Wilson’s Fourteen Points

Definition

This was a statement of principles for peace that was to be used for peace negotiations in order to end World War I. It was proposed by President Woodrow Wilson on January 8, 1918.

Analogy

Think of Wilson's Fourteen Points like a game plan or strategy guide for a complex video game. Just as the guide provides steps and rules to help you navigate through the game successfully, the Fourteen Points were designed to provide guidelines and principles for achieving lasting peace after World War I.

Related terms

League of Nations: An international organization established after World War I under the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. The League, the forerunner of the United Nations, brought about much international cooperation on health, labor problems, refugee affairs, etc.

Treaty of Versailles: The treaty imposed on Germany by the Allied powers in 1920 after the end of World War I which demanded exorbitant reparations from the Germans.

Self-determination: A principle often seen as a moral and legal right whereby nations have an entitlement to sovereignty without external interference.