Wilson’s 14 Points; US Rejects Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations

Wilson proposed a post-war settlement based on moral principles, not on selfish nationalism or imperialism He wanted WWI to be the war “to end all wars.” He wanted to help construct a “new order” based on democratic principles, and progressive ideals. He wanted a “peace among equals” a “peace without victory”: he wanted “self-determination among all nations” He hoped this ideal vision would be maintained through the League of Nations

Of the 14 Points, 5 were broad 1. Open diplomacy, an end to secret negotiations 2. Freedom of the seas for all nations 3. Reduction of armaments 4. Removal of barriers to free trade 5. Impartial adjustment to colonial claims

8 Points were specific, dealing with national self-determination - German evacuation of Russian territory Restoration of Belgian sovereignty - Return of Alsace-Lorraine to France - Restoration of land to Italy Autonomy to the nations under Austrian and Ottoman control Evacuation of Rumania, Serbia, Montenegro Sovereignty of Turkey guaranteed Create a new independent Poland

The 14th and crowning Point called for the formation of “a general assembly of nations to afford mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity.” Again, Wilson’s goals were to: Eliminate the causes of WWI (Imperialism, Nationalism, Militarism, System of Alliances) Create a Just and Lasting Peace: No Punishment, especially of Germany – don’t create bitterness that might cause WWII Maintain world peace through a League of Nations

Wilson’s 14 Points I. Open covenants of peace, openly arrived at, after which there shall be no private international understandings of any kind but diplomacy shall proceed always frankly and in the public view. II. Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters, alike in peace and in war, except as the seas may be closed in whole or in part by international action for the enforcement of international covenants.

III. The removal, so far as possible, of all economic barriers and the establishment of an equality of trade conditions among all the nations consenting to the peace and associating themselves for its maintenance. IV. Adequate guarantees given and taken that national armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety.

V. A free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims, based upon a strict observance of the principle that in determining all such questions of sovereignty the interests of the populations concerned must have equal weight with the equitable claims of the government whose title is to be determined.

VI. The evacuation of all Russian territory and such a settlement of all questions affecting Russia as will secure the best and freest cooperation of the other nations of the world in obtaining for her an unhampered and unembarrassed opportunity for the independent determination of her own political development and national policy and assure her of a sincere welcome into the society of free nations under institutions of her own choosing; and, more than a welcome, assistance also of every kind that she may need and may herself desire. The treatment accorded Russia by her sister nations in the months to come will be the acid test of their good will, of their comprehension of her needs as distinguished from their own interests, and of their intelligent and unselfish sympathy.

VII. Belgium, the whole world will agree, must be evacuated and restored, without any attempt to limit the sovereignty which she enjoys in common with all other free nations. No other single act will serve as this will serve to restore confidence among the nations in the laws which they have themselves set and determined for the government of their relations with one another. Without this healing act the whole structure and validity of international law is forever impaired.

VIII. All French territory should be freed and the invaded portions restored, and the wrong done to France by Prussia in 1871 in the matter of Alsace-Lorraine, which has unsettled the peace of the world for nearly fifty years, should be righted, in order that peace may once more be made secure in the interest of all.

IX. A readjustment of the frontiers of Italy should be effected along clearly recognizable lines of nationality. X. The peoples of Austria-Hungary, whose place among the nations we wish to see safeguarded and assured, should be accorded the freest opportunity to autonomous development.

XI. Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro should be evacuated; occupied territories restored; Serbia accorded free and secure access to the sea; and the relations of the several Balkan states to one another determined by friendly counsel along historically established lines of allegiance and nationality; and international guarantees of the political and economic independence and territorial integrity of the several Balkan states should be entered into.

XII. The Turkish portion of the present Ottoman Empire should be assured a secure sovereignty, but the other nationalities which are now under Turkish rule should be assured an undoubted security of life and an absolutely unmolested opportunity of autonomous development, and the Dardanelles should be permanently opened as a free passage to the ships and commerce of all nations under international guarantees.

XIII. An independent Polish state should be erected which should include the territories inhabited by indisputably Polish populations, which should be assured a free and secure access to the sea, and whose political and economic independence and territorial integrity should be guaranteed by international covenant. XIV. A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike.

Most of the points were rejected by the other 3 of the Big Four: George / Britain, Orlando / Italy, Clemenceau / France: wanted to “hang the Kaiser” and “make Germany pay” – were elected, before the Conference, based on these promises They felt that the US had not been that impacted by the war - not fought on US soil, US only in the war for last year or so - so they felt the US didn’t understand the depth of anger…rejected points 1-13 The final product - Treaty of Versailles severely punished Germany: War Guilt Clause, $33b in reparations, loss of colonies, small army of 100,000 men, no submarines in her navy, no air-force.. But Point 14 – League of Nations – was accepted – was part of Treaty – Treaty and League were intertwined…

US Rejects Treaty / League Wilson’s arguments in favor of accepting Treaty and League: World peace was at stake; US contribution was crucial to maintaining world peace US foreign policy would not be compromised by decisions made by the League (Article X…all members to abide by decisions once they were made) US was a Permanent member of the Executive Council and could vote against war (veto): decisions had to be unanimous

Arguments against acceptance of Treaty and League The US had helped end the war and now should concern itself with its own affairs (semi isolationism) Membership of the League would compromise US foreign policy decisions (Article X – we would have to go along with decisions – would be morally bound, in spite of ability to use veto) The League might undermine the Monroe Doctrine… interfere in Western Hemisphere The Treaty was too harsh on Germany…$33b in reparations, small army, no submarines, no air force, War Guilt Clause….too bitter, would have consequences

Wilson campaigned vigorously and gave 37 speeches in 29 cities in a span of only three weeks. He declared that US soldiers should not have died in vain. After a dramatic speech in Colorado he collapsed. His health had been poor for six months and the strain of the trip was too much. He was rushed back to Washington and a few days later had a massive stroke. For the next year and a half he was incapable of running the government but was protected by his wife and closest advisors.

The opposition came from two groups: the “Irreconcilables,” who refused to accept the Treaty and join the League of Nations under any circumstances, and The “Reservationists,” led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Henry Cabot Lodge, who were willing to ratify the treaty with amendments (mostly to Article X, and punishment – Wilson refused to try to have it changed – probably a lost cause anyway) In a final Senate vote on March 19, 1920, the Treaty of Versailles fell short of ratification by seven votes. Wilson might have been able to get more support if he had been more flexible, willing to compromise on details of the Treaty / League (could have tried to negotiate based on suggestions of Reservationists, less antagonistic to Republicans (didn’t take any to Versailles)

U. S. Govt. signed the Treaty of Berlin on August 25, 1921 U.S. Govt. signed the Treaty of Berlin on August 25, 1921. This was a separate peace treaty with Germany; stipulated that the US would enjoy all “rights, privileges, indemnities, reparations or advantages” conferred to it by the Treaty of Versailles, but left out any mention of the League of Nations, which the US never joined Without US involvement in the League (Wilson’s brain- child) the League was weak and lacked credibility (not having an army to enforce its decisions was another huge weakness)

Ratification of Treaty and League or Not? With a partner: Read the issues #1 to #4 from Great Debates Take notes on each position on the 4 issues What is your opinion on each issue – for or against……explain why? Overall, which side are you on – ratification or not……explain why Answer discussion questions 1-4 pg. 216