Wilson proposes “autonomous development” for several ethnic groups. This means that the people have control over themselves. A person or group who is autonomous makes their own decisions freely and independently. For Wilson, the idea of autonomous development connects with the nationalist belief that each ethnic group should have its own state. That independence allows a group to develop and protect its culture and heritage. Autonomous development in this speech implies the right of people to choose to form their own countries. It is, however, not explicitly defined. The ambiguity in the term allows some room for later negotiation. Perhaps several small groups could be joined in a single country (as happened after the war with Yugoslavia) or a group could have a protected, semi-independent status within a larger country.

One of Wilson’s most common words is the adjective “frank.” The word means honest and not hiding secret agendas. Wilson uses the word both as a compliment for his allies and as a vision for what future diplomacy must be like. It connects with Wilson’s desire for a democratic world working together to solve problems without war. On a practical level, secret deals between leaders helped cause World War I.