Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points - opposed by France, the UK and repubs.

[pampango]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourteen_Points

"Wilson was a progressive globalist, ahead of his time and not trusted or accepted by many." ... but he "failed to inspire the "Victors" to break the cycle of conquest and subjugation which had plagued the globe since the advent of warfare.

The Treaty of Versailles did achieve the final of Wilson's Fourteen Points, "A general association of nations...affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike" In such was laid the legal construct for the United Nations as it presents today- a theoretical international peacekeeping body."

"The United States Senate (controlled by repubs) refused to consent to the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles, making it invalid in the U.S. and effectively hamstringing the nascent League of Nations envisioned by Wilson. ... One of the largest obstacles was over the League of Nations; Congress believed that committing to the League of Nations also meant committing U.S. troops to any conflict that might have arisen (see also Article X of the Covenant of the League of Nations)."

Fourteen Points

1. Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at, after which there shall be no private international understandings of any kind but diplomacy shall proceed always frankly and in the public view.
2. Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters, alike in peace and in war, except as the seas may be closed in whole or in part by international action for the enforcement of international covenants.
3. The removal, so far as possible, of all economic barriers and the establishment of equality of trade conditions among all the nations consenting to the peace and associating themselves for its maintenance.
4. Adequate guarantees given and taken that national armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety.
(#5-#14 dealt with decolonization, many country-specific issues and the establishment of the League of Nations.)

Summary

1. There should be an end to all secret diplomacy amongst countries.
2. Freedom of the seas in peace and war
3. The reduction of trade barriers among nations
4. The general reduction of armaments

"Odd how history repeats itself. Many of Wilson's "points" would be equally controversial if proposed today.

[RandomThoughts]

1. The argued benifits of trade could be achieved by cultural exchange and travel.

What is the argument for free trade.

[pampango]

3. Don't know Wilson's reasoning, but FDR was a proponent of the UN and reduced trade barriers, too.

He and Wilson were not much different in how they wanted to see the world restructured after each of the world wars. And they both were considered to be quite progressive in their times.

[The Magistrate]

2. As M. Clemenceau Said, Sir: 'God Contented Himself With Ten....'

Wilson does not get nearly the credit he deserves for the course of the twentieth century....

[LuvNewcastle]

4. I wonder what view people will have of

the 20th century. To me it seemed awfully violent. I think 9/11 was the culmination of third world resistance to the manipulative imperialism of the 20th century. When seen in that light, it appears that Wilson wasn't a very good influence.

[The Magistrate]

5. Wilson, Sir, Is Among My Least Favorite People