
Stupid grudge holding Europe... and stupid not standing up for what could have saved the world.
Sapp
I think that the fourteen points inspired people because it took the conflicts off the battlefield and put them in a conerfence room to literally talk out their problems and issues, making the casualties decrease. But sadly the thing that was wrong with the fourteen points like you mentioned Mr. Prill, was the idealism which was what it was popular for.
Major elements of the 14 points was the allowance for fair treatment of the colonies, reduction of armaments, self-determination, and the general formation of the League of Nations. This was a major shift in foreign affairs because no longer are the European powers nig and bad and more powerful that everyone. I think they inspired so many people because it made people think they were doing more good in the world and because it was idealist. It differed from the Treaty of Versailles because in that treaty, peace wasnt really established, it just leads to more fighting and harsh punishment of Germany, and in this one, it is fair to all countries, and peacefull.
The Fourteen Points seem very much toward and directed to the united states because they have the largest grown economy. this free trade with other nation would deffinately help them the most. the Fourteen Points goes on about natoinal self-determination among various groups. and how they deserve a equall economic regulations but in most socieites after the war i see this polocy actully weakening the states instead of helping them as planned.
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