Th4 ch3 The end of the first world war and it's aftermath

What had Wilson prepared in anticipation of the end of the first world war?

ten months before the armistice, in 1918 he had outlined a peace plan known as the Fourteen Points . He had a vision of an end to the war that would bring a “just and secure peace”.

How did it go when Wilson presented his ideas to congress?

he presented this programme to a joint session of Congress on January 8th 1918

What were the main ideas Wilson had comme up with in his 14 points? And why?

he didn’t want to be too harsh on Germany for fear of them taking revenge in the future, or extrimist groups exploiting their resentment.

• strenghten democracy in defeated countries

• give serlf determination to small countries that had once been part of the European Empires

• international cooperation = the league of nations

Why can it be said that the fourteen points ended up being a failure for Wilson?

• He had to compromise alot to save his idea of a league of nation and the treaty was very diferent from his interntionalist view especially for Germany

• public opinion in the US rejected he league of nation for fear of it weakening their power. They thoguth they could maintain peace by staying out of european affairs : isolationist

• the treaty of versailles didn’t build lasting peace and is even considered a cause of ww2

Why are WWilsons point still important?

they promoted ideas taht would later become very important, especially the oncept of self-determination, international collabratio and equality between countries --