Wilson and the Fourteen Points

What type of person was Woodrow Wilson?

An idealist

Who was Woodrow Wilson?

The President of America

What were his 14 Points aiming to achieve?

World peace

What were Wilson’s views on German punishment?

He opposed harsh punishments and wanted to prevent another World War

Why was Wilson so lenient?

America hadn’t suffered much under the Great War as it only joined in 1917, no fighting was done on American soil and they had made lots of money from selling weapons to the Allies

What did Wilson believe in?

Democracy and self-determination

What is self-determination?

Countries ruling themselves rather than living under empires so that everyone can determine their own fates

What were the key ideas from his 14 Points?

Gaining trustful and open relations between countries, reorganising European borders, and the creation of the Treaty of Versailles

What were Wilson’s key Points?

Setting up a League of Nations, disarmament, self-determination for the people of Europe, freedom for colonies, freedom of the seas, and free trade

Why were not many of his Points followed?

Britain and France realised that it would cause them problems too - they both owned colonies which they would have to give up as well as an increased chance of invasion if only some countries disarmed. Ultimately, the Treaty of Versailles was not based on many of his 14 Points, and was much harsher than the Germans had hoped.