The+14+Points

=The Fourteen Points= The Fourteen Points was a plan given in a speech by President Woodrow Wilson which aimed to peacefully end World War 1 and was the basis for Germany's terms of surrender. Wilson’s infamous Fourteen Points speech to Congress, given on January 8, 1918, is possibly the most important statement of American foreign policy in the 20th century. It was Wilson’s statement of America’s war aims, but it was also a layout to reorganize world politics. The actual drafting of the speech occurred on January 5, 1918, at the White House. During the end of world war one, Europe was in utter ruins. Lands were divided, reparations were owed and Germany was all to blame for this. Wilson’s Fourteen Points speech was a very important piece of propaganda that was used to encourage the Allies to victory. Since the Allies wanted the Germans to surrender they also dropped copies of the speech behind German lines. The believed that if Germans knew that they would make a settlement with the Allies, and not have to become bankrupt from war penalties, they would surrender peacefully.

The Fourteen Points:
1. **Open Diplomacy**- No private international understandings, and diplomacy shall always be shared publicly 2. **Freedom of the Seas**- Freedom for all to navigate any part of the seas 3. **Removal of Economic Barriers**- Equality of trade among all nations 4. **Reduction of Armaments**- National armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety 5. **Adjustment of Colonial Claims**- The Interests of the people must be taken greatly into consideration 6. **Conquered Territories in Russia**- Russia will become a free nation and will acquire the help of the nations around it 7. **Preservation of Belgian Sovereignty**- Belgium must be evacuated and restored 8. **Restoration of French Territory**- Overtaken French terriotory should be freed 9. **Redrawing of Italian Frontiers**- Reajustment of the Italian boundaries 10. **Division of Austria Hungary**- Free opurtunity of autonomous development 11. **Redrawing of Balkan Boundaries**- Cities evacuated and occupied territories restored 12. **Limitations on Turkey**- Turkey's land in the Ottoman Empire should be rightfully theirs and other property should be allowed autonomous development 13. **Establishment of an Independent Poland**- Free Poland with full access to the sea and other amenities 14. **Association of Nations**- Association of nations must be formed to guarentee political independence and teritorial integrity __The Most Important of The Fourteen Points__


 * The first** of the important points was the __first point__ which initiated an open diplomacy policy. This meant that all negotiations between representatives of country's and states must be shared with the public. This created an easy minded public and helped decreased corruption among politicians. If the public was watching what happened within political negotiations then the politicians wouldn't do anything to prevent them from being re-elected.


 * The second** of the important points was the __second point__ which gave all countries freedom of the seas. This meant that everyone could navigate all parts of the oceans and no part of water belonged to a certain country. The British disagreed with this point and wanted to have control over some of the seas so Wilson eventually had to compromise it so he could get his most important point across.


 * The third** of the most important points was the __eighth point__, Restoration of French Territory. This would free all withheld territory and bring it back to France's possession. Aswell the ruined and invaded parts were to be reclaimed and restored. As well the wrongdoings of Prussia concerning Alsace Lorraine must be taken blame for. This confrontation has unsettled the worlds peace for nearly fifty years, restoring a union would create peace in the interest of all. This brought back to France what was rightfully theirs and bring a form of reparations from Prussia along with it.


 * The fourth** of the most important points was the __fourteenth point__, it stated that a general association of nations must be formed. This was Wilson's most important point. He believed that with an association of nations many of the world's problems would be solved peacefully instead of with war. He wanted to prevent another World War. In the Treaty of Versailles the institution of a League of Nations was included, but since the U.S. refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles the League of Nations failed and wasn't discussed again until the United Nations was made. This point was important because it created a congregation of countries to keep peace around the world and keep countries united.

(Wilson adressing his Fourteen Points)

__Conclusion__ In the end, President Woodrow Wilson's fourteen points was a plan to restore what the tragic effects of world war 1 had done to the entire world. He looked to re-create countries and bring equal freedoms to each individual sate. Bringing different views of the world together in a time of crisis is not easy but Wilson was able to do so. His fourteen points was the only public statement discussing goals for the end of World War 1, and by making them he made huge steps in peace between nations. He brought the whole world together in one understanding of freedom and liberty. For doing so he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

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Ben Schube - Will Rubin