World War I and Peace

What do you remember about Woodrow Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy”?

During his State of the Union Address in January, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson attempted to frame WWI in terms of that “Moral Diplomacy.”

His speech has come to be known as: The Fourteen Points

Wilson had two goals with this speech: 1. Take steps to address the specific causes that forced the nations of Europe to go to war and in doing so hopefully destroy the possibility of war itself. 2. Explain to Americans why we needed to get involved in what was essentially a European conflict, and get the public to fully support America’s war effort.

For Wilson, the 14th point was the single most important. To that end, Wilson brought forth fourteen specific things that he believed would allow the world to prevent another war. Most of them addressed specific things that pushed Europe to war in 1914. For Wilson, the 14th point was the single most important.

Wilson argued that the best way to prevent another war would be for countries to create a “League of Nations.” This League would: - Allow nations a forum to solve problems through diplomacy. - Allow member nations to pressure one another into avoiding war.

Average Americans were excited by Wilson’s suggestion that this war would be the “war to end all war.” People across the nation embraced the cause as a moral crusade to destroy war and save global civilization.

Beginning in 1917, US “doughboys” helped turn the tide against the Central Powers in Europe.

Because of U.S. intervention, by August 1918, the Germans were in full retreat and were negotiating for peace.

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, Germany agreed to stop fighting. The war was over.

The leaders of France, Britain, and the United States met to hammer out a suitable treaty for Germany’s surrender. George Clemenceau France Woodrow Wilson U.S. David Lloyd-George Great Britain

President Wilson’s goal was to secure his Fourteen Points, especially the formation of a League of Nations. The citizens of Europe and America supported him.

However, the governments of Britain and France had a very different agenda.

Over the course of the war, they had lost hundreds of thousands of lives and had spent millions of dollars. They wanted someone to pay for those losses.

As such, Britain and France wanted to punish Germany for the damage done during the war. They hoped to place the entire blame for starting the war squarely with the Germans. They also hoped to destroy Germany’s power believing that a weak Germany would be easier to manage in the future..

The three major leaders worked out a peace settlement known as. . . The Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles 1. Germany was forced to give up land to France, Poland, Belgium, and Denmark. This placed many German speaking peoples under the power and control of foreign governments. 2. This smaller Germany was to then establish a democratic government where they people of Germany would elect their government.

The Treaty of Versailles 3. All German colonies and territories were divided up between Great Britain, France, and other allied powers. 4. The size of the German military was severely restricted. Germany could have no aircraft, submarines or position any troops along its western border.

The Treaty of Versailles 5. Germany had to sign a statement that said they were solely responsible for starting the war. This is known as the “war guilt clause.” And because they were “responsible” they had to pay the Britain, France, and the US a total of $31 Billion in reparations.

The Treaty of Versailles 6. The allied powers agreed to create a League of Nations in which Great Britain, the United States, France, Italy, and Japan would help prevent future global problems through negotiation and diplomatic pressure.

President Wilson did not like the harsh punishments imposed upon Germany. He believed they clashed with his “moral diplomacy.”

If he didn’t like what Britain and France proposed, why did he go along with them?

For Wilson, the war was about securing lasting peace and democracy, and he believed the League of Nations was the only way to get the job done.

So, he accepted the demands of Britain and France because they accepted his proposal of the League of Nations.

Under the Constitution, in order for the United States to formally sign the Treaty and join the League of Nations, the U.S. Senate had to approve.

The Senate was led by Henry Cabot Lodge who, along with a number of Senators, had specific reservations or objections to U.S. involvement in the League of Nations and to the Treaty of Versailles.

Since 1823, and the Monroe Doctrine, what had been America’s attitude about European affairs?

Once war was over, many in the nation wanted to go back to that policy Once war was over, many in the nation wanted to go back to that policy. “Europe will do its thing over there, we’ll do our thing over here.”

Those opposed to the Treaty argued that the League of Nations would constantly get the U.S. involved in European and World affairs.

They also argued that the League would take away the Constitutional power of the House and Senate in terms of foreign affairs.

Under the US Constitution, only Congress could declare war. Members of the Senate argued that if America was a member of the League, and the League moved to go to war, the United States would be obligated to go too.

Largely because of these concerns, in November, 1919 the US Senate officially rejected the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations.

Many Americans were disappointed with the failure of the U. S Many Americans were disappointed with the failure of the U.S. to bring about the idealistic goals of Wilson’s 14 Points and to secure “moral diplomacy” protecting freedom and democracy.

They looked at how the powers of Europe treated Germany and were dismayed by what they saw. As a result, many people retreated to a position of non-intervention in world affairs, an attitude that would dominate foreign policy in the 1920’s.

The League of Nations formed without the membership of the United States and attempted to keep the peace in Europe and the rest of the world.

Little did the League of Nations know, that as Germany was being punished under the Treaty of Versailles, a failed Austrian painter and soldier was on his way to plotting a rise to power using that very Treaty. Adolph Hitler (1919)

Fin.