The United States and Woodrow Wilson
1917 he declared war on Germany.
He was an idealist and reformer who saw the war as a means to end wars forever by creating a ‘League of Nations’ that binds all nations together in a mutual alliance - much different from the alliances that were present before the war started (see point 14 below).
Major issues to take to the treaty
He had 14 points which he saw as a way of bringing peace
1. There should be no secret treaties; all international agreements should be open.
2. The seas were to be free to all countries at all times.
3. Customs barriers between countries should be removed.
4. Armaments should be reduced.
5. The wishes of the peoples in colonies should be taken into account when settling colonial claims.
6. German forces should leave Russia.
7. Belgium should be independent.
8. Alsace-Lorranine should be returned to France.
9. Italy’s frontier with Austria should be adjusted to avoid confrontation with Austria.
10.There should be self determination for the peoples of Eastern Europe.
This allows different nationalities the right to govern themselves as independent nations.
11.Serbia should be given a coastline.
12.There should be self-determination for the people of the Turkish empire.
13.Poland should be independent and given a coastline.
14.An International organization should be set up to deal with international incidents and disputes (therefore avoiding war) - League of Nations.
resource: www.SchoolHistory.co.uk