Fourteen Points

Wilson delivered his “Fourteen Points” speech to Congress, but he aimed his words at the world. Wilson was known for his oratory and could easily speak for an hour, yet he keeps this speech focused on 14 numbered proposals that could be easily reported and distributed. Newspapers around the world did so. Given this international reach, Wilson includes different themes that would appeal to different audiences. His common goal throughout is to cast the war as a moral conflict and shape the discussion of the postwar world. This analysis looks at three primary audiences: Russians, Americans, and the general public in democratic countries.

Wilson’s speech opens with the Russians. He knows that Russia is on the verge of surrender and that this could prove disastrous for the Allies. He could have criticized them and accused them of betraying their cause. Instead, he describes the Russian proposals in positive terms and says that they are carrying on open negotiations “very justly, very wisely” (690). The Germans have responded with outrageous demands, so, he says, the Russians “cannot entertain such proposals of domination and mastery” (690). By talking as though there is no possibility of Russia agreeing to the German proposals, he subtly tries to persuade the Russians that surrendering to the Central Powers is unthinkable.