End of World War 1 Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: ended war between Russia and Germany in March of 1918 – Russia dealing with communist revolution Armistace ends fighting on all fronts Nov. 11, 1918 Nations send representatives to Paris to negotiate end of war

The Big 3 Georges Clemenceau (France) – wanted to cripple Germany – owed $ to US Lloyd George (England) – wanted to punish Germany but wanted a trade partner – owed $ to US Woodrow Wilson (US) – wanted peace with honor (peace as equals) Germany and Russia not invited as participants

Wilson’s 14 points Abolish secret treaties Freedom of seas Free Trade Disarmament Decolonization and self-determination Assurances to Russia for development Restore Belgium to pre-war status

Wilson’s 14 points Return Alsace-Lorraine to France from Germany Redraw Italian borders based on nationality Autonomous development of Austria-Hungary De-occupation of Balkans – give Serbia access to Adriatic Sovereignty to Turkey Independent Poland with sea access Creation of League of Nations

Wilson’s points not well received by rest of Big 3 Only #14 – League of Nations officially included in Treaty Ironically, League of Nations become sticking point in US. The Senate refused to ratify treaty out of fear of being drawn into future European conflicts US would negotiate a separate peace with Germany in 1921

Terms of the Treaty of Versailles Demilitarization – limited to 100k troops; 6 each battleships, cruisers, destroyers; banned production of military planes, tanks, armored cars and poison gas Loss of land – Alsace-Lorraine returned to France (permanently), western Prussia given to Poland, Saarland transferred to League of Nations, loss of overseas colonies

Terms of the Treaty of Versailles Reparations – Germany must repay 6.6B in cash, steel, coal, produce. Goods were included to offset changing value of currency due to inflation War Guilt Clause – Germany forced to accept blame for starting the war “Stab in the Back” – German belief the military had been let down by politicians