Woodrow Wilson
Wilson was dissatisfied also. He was pleased to get the League of Nations accepted, and the map of eastern Europe was mainly drawn according to his principle of self-determination. But he found most of the rest of his 14 points ignored or rejected. Italy had to be given land given her in the secret treaty of 1915. Only the defeated powers were disarmed. Britain refused to accept freedom of the seas, and neither Britain, France nor Belgium would allow self-determination to the colonies in their empires. Self-determination was not allowed elsewhere – Wilson had wanted Anschluss between Austria and Germany, but this was denied; in 1919 the Czechs took over Teschen by force; and in 1920 Poland attacked and took land inhabited in Russia and Lithuania. All this Wilson had to accept. Finally, when he went home, the Senate refused either to accept the Treaty or to join the League. Wilson tired himself out trying to persuade Americans to accept what he had negotiated, had a stroke and died a broken man.
An Open Letter to the American People
By Woodrow Wilson, June 1919
My Fellow Americans,
As the Treaty of Versailles is signed and the Great War comes to a close, I write to you with a deep sense of purpose and responsibility. The war we fought was not just to defend our nation or our allies, but to uphold the principles of liberty, justice, and self-determination—the right of all peoples to choose their own destiny. These ideals guided me throughout the peace negotiations, and they will continue to guide us as we seek to build a new and lasting global order.
There are accomplishments in this treaty that should bring us pride. We have succeeded in restoring the sovereignty of nations long oppressed. The peoples of Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia, for example, are now free to determine their own futures. The principle of self-determination has begun to take root in Europe, offering hope for a more just and stable world.
However, I must acknowledge that the treaty does not fulfill all of the goals I had hoped for. Perhaps my greatest disappointment is our failure to secure a universal commitment to disarmament. I believe—and I know many of you share this belief—that peace can only endure if nations reduce their arms and the threat of war is lessened. Yet, despite my efforts, we could not convince all nations to agree to this principle. Instead, Germany alone has been forced to disarm, and while this may bring temporary security, it leaves the larger issue unresolved. Without mutual disarmament, we risk a future where nations, armed to the teeth, once again resort to violence.
I understand that some may feel the treaty is either too lenient or too harsh. But it is important to remember that peace cannot be built on vengeance alone. The harsher terms some sought—such as turning the Rhineland into an independent state—would, I believe, have only stoked future animosity and led to further conflict. Instead, we have struck a balance: securing France’s safety through a temporary military occupation of the region, while not humiliating Germany beyond repair.
At the heart of this treaty is a bold new idea: the League of Nations. This League, born of our commitment to peace and international cooperation, is the true hope for the future. Through this body, we can resolve disputes peacefully, avoid future wars, and ensure that the principles of justice and self-determination are upheld for all. I know this vision may seem idealistic to some, but I firmly believe that through dialogue and collective action, we can prevent the horrors of war from ever repeating.
The road ahead is not without challenges, but I ask you, my fellow Americans, to join me in this effort. Let us not retreat into isolation or cynicism. Let us lead the world by example, standing firm in our commitment to peace, fairness, and the rights of all nations and peoples to govern themselves.
Together, we can build a future worthy of the sacrifices made by so many.
Sincerely,
Woodrow Wilson
President of the United States
By Woodrow Wilson, June 1919
My Fellow Americans,
As the Treaty of Versailles is signed and the Great War comes to a close, I write to you with a deep sense of purpose and responsibility. The war we fought was not just to defend our nation or our allies, but to uphold the principles of liberty, justice, and self-determination—the right of all peoples to choose their own destiny. These ideals guided me throughout the peace negotiations, and they will continue to guide us as we seek to build a new and lasting global order.
There are accomplishments in this treaty that should bring us pride. We have succeeded in restoring the sovereignty of nations long oppressed. The peoples of Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia, for example, are now free to determine their own futures. The principle of self-determination has begun to take root in Europe, offering hope for a more just and stable world.
However, I must acknowledge that the treaty does not fulfill all of the goals I had hoped for. Perhaps my greatest disappointment is our failure to secure a universal commitment to disarmament. I believe—and I know many of you share this belief—that peace can only endure if nations reduce their arms and the threat of war is lessened. Yet, despite my efforts, we could not convince all nations to agree to this principle. Instead, Germany alone has been forced to disarm, and while this may bring temporary security, it leaves the larger issue unresolved. Without mutual disarmament, we risk a future where nations, armed to the teeth, once again resort to violence.
I understand that some may feel the treaty is either too lenient or too harsh. But it is important to remember that peace cannot be built on vengeance alone. The harsher terms some sought—such as turning the Rhineland into an independent state—would, I believe, have only stoked future animosity and led to further conflict. Instead, we have struck a balance: securing France’s safety through a temporary military occupation of the region, while not humiliating Germany beyond repair.
At the heart of this treaty is a bold new idea: the League of Nations. This League, born of our commitment to peace and international cooperation, is the true hope for the future. Through this body, we can resolve disputes peacefully, avoid future wars, and ensure that the principles of justice and self-determination are upheld for all. I know this vision may seem idealistic to some, but I firmly believe that through dialogue and collective action, we can prevent the horrors of war from ever repeating.
The road ahead is not without challenges, but I ask you, my fellow Americans, to join me in this effort. Let us not retreat into isolation or cynicism. Let us lead the world by example, standing firm in our commitment to peace, fairness, and the rights of all nations and peoples to govern themselves.
Together, we can build a future worthy of the sacrifices made by so many.
Sincerely,
Woodrow Wilson
President of the United States
