A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History : President Wilson's "Fourteen Points" [Excerpt] Yale University Law School, Avalon Project President Wilson's "Fourteen Points" [Full text] Brigham Young University Library: World War I Documents Archive These paired resources give students an opportunity to examine in detail the famous "Fourteen Points" that President Wilson proposed to the victorious powers of Europe, and also the context of Wilson's ideas -- the complete Joint Message to Congress in which he first introduced these points. As a test of prior knowledge, the teacher can put the 14th point on the board: "XIV. A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike." and ask students to jot down answers to the following questions: a) What is the common name for the organization Wilson described in his 14th point? b) What was his goal in establishing such an organization? c) How did the Senate react to his suggestion? d) What ended up happening to the organization? Students may know nothing or they may know a considerable amount about the League of Nations, but this is one way to find out. Teachers can ask students to read the 14 point speech (the whole thing or the excerpt) and write down each point in their own words, with a symbol to represent the point. It might be helpful to pass out a split-screen organizer.

(b) evaluating United States involvement in World War I, including Wilson's Fourteen Points, the Treaty of Versailles, and the national debate over treaty ratification and the League of Nations;

President Wilson's "Fourteen Points" [Excerpt]
Avalon Project at Yale Law School

President Wilson's "Fourteen Points" [Full text]
Brigham Young University Library: World War I Documents Archive

Description: These paired resources give students an opportunity to examine in detail the famous "Fourteen Points" that President Wilson proposed to the victorious powers of Europe, and also the context of Wilson's ideas -- the complete Joint Message to Congress in which he first introduced these points.

Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestion

As a test of prior knowledge, the teacher can put the 14th point on the board: "XIV. A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike." and ask students to jot down answers to the following questions: a) What is the common name for the organization Wilson described in his 14th point? b) What was his goal in establishing such an organization? c) How did the Senate react to his suggestion? d) What ended up happening to the organization? Students may know nothing or they may know a considerable amount about the League of Nations, but this is one way to find out.

Suggestion for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson

Teachers can ask students to read the 14 point speech (the whole thing or the excerpt) and write down each point in their own words, with a symbol to represent the point. It might be helpful to pass out a split-screen organizer.