The Impact of WWI

Wilson’s Fourteen Points Outlined America’s aims for the war and proved that America wanted “peace without victory” Biggest Points were 1-5 and 14: covenants of peace freedom of the seas for trade and navigation remove trade barriers reduction of armaments self determination which allows people to choose their own form of government 14th Point: set up an association of nations to promote peace and prevent another world war…will become the League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles Allied leaders met at Versailles to reestablish peace in Europe (rather punish Germany) Leaders were the “Big Four” Woodrow Wilson from America British Prime Minister David Lloyd George French Premier Georges Clemenceau Italian Premier Vittorio Orlando (became an ally) Blame Germany for the war Made Germany pay war reparations (payment for war damages) Big Four set up the League of Nations (only point they accepted out of Wilson’s 14) as an organization for countries to peacefully solve problems

Opposition to Treaty Treaty of Versailles was not well liked by the American Senate because they believed it would lead to future involvement in foreign affairs But Wilson needed Congress to approve the treaty Many didn’t even like the fact that America got in the war to start with…isolationists Others just didn’t like parts of the Treaty…too many foreign entanglements (alliances) Was not ratified…meant that the League of Nations was not powerful because US was not a member

Dawes Plan The reparation payments proved to be too much for Germany and they defaulted (couldn’t pay) Plan was devised in which the money would be paid in annual payments and set up a Bank of Germany…worked until Great Depression Germany is not happy…especially Adolf Hitler…will lead to his rise of power

Effects of the War Flu Epidemic made the adjustment to peace even harder African Americans and Women lost all their gains when jobs became competitive again Inflation (rising prices) made it hard for people to buy consumer goods and pay debts

Palmer Raids The Red Scare: A wave of widespread fear of suspected communists radicals thought to be plotting a revolution within the US This fear was created after the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia To combat this Attorney General Palmer led a series of raids in which police arrested thousands of people…some radicals while some were just immigrants Italians Sacco and Vanzetti were suspected of being anarchists…supposedly killed two people…were executed even though there was no hard evidence

Return to Normalcy Warren G. Harding was elected on the campaign of “return to normalcy” A time before Wilson, progressive reform and world wars and world affairs when things were “normal” Rejected Wilson’s ideas of Americas role in world affairs

Washington Naval Conference Held by President Harding outside of the constraints of the League of Nations A disarmament conference in which countries in attendance agreed to slow down the militarism (stop stockpiling weapons), navy in specific