Chapter 19, Section 3 Wilson, War, and Peace

America Gives the Allies the Edge Stalemate along the Western Front in France US was the “great unknown” Could US raise, train, equip and deploy an army fast enough to influence the outcome of the war? In anticipation, Germany renewed unrestricted submarine warfare Allied forces felt the impact immediately

Allied Convoys Protect Shipping Allies lost crucial supplies Formed convoys—groups of merchant ships that sailed together—offered protection from German submarines

The Allies Struggle Exhausted by years of fighting Russia—March 1917, moderate democratic revolution overthrew Czar Nicholas II, but Russia kept fighting November 1917, radical communists led by Vladimir Lenin again revolted and gained control of Russia Russia quit fighting in Mid-December March 3, 1918—treaty ended the war between Germany and Russia ending the war on the Eastern Front Spring 1918 Germany launched a fierce offensive on the Western front Allies organize under the command of French General Ferdinand Foch

American Troops join the fight June 1917 American troops, under the command of General John J. Pershing, arrive in France Early 1918 large numbers of American troops arrive Germans exhausted and overwhelmed Offensives were turned-back; momentum stalled Americans troops 1st on the defensive—2nd Battle of Marne And then on the offensive—Battle of Cantigny American troops learned quickly and fought bravely American War hero—Alvin York of Tennessee 369th Infantry of African-American soldiers earned the Croix de Guerre—French award for bravery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmRRhxo0RHc

Wilson Promotes Peace Without Victory Lenin called the war nothing more than an imperialistic land-grab Exposed secret treaties that Russia had made with the other Allies in which they agreed to divide the empires of their enemies The righteousness of the war came under scrutiny To Wilson, the war was never about economic gain, it was about preserving peace and freedom January 22, 1917, Wilson delivered a speech to Congress entitled, “Peace Without Victory” (US declared war on Germany April 2, 1917) Wilson Delivered his 14-Points speech on January 8, 1918. He answered Lenin’s charges and gave Germany some hope for peace with honor

Wilson’s 14-Points Wilson delivered a speech to Congress Jan. 8, 1918 Promoted openness—Transparency Encouraged independence Supported freedom Seas Trade Self-determination—the of people to choose their own form of government Moved toward ending colonialism Critical of: Secret treaties or deals Supported open diplomacy Supported the creation of a League of Nations

The War Ends November 11, 1918 Germany surrendered 1.3 million American soldiers served 50,000 died 230,000 were wounded 5 million Allied and million Central Powers troops died 6.5 million civilians died

Peace Conference at Versailles, Jan. 18, 1919 Wilson went himself with a delegation—no other President had ever done that Left behind Senator Henry Cabot Lodge (a foreign policy expert) Wilson was idealistic and his idealism didn’t impress the Allied leaders The “Big Four” Woodrow Wilson—US David Lloyd George—Britain Vittorio Emanuele Orland0—Italy Georges Clemenceau—France Insisted that Germany make reparations

Allies Create a League of Nations 3 of the “Big Four” chipped away at Wilson’s 14-Points Lost freedom of the seas Free Trade Liberation of colonial holdings General disarmament Wilson wouldn’t compromise on the League of Nations part of the treaty Treaty signed June 28, 1919

Problems with the Peace National self-determination ignored Groups of Germans found themselves attached to non- German nations Same for Austrian nations Break up of the Ottoman Empire resulted in diverse ethnic groups being clustered together randomly with no consideration of religious or ethnic differences It was a mess

America Rejects the Treaty German-Americans thought the treaty was punitive Irish-Americans disappointed that the treaty didn’t address an independent Ireland Republican –controlled Senate Foreign Relations Committee not likely to support it Republican-controlled Senate not likely to ratify it Irreconcilables (senators) opposed the League of Nations Reservationists (senators) opposed the way the treaty was written Article 10 and declaration of war Sept. 25, 1919, President Wilson suffered a stroke

Senate Rejects the Versailles Treaty The United States never ratified the Treaty of Versailles, nor did it join the League of Nations Instead, in 1921 Congress approved resolutions formally ending hostilities with Germany and the Austro- Hungarian government This weakened the League of Nations Without US support, they were unable to maintain peace among nations

The Treaty Signed on 28 June 1919—exactly 5 years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand German concessions: War Guilt Territorial changes 25,000 sq mi 7,000,000 people  Renounce sovereignty over former colonies Military restrictions Demobilize personnel Reduce arms, equipment Reparations—Compensate the Allied Powers $400 billion US dollars in todays dollars (10.10.2010—92 years later) Guarantees—Allied occupation

German Reparations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YJfOZkriyk&list=PLgfJ3DcAMg_z5FQrOeNu-4AXywz-XMfDB