Fourteen Points

Speech given by Wilson to the American Congress on 8 Jan 1918. Intended to assure the people of USA that WWI was being fought for a moral cause and for post-war peace in Europe.

1. International diplomacy should be open instead of secret
2. Freedom of navigation on the seas in both peace and war
3. Free trade between nations
4. General reduction of armaments
5. Adjustment of colonial claims in the interest of the inhabitants
6. German evacuation and international recognition of Russia
7. German evacuation of Belgium
8. German evacuation of France and return of Alsace–Lorraine to France
9. Re-adjustment of Italian boundaries along lines of nationality
10. Independence for various national groups in Austria-Hungary
11. Independence of Balkan nations and access to the sea for Serbia
12. Protection for minorities in Turkey and free passage of ships through the Dardanelles
13. Independent Poland with access to the sea
14. A league of nations to provide collective security for 'small and great nations alike'