Read the following four points from President Wilson's Fourteen Points speech given in 1918. What was the overall purpose of the
Fourteen Points, and why did he include the type of proposals listed in the passage? What impact did these ideas have on the rest of the world? X. The peoples of Austria-Hungary, whose place among the nations we wish to see safeguarded and assured, should be accorded the freest opportunity to autonomous development.
XI. Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro should be evacuated; occupied territories restored; Serbia accorded free and secure access to the sea; and the relations of the several Balkan states to one another determined by friendly counsel along historically established lines of allegiance and nationality; and international guarantees of the political and economic independence and territorial integrity of the several Balkan states should be entered into.
The goal of the Fourteen Points was to restore peace and prevent future wars from occurring.
Wilson wanted to aid countries in self-determination or the ability to choose their own government. This is in hopes they would choose democracy. The two clauses included in the above question, give conquered areas their sovereignty back and borders returned. This supports the idea that Wilson wanted to promote free countries and democratic governments.
Colonies wanted to be included in the right to choose their own government. Wilson's ideas made them believe they would receive independence and the ability to be sovereign for helping in the war. Vietnam and Indian in particular were inspired by the message of the Fourteen Points. As a result of not getting independence many colonies would begin to organize movements which would lead to independence in the future.
