World War I Comes to an End

A Flawed Peace January 1919 January countries 27 countries Treaty of Versailles Treaty of Versailles Lasted 5 months Lasted 5 months Big Four: US, France, Italy, Britain Big Four: US, France, Italy, Britain Russia not invited to conference – others refused to recognize this as a legitimate government Russia not invited to conference – others refused to recognize this as a legitimate government

Fourteen Points Wilson believed this would bring lasting peace Wilson believed this would bring lasting peace “The principle of justice to all people and nationalities” “The principle of justice to all people and nationalities” First 5: eliminate the causes of war through free trade, freedom of the seas, disarmament and impartial adjustment of colonial claims, open diplomacy First 5: eliminate the causes of war through free trade, freedom of the seas, disarmament and impartial adjustment of colonial claims, open diplomacy

Fourteen Points Next 8 points: National Self Determination Next 8 points: National Self Determination Borders should be based on ethnicity and national identify Borders should be based on ethnicity and national identify No nation can keep territory taken from another nation No nation can keep territory taken from another nation 14 th Point – League of Nations 14 th Point – League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles Wilson was popular in Europe Wilson was popular in Europe Was willing to give up some of 14 points to get the League of Nations Was willing to give up some of 14 points to get the League of Nations Other Allied Powers wanted to punish Germany Other Allied Powers wanted to punish Germany

Treaty of Versailles Treaty included many terms to weaken Germany Treaty included many terms to weaken Germany Army forces were greatly reduced in size Army forces were greatly reduced in size Germany was not allowed to put troops west of the Rhine River Germany was not allowed to put troops west of the Rhine River Treaty blamed Germany for the war Treaty blamed Germany for the war

Treaty of Versailles When Germany signed the treaty they admitted they were responsible for the war When Germany signed the treaty they admitted they were responsible for the war Reparations – made Germany pay for damages during the war Reparations – made Germany pay for damages during the war Would keep Germany’s economy weak for a long time Would keep Germany’s economy weak for a long time

Treaty of Versailles Wilson had some success with self- determination Wilson had some success with self- determination Four empires were dismantled Four empires were dismantled Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russian Empire, German Empire, Ottoman Empire Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russian Empire, German Empire, Ottoman Empire 9 new nations: Austria, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Yugoslavia 9 new nations: Austria, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Yugoslavia

Treaty of Versailles Many of Wilson’s 14 points were left out of treaty Many of Wilson’s 14 points were left out of treaty He did achieve his primary goal though and the League of Nations was included He did achieve his primary goal though and the League of Nations was included

Senate Rejects Treaty Need 2/3s of Senate to sign Treaty Need 2/3s of Senate to sign Treaty Senate was now Republican Senate was now Republican Irreconcilables – opposition to treaty, no matter what Irreconcilables – opposition to treaty, no matter what Reservationists – willing to support if some changes to League of Nations were made Reservationists – willing to support if some changes to League of Nations were made

Treaty of Versailles Reservationists were worried that they would be forced to war without Congress’ consent Reservationists were worried that they would be forced to war without Congress’ consent Congress never signed treaty Congress never signed treaty When Wilson left office the US negotiated peace with each Central Power When Wilson left office the US negotiated peace with each Central Power League of Nations existed, just without the US League of Nations existed, just without the US