Treaty of Versailles and the End of WWI
Wilson’s 14 Points No secret treaties among countries Freedom of the seas Low tariffs to support economic development Reduce arms and weapons Self-determination- right of people to determine what is best for them Ethnic groups in Europe League of Nations- promote and maintain peace
What Britain and France Wanted Blame Germany for war Make Germany pay for damages- reparations France take over Alsace-Lorraine region
Provisions of Treaty of Versailles War Guilt Clause- Germany blamed for the war and must accept full responsibility Germany must pay reparations to France, Britain and US for damages caused during war ($33 Billion) League of Nations created- hope to maintain peace and prevent another war Germany not allowed to build an army France gain the Alsace-Lorraine region- big industrial area on border with Germany Germany stripped of colonial possessions
Other Provisions New Nations Created Austria and Hungary two separate nations Yugoslavia Czechoslovakia Poland Finland Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia Turkey- former part of Ottoman Empire
Europe after WWI
US Reaction to Treaty of Versailles United States Treaty will not be ratified in US Senate Henry Cabot Lodge- lead vote in Senate to reject Treaty US will not join League of Nations US will be isolationist after WWI- will not no part of events in Europe
Europe’s Economy Germany Embarrassed by treatment Unable to pay reparations Lead them to a Economic Depression