Final answer:
Woodrow Wilson's 14 points were a set of principles aimed at preventing future wars by promoting free trade, diplomacy, self-determination, and disarmament. However, the Allied leaders rejected many of Wilson's ideas and compromised on the points in the Treaty of Versailles. The resulting resentment and economic struggles in Germany contributed to the outbreak of World War II.
Step-by-step explanation:
Woodrow Wilson's 14 points were a set of principles intended to prevent future wars by promoting free trade, diplomacy, national self-determination, and disarmament. The first five points addressed the causes of World War I, while the subsequent eight points dealt with boundary changes and self-determination for countries involved in the war. The final point called for the creation of an international organization, the League of Nations, to mediate disputes and prevent future conflicts.
Unfortunately, Wilson was met with resistance from the Allied leaders who sought to make Germany pay for its actions. The Allies rejected many of Wilson's ideas, and in return for their acceptance of the League of Nations, Wilson had to concede on most of his points. This resulted in a compromised version of the 14 points being included in the Treaty of Versailles, which did not fulfill Wilson's initial vision.
Wilson believed that if the 14 Points were not adopted, the world would continue to experience conflicts and wars driven by secret alliances and the desire for territorial gain. However, the compromised version of the 14 points in the Treaty of Versailles did not address the underlying issues and led to resentment and economic struggles in Germany, ultimately contributing to the rise of Nazism and World War II.