On 8 January 1918, The 28th President of the United States of America, Woodrow Wilson, delivered his powerful speech to a joint session of Congress, in which he declared the fourteen points idea. This was later known as Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points. He aims to make proposals which could ensure peace in the future as well as to end all future wars. This short essay intents to explore the historical context, content, its influence on public, and the issues within the speech which affect the historians. At the end of year 1917, the United States embarked on the ‘War to End All Wars’ declared by President Wilson after successfully re-won the presidential seat due to his famous campaign slogan “He kept us out of war”. The Wilson administration
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It is apparent that he sought to ensure the Americans that by entering it, they can promote democracy and liberate imperial nations, as well as fulfilling his personal intention by proving that his Fourteen Points is an ideal basis for peace. He succeeded on assuring his people, even as far as to convince the Germans to agree on armistice, then, following the points for a just peace. [citation needed] Therefore, ending the war, subsequently forming treaties such as the Treaty of Versailles. [citation …show more content…
However, one certainly questions his credibility and claims, in particular the seemingly hypocrisy of Wilson’s several actions. It is rumoured that while he supported global democracy, when it comes to domestic policy, his administration led against fundamental freedoms. The assumption of Wilson being the worst violator of civil liberties ever seat in the White House has emerged since 1919. His administration used the Sedition and Espionage act to sue whoever critique the war. This was later proved when Wilson sentenced Eugene Debs, a four-time presidential candidate, for ten year prison due to criticising the draft. Furthermore, while Wilson fully supports the liberation and freedom of each person, he seemed to have little or even none interest in the liberty of black people, this was shown when Wilson unveiled his points to be included in the peace treaty, where in that time the blacks demanded for the 15th point, an end to racial discrimination. However, Wilson did not respond. Furthermore, Wilson’s State Department denied the black people’s passport when a delegation of black intellectuals tried to go to France for peace talks. In addition, Wilson who presumably relies on international covenants to solve various issues as he stated them multiple times in his speech should also be questioned. August Heckscher addressed that
It is apparent that he sought to ensure the Americans that by entering it, they can promote democracy and liberate imperial nations, as well as fulfilling his personal intention by proving that his Fourteen Points is an ideal basis for peace. He succeeded on assuring his people, even as far as to convince the Germans to agree on armistice, then, following the points for a just peace. [citation needed] Therefore, ending the war, subsequently forming treaties such as the Treaty of Versailles. [citation …show more content…
However, one certainly questions his credibility and claims, in particular the seemingly hypocrisy of Wilson’s several actions. It is rumoured that while he supported global democracy, when it comes to domestic policy, his administration led against fundamental freedoms. The assumption of Wilson being the worst violator of civil liberties ever seat in the White House has emerged since 1919. His administration used the Sedition and Espionage act to sue whoever critique the war. This was later proved when Wilson sentenced Eugene Debs, a four-time presidential candidate, for ten year prison due to criticising the draft. Furthermore, while Wilson fully supports the liberation and freedom of each person, he seemed to have little or even none interest in the liberty of black people, this was shown when Wilson unveiled his points to be included in the peace treaty, where in that time the blacks demanded for the 15th point, an end to racial discrimination. However, Wilson did not respond. Furthermore, Wilson’s State Department denied the black people’s passport when a delegation of black intellectuals tried to go to France for peace talks. In addition, Wilson who presumably relies on international covenants to solve various issues as he stated them multiple times in his speech should also be questioned. August Heckscher addressed that