Rought Draft Paper: Wilson's WWI Recovery Plan

Woodrow Wilson wanted to draw up a liberal settlement at the end of the war that would ensure peace and democracy for generations to come.

At the very beginning of the US involvement in World War I President Woodrow Wilson started to draft his vision of US aims in the war. He "recruited a group of scholarly advisers called the Inquiry to translate his vision into specific war aims." (textbook. p. 670 mid right) These prewar aims were called Wilson's "Fourteen Points." These aims were his goals of how the war should end. They also summed up the reasons why the US was getting involved in WWI and what the US hoped to accomplish. The Fourteen Points greatly increased the general public's support for WWI, particularly among the liberals.

Wilson's Fourteen Points (p. 185. primary source) called for free open trade with no restrictions on the seas, or in any country. The points outlined what was hoped would reduce the chance of another major war happening. Wilson's plan was to unite the world in a peaceful trade agreement.

The Fourteen Points also had some points where various wrongs done or territories taken would be restored, returned, or set free. (p. 185. primary source) While Wilson wanted Germany to make reparations for the damages done during the war, he didn't want near as much as some of the other European nations wanted.

At the end of the war, "the German high command in early October [1918] proposed to Wilson an armistice based on the Fourteen Points. The British and French hesitated, but when Wilson threatened a separate peace, they agreed." (textbook. p. 671 top left) The Versailles Peace conference took place in Versailles, France and was headed by the Allied leaders.

While selecting a delegation for the Versailles Peace Conference Wilson made several mistakes. First Wilson decided that he, as President, was going to lead the American delegation at the peace conference. He also only named one Republican to this same peace commission. By only naming one Republican, it later caused the Republican controlled houses of Congress to reject the US entry into the League of Nations.

These differences in the reparations wanted and the US forcing Britain and France into the armistice also lead to one of the biggest obstacles he faced. Wilson's plan involved a peace that would involve everyone and that would include the most benefit for future generations. However the countries that suffered so much in the war like Britain and France didn't want to accept a treaty that was so liberal to Germany. They wanted revenge for all the time they had spent fighting and destroying their own country.

Part of the reason is the lack of compromises on both sides, but also the political in-fighting because the republicans thought they didn't have enough people in the (what? Committee?)

In the end, Germany only paid a fraction of reparations owed. Some German colonies eventually got sent on road to independence. Aroused resentment in Germany. Helping Russian revolution. Designed to weaken Russia

About the only good thing that did come out of Wilson's plan is that his "idealistic emphasis on self-determinations and democracy... did influence some of the treaty's provisions." (textbook. p. 672 top right)

Out of all of Wilson's high minded points, the only one that really got put into place was the League of Nations. The apparent success of the League of Nations at first. Although the US was not able to take part in it.

Failed to get us into League of Nations. At first everyone thought so. No republicans.

At first "The league embodied his vision of a liberal, harmonious, and ration world order" (textbook. 673 top left) then when the US senate rejected the league as Wilson has proposed it. Wilson defended his league and went on a country wide trip trying to convince the general public of the usefulness / need for the league.

"Had Wilson been willing to compromise, the Senate would probably have ratified the Versailles treaty, and the United States would have joined the League." (textbook. p 674, top left)

As successful as he was in rallied the people behind him in the war effort, he was not able to put his plan into action. The US senate even voted down (twice) the US joining the League of Nations. The other countries in the Versailles peace treaty had to almost be forced. When "German high command... proposed to Wilson an armistice based on the fourteen points... the British and French hesitated, but when Wilson threatened a separate peace, they agreed." many of the European countries wanted much treaty rather that a "free trade alliance" that the fourteen points primarily outlined.

The main reason for the failure of Wilson's plan is that the US outlined this plan which the US whose soil hadn't been directly touched by the war suffered much, while other countries that actually had the war fought on their lands and had much damage. They didn't dig the US liberal view.

All these events/ reparations for the WWI led to much unrest and set the stage for WWII.

There are some aspects that where good, and got put into place. But overall, while Wilson's plan wasn't accepted because it was to liberal. The nations involved more directly with WWI couldn't accept the US dictating the terms of their peace.

Who agreed to what peace treaty? "made in America" stamp on the peace. Hired "smart guys" to clearly define aims. summed up aims to congress – fourteen points. War w/ Russia. Versailles peace conference

Wilson's plan was to unite the world in a peaceful trade agreement. And while he wanted germany to make reparations for all the damages done in the war, he didn't wante near as much as some of the other European nations wanted. These differences also lead to one of the biggest obstacles he faced (france, ect wanted)

Failed to get us into League of Nations. At first everyone thought so. No republicans. Other countries suffered much, and didn't like the US who suffered very little compared to them dictation the terms. Germany only paid a fraction of reparations owed. Some German colonies eventually got sent on road to independence. Aroused resentment in Germany. Helping Russian revolution. Designed to weaken Russia.

The League of Nations was put into place, The apparent success of the League of Nations at first. Although the US was not able to take part in it.

Wilson wanted: free open trade 4/ all seas. To trade one deduced chances of another war happening. Wrongs done/territories taken by Germany before and during the war to be restored/returned. (p. 181. primary source)

Wilson had a plan for peace that wouild involve everyone and that would include the most amount fot future generations. However the gcountried that suffered so much in the war like france didn't want to accept a treaty that was so liberal to germany. They wanted revenge for all the time that germany had ocuppided france.

Wilson's plan . in the end, most of winsons plan failed. Other contries wouldn't accept his liberal terms, and even the US senate and US people wouldn't accept the US (involvement) in th ELeauge of nations. Part of the reaon is the lack of compromises on both sides, but also the but also the political infightlying because the republicans thought they didn't have enough ppl in the (what? Committee?)

Woodrow Wilson wanted to draw up a liberal settlement at the end of the war that would ensure peace and democracy for generations to come.

Wilson faced obsticals at home, and in the other allied nations, and even in germany.

All these events/ reparations for the WWI led to much unrest and set the stage for WWII.

As successful as he was in rallied the ppl behind him in the war effort, he was not able to put his plan into action. The US senate even voted down (twice) the US joining the leuge of nations. The other contries in the Versailles peace treaty hadda lamost be forced. When "german high command.. proposed to wilson an armistice basesd on the fourteen points... the british and French hesitated, but when Wilson threatened a separate pecase, they agreed." (textbook. p 671 top left) many of the earuopean countries wanted much treaty rather that a "free trade alliance" that the fourteen points primarily outlined.

All these papers were originally written for school related assignments. Either by me or by friends who left me copies of their papers. I have no more use for these so someone else might as well see if they can make use of. I make no claims as to the accuracy of content, grammer, or spelling. Everything you use is at your own risk...