The End of the War and Wilson’s Fourteen Points
- The USA’s declaration of war on April 6, 1917 turned WWI into a true world war. Never before
had so many countries been involved in a conflict. Fighting took place in Europe, Asia, and
Africa. By the end, even five South American countries had joined.
- WWI can also be considered the first “total war”, with civilians as well as soldiers contributing
to the war effort. Civilians helped on the home front with food, ammunition, supplies, etc.
Many were conscripted to fight. When a country is in a “Total War”, the citizens are directly or
indirectly devoted to the war effort. The day-to-day basis would be all related to war, citizens
were encouraged to buy the victory bond.
-Even though America was not directly involved in the war, it was part of the war because it
provided supplies and resources to France
- In January 1918, American president Woodrow Wilson (idealism) proposed an end to the war
based on his 14 Points, which he believed governments should follow in order to prevent future
wars and satisfied everyone. He believed that it was the solution for wars but then rejected by
the Germans. (because the Germans believed that they could win the war without Wilson’s
idea)
- Wilson’s 14 Points covered the following main ideas:
-“National self-determination”: Every nation or people had the right to govern
themselves and not be ruled by a foreign power. (Points #9-13)
- Governments would have to deal with each other differently. (Points #1-4)
- Germany would not be able to keep any of the lands that it conquered. (Points #5-8)
- An international organization should be set up to monitor the peace and prevent
future wars. This led to the creation of the League of Nations. Even though it did not
work immediately during that period, but it formed foundation for what we have nowadays.
(Point #14)
- The Germans believed that they could still win the war and dismissed Wilson’s ideas. Later in
March 1918, they signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Russia. It pulled Russia out of the war
but also pulled America in the war which was important for the end of WWII.
-Described WWI as a “War of Attrition” which means a strategy in which one sides tries to
cause so many losses of sources until one side collapse or worn out.
- As troops were no longer needed to fight Russia on the Eastern Front, 400,000 German troops
were transferred to the Western Front.
- The USA’s declaration of war on April 6, 1917 turned WWI into a true world war. Never before
had so many countries been involved in a conflict. Fighting took place in Europe, Asia, and
Africa. By the end, even five South American countries had joined.
- WWI can also be considered the first “total war”, with civilians as well as soldiers contributing
to the war effort. Civilians helped on the home front with food, ammunition, supplies, etc.
Many were conscripted to fight. When a country is in a “Total War”, the citizens are directly or
indirectly devoted to the war effort. The day-to-day basis would be all related to war, citizens
were encouraged to buy the victory bond.
-Even though America was not directly involved in the war, it was part of the war because it
provided supplies and resources to France
- In January 1918, American president Woodrow Wilson (idealism) proposed an end to the war
based on his 14 Points, which he believed governments should follow in order to prevent future
wars and satisfied everyone. He believed that it was the solution for wars but then rejected by
the Germans. (because the Germans believed that they could win the war without Wilson’s
idea)
- Wilson’s 14 Points covered the following main ideas:
-“National self-determination”: Every nation or people had the right to govern
themselves and not be ruled by a foreign power. (Points #9-13)
- Governments would have to deal with each other differently. (Points #1-4)
- Germany would not be able to keep any of the lands that it conquered. (Points #5-8)
- An international organization should be set up to monitor the peace and prevent
future wars. This led to the creation of the League of Nations. Even though it did not
work immediately during that period, but it formed foundation for what we have nowadays.
(Point #14)
- The Germans believed that they could still win the war and dismissed Wilson’s ideas. Later in
March 1918, they signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Russia. It pulled Russia out of the war
but also pulled America in the war which was important for the end of WWII.
-Described WWI as a “War of Attrition” which means a strategy in which one sides tries to
cause so many losses of sources until one side collapse or worn out.
- As troops were no longer needed to fight Russia on the Eastern Front, 400,000 German troops
were transferred to the Western Front.
