Objective: To analyze Wilson’s peace plan and the Versailles Treaty. Palace of Versailles

Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Poland 2) How did Russia change? 1) Which new nations bordered Russia? Five new countries were formed out of former Russian territory. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Poland

Europe: Pre-World War I Europe: Post-World War I 3) What happened to Austria-Hungary? The empire was broken up into the countries of Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia 3) What happened to Austria-Hungary?

Wilson’s Plan for Peace President Wilson’s goals for peace after World War I, known as the Fourteen Points, included the following. · an end to secret agreements among nations · freedom of the seas, free trade, and a limit on arms · allow national groups self-determination He personally went to Paris to lead the delegation. He didn’t trust anyone else to speak for him. Unfortunately, his choice of travelling companions would come back to bite him. · formation of a League of Nations in order to protect the independence of all nations and settle international disputes

- Germany was forced to: Versailles Treaty - Germany was forced to: · take full blame for the war · completely disarm · pay huge reparations to the Allies · give up it’s colonies to the Allies Germany and Austria were forbidden from forming a union, Germany had to turn over its fleet to Britain. Germans were given no part in the negotiation. They were called to Versailles to sign. They brought their own pens * Germany was an angry, humiliated nation, setting the stage for World War II.

- Based on the goal of self-determination, many new nations were formed. Examples: Finland, Poland, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia

- The Allies agreed to form the League of Nations.

Treaty of Versailles Ends World War I (1:56)

The Senate and the Treaty Criticisms of the Versailles Treaty: · some said it was too soft on the defeated powers · many thought it was too harsh, especially German Americans · many opposed the League of Nations because they wanted the U.S. to stay out of world affairs

Senator Henry Cabot Lodge objected to many parts of the treaty for the following reasons. · Lodge believed that the League of Nations should not have to protect any nation whose territory was threatened. · He believed that the U.S. should remain independent of the League of Nations. · He also felt that Congress should have the power to decide whether or not to follow the League of Nations. Wilson went on a tour of the US to drum up support for the Treaty. Remember, 2/3 of the Senate needs to approve a treaty. While he’s out there, he becomes very ill and has to go home. He had a major stroke a couple days later.

* Pres. Wilson refused to compromise on the treaty. * In November of 1919 the Senate rejected the Versailles Treaty. Republicans added amendments – Wilson refused. Paris and Britain even asked him to consider it. But he refused.

Wilson's League for Peace (10:04)