Question

Read the passage from President Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” speech.

What we demand in this war . . . is that the world be made fit and safe to live in; and particularly that it be made safe for every peace-loving nation which, like our own, wishes to live its own life, determine its own institutions, be assured of justice and fair dealing by the other peoples of the world as against force and selfish aggression.

Which of Wilson’s ideological beliefs does this passage describe?

the belief that nations could prevent future conflicts through self-determination
the right of every country to use self-determination to govern itself
the desire to dismantle countries that threaten the right of self-determination
the right of every country to use self-determination to boost its economy

Answer 1

the right of every country to use self-determination to govern itself

Explanation: Wilson’s wording—“wishes to live its own life, determine its own institutions”—directly expresses support for nations’ right to self-determination.