The Fourteen Points, Woodrow Wilson, Essay Example

The five points I like the most are III, IV, V, VII, and XIV. I like the point III because it called for removing economic barriers and encouraging trade among the nations without protective measures. President Wilson demonstrated that he was ahead of time in understanding the benefits of economic freedom and trade. This was a great point because free and unrestricted economic trade creates interdependency between countries and enable them to grow by focusing on the production of goods and services in which they are good at. Free trade also helps countries become more productive and allocate their limited resources more efficiently.

The point IV called for reduction of national armaments to minimum levels so that they are barely adequate to maintain domestic peace and safety. In other words, President Wilson wanted to prevent the arms race because he knew that arms race will increase the probability of future conflicts and may impose more wars on the country. President Wilson believed that weapons do more harm than good and countries should not have weapons reserve any more than what could help them ensure security of their citizens on domestic levels.

The point V stated that the wishes of the local people should be taken into account when considering colonial claims. This demonstrates President Wilson’s commitment to democratic principles that the people of any state should have a right in decisions regarding the future of the state. President Wilson wanted to ensure that the public interest should not be ignored at the expense of the colonial powers’ interests and he wanted to prevent the possibility of people being ruled by oppressive governments.

The point VII called for restoration of Belgium as a country to its pre-occupation levels and giving the country an absolute freedom to set up its own laws and government. President Wilson understood that truly freed countries have the sovereignty to manage their affairs as they please without any international interference. President Wilson believed that international laws are only effective when each country enjoys the basic rights of self-governance. President Wilson might also have wanted to prevent struggle between international powers to maintain influence over Belgium.

The point XIV called for an association of nations that would work towards ensuring the interests and security of both strong and weak countries. President Wilson might have been thinking about an organization on the pattern of UN. President Wilson wanted countries to work together for the greater interests of the world and he particularly wanted to feel small and weaker countries safe.

President Wilson’s fourteen points seems to have been inspired by America itself. President Wilson wanted democracy to spread to Europe, too and believed that only free countries can ensure long-lasting peace and prosperity in the world. He also wanted to prevent the possibility of future military conflicts by reducing arms race and providing greater security to weaker nations.