When the war was over the peace talks were held at the palace of Versailles in France. When the war was over the peace talks were held at the palace of Versailles in France. European Leaders wanted to Punish the Losers. European Leaders wanted to Punish the Losers. The Treaty of Versailles

The only people at the Peace Table were “The Big Four” Woodrow Wilson – USA David Lloyd George – Great Britain Georges Clemenceau – France Vittorio Orlando – Italy Germany, Austria-hungry and Russia were not invited. 

(Left to right) The “Big Four”: David Lloyd George of Britain, Vittorio Orlando of Italy, Georges Clemenceau of France, and Woodrow Wilson of the United States, the principal architects of the Treaty of Versailles.

The Treaty – 1918 Allies split up all Germany’s Colonies. Germany lost much of its valuable land to other nations. New countries, such as Poland and Czechoslovakia, were created from the Central Powers. Germany had to accept FULL blame for WWI. <- The War Guilt Clause

During WWI

After the Peace Treaty

The Allies Punish Germany! The German army was reduced to 100,000 men. The German army was reduced to 100,000 men. Germany wasn’t allowed to have combat planes. Germany wasn’t allowed to have combat planes. The German Navy was reduced and all subs were to be scuttled or handed over to Britain. The German Navy was reduced and all subs were to be scuttled or handed over to Britain. Production of war goods was banned in Germany. Production of war goods was banned in Germany. Germany was forced to pay Reparations: Payments to the winners for the “total cost” of the WWI. Germany was forced to pay Reparations: Payments to the winners for the “total cost” of the WWI. It was $33 billion! It was $33 billion! Which is approx trillion today!!! Which is approx trillion today!!!

Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points Wilson wanted to “reshape the world” after WWI. Other leaders were interested in enriching themselves and punishing the losers. Wilson wanted to “reshape the world” after WWI. Other leaders were interested in enriching themselves and punishing the losers. Wilson was seen by other leaders as preaching to the world and self-righteous. Wilson was seen by other leaders as preaching to the world and self-righteous. Freedom of the SeasFree Trade Limitations on armiesEnd to secret alliances Right to Self-Rule (Democracy) Five of Fourteen Peace Keeping Aims:

The League of Nations Wilson’s #1 objective at the Peace Conference. Wilson’s #1 objective at the Peace Conference. It was a Gathering of Nations to discuss and resolve problems instead of war. It was a Gathering of Nations to discuss and resolve problems instead of war. It was the only one of his points that he achieved there; however he did consider it the most important of the 14. It was the only one of his points that he achieved there; however he did consider it the most important of the 14.

The U.S. Senate does NOT sign the Treaty of Versailles! Senate was worried it would bring the U.S. into foreign wars. And that it would take away the power of Congress to declare war. U.S. instead signed separate treaties with each of the Central Powers. League of Nations goes into effect without the U.S.