Question

We have no jealousy of German greatness, and there is nothing in this programme that impairs it. We grudge her no achievement or distinction of learning or of pacific enterprise such as have made her record very bright and very enviable. We do not wish to injure her or to block in any way her legitimate influence or power. We do not wish to fight her either with arms or with hostile arrangements of trade if she is willing to associate herself with us and the other peace-loving nations of the world in covenants of justice and law and fair dealing. We wish her only to accept a place of equality among the peoples of the world, – the new world in which we now live, – instead of a place of mastery.

–“Fourteen Points,”
President Woodrow Wilson,
January 8, 1918

Which statement best explains Wilson’s position on Germany?
a ) Germany should not be made to suffer in order to bring about peace.
b ) Germany should be prevented from exerting any influence in the future.
c ) Germany should be punished for starting World War I.
d ) Germany has been unfairly blamed for its role in the war.

Answer 1

A

Step-by-step explanation:

Throughout the passage, Wilson continually reemphasizes not wishing to harm or impair Germany in any way but instead for Germany to "associate herself with us and the other peace-loving nations of the world."

Why the other answers are incorrect:

b) Wilson does "not wish to...block in any way [Germany's] influence or power." This directly contradicts the choice of Option B.

c) Wilson mentions nothing about a punishment

d) Wilson recalls Germany's "record [to be] very bright and very enviable." He does not imply that Germany has been unfairly blamed for its role in the war, but that their reputation of "greatness" in this context is very widely known, meaning Germany's action of "starting" the war is not forgotten, but the only way to achieve peace is to come together.