Wilson 14 Points + League of Nations

Background
  - President Woodrow Wilson advocated for a "peace without victory" before the USA entered WWI.
  - His decision to join the conflict was influenced by the necessity of shaping the post-war world system and protecting US shipping.
  - Wilson's vision of internationalism was centered on:
    - Liberal democratic ideals
    - Capitalism
    - Free trade
    - Dissolution of colonial empires
  - He believed that US leadership was essential to achieve these goals, necessitating participation in the war and contributing to a peace settlement.
  - Wilson felt Germany had to be defeated for these principles to materialize.

Introduction to the 14 Points
- The 14 Points were publicized by Wilson in a speech in January 1918.
List of the 14 Points:
  1. Open treaties
  2. Freedom of the seas
  3. Free trade
  4. Universal disarmament
  5. Impartial adjustment of colonial claims with consideration of the inhabitants' wishes
  6. Evacuation of all Russian territory
  7. Evacuation of Belgium
  8. Italian border readjusted according to nationality
  9. Autonomous development offered to the peoples of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
  10. Evacuation of Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania; Serbia to have sea access
  11. Autonomous development for nationalities in the Turkish Empire; Dardanelles Straits to remain open
  12. Establishment of an independent and free Poland with access to the sea
  13. General association of nations with specific covenants for mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity
Response to the 14 Points:
  - By October 1918, Germans viewed the 14 Points as the best potential deal due to their situation in the war.
  - They appealed to Wilson for an armistice based on these points, putting Wilson in a complex position of mediating between enemies and allies.
  - Wilson worked to convince the British and French of the 14 Points with limited success.

Post-Armistice Scenario (November 11, 1918)
  - There was significant resentment towards Germany among the Allies, overshadowing support for Wilson’s 14 Points.
  - Following the armistice, Germany:
    - Evacuated conquered territory in the west
    - Surrendered its fleet
    - Allies maintained the naval blockade
  - Allies denied Germany any role in creating the peace settlement, contradicting Wilson's vision of peace.

Wilson's Role
  - Wilson personally negotiated as he believed in representing the USA directly in Europe, staying six months and returning briefly to the US during this time.
  - He left Congress under Republican control without significant Republican politicians accompanying him to Paris, exacerbating political tensions.
  - Tensions arose between Wilson and British Prime Minister Lloyd George, and French leader Georges Clemenceau, with disagreements on various terms of the peace treaty.
  - Wilson rejected secret treaties made by other allied nations, including the Treaty of London with Italy, viewing them as violating his principle of national self-determination.
Complications with National Claims
- The complexities of national submissions from many countries involved challenged Wilson’s understanding of European politics, impacted by 150 years of American isolationism.

Compromises and Focus on the League of Nations
- As Wilson compromised on elements of the 14 Points, he became increasingly reliant on the League of Nations to address shortcomings he perceived in the broader treaty.
- Instead of a separate treaty, Wilson insisted that the Covenant of the League be incorporated into the Treaty of Versailles.

Senate Opposition
  - Republicans in the Senate opposed various aspects of the League, seeing advantages in the opposition.
  - Wilson's stance included some concessions, like allowing withdrawal of a member nation with a two-year notice and respecting the domestic sovereignty of member nations.
  - However, Wilson stubbornly defended the Treaty and especially Article X, leading opponents to depict him as autocratic and arrogant.

Wilson's Health Deterioration
- Following his return from Paris, Wilson attempted to garner public support for the League through an extensive speaking tour despite declining health.
- This tour proved to be too strenuous, culminating in a stroke in October 1919, leaving him unable to advocate for the League effectively.
Consequences of Senate Votes
- The Senate repeatedly voted against ratification of the Treaty from November 1919 to March 1920.
- Ultimately, the Treaty concluding WWI and signed by America's European allies failed to receive US recognition due to internal political divides.