Monday, November 7, 2011
WWI: Wilson & The League of Nations
President Wilson's 14 Points were innovative and idealistic. Use this blog to discuss advantages/disadvantages to the creation of the League. Why did the US refuse to join? What world organization exists today for similar purposes at the League? How effective is the UN? Is "global cooperation" more possible today than in 1919?
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As you say, Mrs. Nelson, President Wilson’s fourteen points are very simple and comprehensible. They basically state that: negotiation between nations should be public, there should be freedom of sea navigation, we should remove all economic barriers, Army’s control will be reduced but will ensure domestic safety, the people decide their form of government, we should evacuate Russia, we shall rebuild and evacuate Belgium, French territory be freed, we should readjust Italy, free those of Austria- Hungary, and keep them safe, Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro should be evacuated, Turkey shall be secured, Poland should become a state, an association of nations should be formed. Although these points include an abundance of information, they are all very clear. The points are clear-cut, and I believe this makes them so discussable. Wilson, unlike many other politicians, wanted to say things “straight –up” and not hide the severity and reality of these important issues. Even though this gives citizens an easy way to disapprove of his points, he is not being a hypocrite. He preaches his policy, and freely expresses his thought, as he points out in Point 1. Even though I agree with Wilson’s unique style, I think it brought along the disapproval of the League of Nations. It is clear that the United States was tired of war; finally they understood the consequences, and thought that this League would bring more war. The fact is very relevant, that this League of Nations will bring the United States into many conflicts in which it should have no say. We see this instance in more recent years, in Korea and Vietnam. However, in later years after WWII, we successfully established Wilson’s proposal of an association of nations to keep peace. This is known as the United Nations, or UN. The UN, in my opinion is a successful group, as it tries to keep peace throughout our world. These instances can be found true in: Haiti, Western Sahara, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Sudan and Darfur, Congo, Cyprus, Kosovo, Lebanon, Golan, Israel and Palestine, Afghanistan, Jammu and Kashmir, and East Timor. These are known as peacekeeping missions. A reason I believe the UN is so successful is because of the advances of technology, and experience of violence. In today’s society, we do not have to be face to face to have a meeting. Through video chat, e-mail, and other forms of mass communication, peoples’ messages are sent and received quicker, and can be heard by a large population. In addition, we as a world have seen the downsides of letting something get “out-of-hand”. For example, in WWII, we let the Germans conquer small nations and discriminate against their population of Jewish people. Now we know this is not right, and unjust. However, at the time, we did not understand the consequences of one notion. This idea is the reason we are safe and protected today; we have become an experienced people. Hopefully the UN keeps solving issues and conflicts, for we wish for a safer and better future in our lifetime, as well as for generations to come.
ReplyDeleteI agree we should tip our hats to the efforts of the UN, and perhaps to Wilson as well:) Nice, thoroughly detailed, lengthy, well thought out post Peter:)
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