World War I – Making Peace

The Costs of War The human and material costs of the war were staggering. Estimated 9 million men killed in battle. Estimated 18 million were disabled for life. Estimated between 6 to 13 million civilians died. In 1918, a deadly pandemic (the spread of a disease across a large area) of influenza struck the entire world. It killed more than 20 million people.

The Financial Toll Battle zones in France, Russia and anywhere the war was fought were reduced to rubble. People returned home to find they had nothing and had to rebuild. Rebuilding and paying for the war (war debt) were going to be extremely expensive. People became very bitter towards Germany & Austria-Hungary.

The Financial Toll How much did the war cost Germany? $60 billion Note: Germany was forced to pay $30 billion in reparations (payment for war damage).

The Financial Toll Based on having to pay $60 billion in war costs AND $30 billion in reparations, what effect might the total costs of war have on Germany in the future? Answer: It would harm Germany’s economy and make recovery very difficult. It would also cause resentment…and, it made it possible for a new dictator to rise…HITLER!

Placing the Blame The Allies: Blamed the conflict on their defeated enemies (Germany, Austria-Hungary, & the Ottoman Empire). Wanted them to pay reparations. The Central Powers: Claimed the armistice (cease- fire) was not a surrender. They were surprised they were being viewed as “defeated” and angry about paying reparations.

Political Turmoil Under the stress of war, governments had collapsed in Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. Political radicals (people who wanted to make extreme change) wanted a new social order and new kind of government. Many feared the spread of communism.

Political Turmoil The European colonies in Africa and Asia realized imperial powers were not as powerful as they had seemed before the war. Colonial troops that fought in the war came home with dreams of independence.

The Paris Peace Conference: Conflicting Goals The Allies met at the Paris Peace Conference to discuss the fate of Europe. The Central Powers and Russia were not allowed to take part in the negotiations. Why? Answer: The Central Powers were the first to declare war and Russia had left the war in 1918.

The Paris Peace Conference: Conflicting Goals Three leaders would decide the fate of Europe: David Lloyd George – British Prime Minister Promised his people he would rebuild Britain. Georges Clemenceau (KLEM un soh)– France Wanted to punish and weaken Germany so it could never attack them again.

The Paris Peace Conference: Conflicting Goals President Wilson – United States Dedicated and stubbornly convinced that he was right. Wanted “peace without victory” based on his Fourteen Points.

Fourteen Points: Key Principles What are the key Principles of the Fourteen Points? 1. Self-Determination: Nationalities should have the right to establish their own governments. 2. “Peace Without Victory:” The peace settlement should be generous and should not bitterly punish the losing nations. 3. Disarmament: Nations should disarm and end militarism (glorification of the military)

Fourteen Points: Key Principles 4. Fair treatment of colonial people: Colonial powers should protect their colonies. 5. Establishment of a League of Nations: The formation of an international organization to settle nation-to-nation disputes. *Note – Wilson hoped this would end secret treaties and alliances like those that led to WWI.

The Paris Peace Conference: Problems with the Peace Self-Determination: Other countries were making their own demands at the Paris Peace Conference. Italy wanted the Allies to honor their secret agreement to give the land that Austria- Hungary lost in the war to them.

The Paris Peace Conference: Problems with the Peace This violated the principle of Self- Determination. How? These lands and others (like in Russia & the Ottoman Empire) wanted their own governments. They did not want to live under someone else’s rule. Sometimes their territories overlapped, making it impossible to satisfy everyone.

The Paris Peace Conference: Problems with the Peace So, Wilson had to compromise on his Fourteen Points. He did NOT compromise on the principle of a League of Nations.

The Treaty of Versailles (vur SY) In June, 1919 – Germany was ordered to sign the treaty of Versailles. German delegates were horrified. How did the Treaty of Versailles punish Germany?

The Treaty of Versailles The treaty forced Germany to assume full blame for causing the war and made them pay $30 billion in reparations (about $2.7 trillion today). Severely limited the size of the German military. Returned Alsace and Lorraine to France. Took land from Western and Eastern Germany. Stripped Germany of its overseas colonies. Made Germans living in other countries return to Germany or Austria.

The Treaty of Versailles The Germans signed because they had no choice. German resentment of the Treaty of Versailles would poison the international climate for 20 years. It would help spark an even deadlier world war in the years to come…World War II.

Outcome of the Peace Settlements New nations emerged where the German, Austrian, and Russian empires had once ruled. Poland became an independent nation after more than 100 years of foreign rule. The Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia received their independence. Three new republics arose – Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Hungary. A new Slavic state, Yugoslavia, was created.

The League of Nations Offers Hope More than 40 nations joined the League. They agreed to negotiate disputes rather than engage in war. They agreed to take action against any aggressor together as a group (common action).

The League of Nations Offers Hope BUT… The United States Senate, led by Henry Cabot Lodge, did not want to sign the treaty. The U.S. did not want to be obligated to fight in future wars. Many Americans who lost family members in the war felt the same way.

The League of Nations Offers Hope President Wilson would not compromise on the “common action” clause. The Senate refused to ratify (approve) the treaty and the United States never joined the League. Without the U.S., the League’s power was weakened and it had no power over non- member states. Still, the concept of an international organization dedicated to peace for all people was a step towards the future. USE before the Historian presentation on this topic.

The League of Nations Offers Hope Why did the United States refuse to join the League of Nations? Answer: They did not want to be obligated to fight in future wars.