What were the core ideas of Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points?

• A. Self-determination, freedom of the seas, free trade, arms reduction, open diplomacy, and the creation of a League of Nations.
• B. Total victory for the Allies, with harsh terms for the Central Powers.
• C. Continuation of imperial dominance and secret treaties.
• D. A focus on domestic reform with no international institutions.

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is that Wilson’s Fourteen Points urged a peaceful, cooperative postwar order built on openness, self-determination, and international teamwork. Wilson argued that nations should allow peoples to determine their own governments (self-determination), sail freely on the seas, trade openly, and reduce armaments, all under transparent, open diplomacy rather than secret deals. He also proposed creating a League of Nations to provide collective security and a forum to resolve disputes without resorting to war. These elements reflect a vision of lasting peace achieved through fairness, openness, and international cooperation.

Seeing it this way explains why the other ideas don’t fit: something focused on total victory and harsh terms contradicts the cooperative tone of the points; a continuation of imperial dominance and secret treaties clashes with open diplomacy and self-determination; and a focus solely on domestic reform with no international institutions ignores the international framework Wilson advocated.