Why were Wilson's 14 Points not accepted by other members of the paris peace conference?
PLEASE HELP I AM IN DANGER OF FAILING
the British were against freedom of the seas; the French demanded war reparations. Wilson was forced to compromise on many of his ideals to ensure that his most important point, the establishment of the League of Nations, was accepted. In the end, the Treaty of Versailles went against many of the principles of the Fourteen Points, both in detail and in spirit. Rather than "peace without victory," the treaty sought harsh punishment of Germany both financially and territorially.
Source:
Wikipedia
Wilson's 14 Points were not fully accepted by other members of the Paris Peace Conference due to several reasons. To understand why, we need to examine the context of the conference and the concerns of the other participants.
1. Self-interest: Each country had its own national interests, territorial ambitions, and security concerns. Many nations were more focused on advancing their individual goals rather than supporting Wilson's proposal for a fair and just peace settlement.
2. National sovereignty: The idea of establishing a League of Nations, as proposed in the 14 Points, raised concerns among some countries regarding the erosion of their national sovereignty. They feared that joining such an international organization would limit their ability to act independently on matters of foreign policy.
3. Varying war aims: The countries involved had different war aims and different visions for the post-war world. Some nations sought territorial gains or reparations, while others wished to maintain the status quo. The 14 Points did not align with these diverse objectives, leading to opposition.
4. Power dynamics: Wilson's 14 Points were seen by some as an attempt by the United States to project its influence and dominate the post-war order. This perception, coupled with the fact that the United States had entered the war relatively late and with less sacrifice compared to European powers, made it difficult for Wilson to garner unanimous support.
5. Lack of inclusion: While Wilson's proposal emphasized self-determination and open diplomacy, he did not include representatives from countries that were not part of Allied powers or countries that had been occupied by the Central Powers during the war. This exclusion caused resentment and undermined the credibility of the 14 Points.
Overall, the opposing views and competing national interests of the countries involved made it challenging for the 14 Points to be fully accepted. Wilson's idealistic vision clashed with the realities and complexities of a post-war world torn apart by conflicting aims and interests.