Winning the War, Debating the Peace Mrs. Housenick US History 11/6/12

Americans Enter Combat (1917) Nearly 2 million American troops entered the war “Doughboys”— largely inexperienced, but fresh and willing to fight Presence boosted the morale of Allied forces

Russia Leaves the War (1918) Russia suffered a lot during the war, people wanted out. Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks overthrew the Russian government and established a Communist government Lenin signed Treaty with Germany to end the war early.

The War Ends A revolution broke out in Austria-Hungary. Germans realized they would soon lose their ally. The people forced the German emperor out of power and protested for an end to the war. Finally, on November 11, 1918, Germany signed an armistice or cease-fire.

Negotiating for Peace Paris, 1919—the “Big Four” met to discuss the terms of the peace treaty. Britain, France, Italy and the U.S. Germany was NOT invited to participate!

Wilson’s Fourteen Points President’s plan for peace Came out of idea of moral diplomacy Based on desire to eliminate the general causes of war Called for free trade, disarmament, freedom of the seas, open diplomacy, countries to give colonies independence #14 called for “a general association of nations”---THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS—TO HELP PRESERVE THE PEACE AND PREVENT FUTURE WARS.

The Treaty of Versailles (1919) Allied governments didn’t like Wilson’s plans—they wanted to punish Germany more severely. Treaty took away the German air force, made the Germans pay $33 billion in war reparations, and made Germany admit total guilt for the war. Europe still planned on creating the League of Nations.

The US Senate Rejects the Treaty Congress hesitant to sign treaty, believe being in the league will bring US into future wars. Many want to return to isolationism. Wilson traveled across US to convince the people to ratify the treaty. In the end, Senate rejected the treaty and the US was not a part of the League of Nations!