LAD #31: Wilson's 14 Points

Responding to Russia pulling out of WWI, President Wilson addressed the serious blow that the Allied Powers sustained in losing the eastern portion of the war.  Through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the revolution-bound Russians made peace with the Central Powers and effectively left the War for the British and French to clean up.  Wilson, while also admiring the benchmark that the treaty set for Democracy, questioned the validity and effectiveness of the treaty -- for Russia ended up losing all territory occupied by the Central Powers, unable to get it back.  This seemingly Democratic act "watered down" Wilson's view of what was actually occurring (whom the Russians spoke to and whom the Germans truly represented).  In order to fully preserve the true Democratic nature and justice of the world, Wilson declared that it was United State's duty -- much like the White Man's Burden and imperialism -- to join the war and protect Democracy throughout the globe.  America needed to "make the world safe for Democracy."  Simply put, the points Wilson provided for the world were designed to unite the world in order and peace.  Amongst them included: ending secret treaties, freedom of the seas, removal of all economic barriers, colonial self-determination, reacquisition of lost territory to the countries of Russia, France, Italy, and Belgium, the peaceful organization of Austria-Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro and the other Balkan States, a sanctioned Ottoman port, and finally...a League of Nations.