1. Isolationism Following WWI

2. Topic: Foreign Affairs from Imperialism to Post-World War I (1898-1930) The industrial and territorial growth of the United States fostered expansion overseas. Greater involvement in the world set the stage for American participation in World War I and attempts to preserve post-war peace.

3. Content Statement: After WWI, the United States pursued efforts to maintain peace in the world. However, as a result of the national debate over the Versailles Treaty ratification and the League of Nations, the United States moved away from the role of world peacekeeper and limited its involvement in international affairs.

4. Expectations for Learning: Explain why and how the United States moved to a policy of isolationism following World War I.

5. The Big 4 The “Big 4” of the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 were (left to right) Lloyd George of England, Orlando of Italy, Clemenceau of France, and Woodrow Wilson of the U.S.

6. Wilson’s Plan for Peace Woodrow Wilson set forth his plan for a “just peace” Wilson believed that fundamental flaws in international relations created an unhealthy climate that led to the War Wilson’s Fourteen Points outlined his vision for a safer world

7. Wilson’s Fourteen Points The first five points were issues that Wilson believed had to be addressed to prevent another war 1.There should be no secret treaties among nations 2.Freedom of the seas should be maintained for all

8. Wilson’s Fourteen Points 3.Tariffs and other economic barriers among nations should be lowered or abolished in order to foster free trade 4.Arms should be reduced “to the lowest point consistent to domestic safety, thus lessening the possibility of military responses” during diplomatic crisis

9. Wilson’s Fourteen Points 5.Colonial policies should consider the interests of the colonial peoples as well as the interests of the imperialist powers The next eight points dealt with boundary changes

10. Wilson’s Fourteen Points The fourteenth point called for the creation of an international organization to address diplomatic crises like those that sparked the war League of Nations – Would provide a forum for nations to discuss and settle their grievances without having to resort to war Video

11. European Leaders The European leaders were not interested in a “just peace” They were interested in retribution They ignored the Fourteen Points They wanted Germany to admit guilt for the war and pay unlimited reparations The German military was reduced to a domestic police force

12. Treaty of Versailles Established nine new nations and shifted the boundaries of other nations Barred Germany from maintaining an army Required Germany to return the region of Alsace-Lorraine to France German colonies were handed in trusteeship to the victorious Allies

13. Treaty of Versailles Required Germany to pay reparations (war damages) to the Allies Had a war guilt clause, forcing Germany to admit sole responsibility for starting the war The Treaty was designed to cripple Germany militarily, territorially and economically Video

14. The Treaty and the U.S. Senate Wilson was dismayed by the overall results, but he was hopeful that a strong League could prevent future wars, so he returned to present the Treaty of Versailles to the Senate

15. The Treaty and the U.S. Senate Article X of the treaty created the League of Nations and required the U.S. to respect the territorial integrity of member states There was no requirement compelling an American declaration of war, but the U.S. might be bound to impose an economic embargo or to sever diplomatic relations

16. The Treaty and the U.S. Senate Some senators were afraid that the League would limit the power of the U.S. government from determining its own affairs Others believed the League was an entangling alliance

17. The Treaty and the U.S. Senate The treaty was defeated in the Senate Wilson was bedridden from a stroke so that prevented him from making a strong personal appeal on behalf of the treaty Isolationists worried about a permanent global involvement with the League of Nations and voted against the treaty

18. Consequences of Treaty Without the involvement of the U.S., the world’s newest superpower, the League of Nations was doomed to failure Over the next two decades, the U.S. would sit on the sidelines as the unjust Treaty of Versailles and the ineffective League of Nations would set the stage for an even bloodier, more devastating clash

19. Treaty Ending WWI After WWI, the U.S. emerged as a world leader and pursued efforts to maintain peace in the world President Wilson’s efforts partially helped shape the Treaty of Versailles Debate over the terms of the treaty and efforts to avoid foreign entanglements led to the defeat of the treaty in the Senate and the United States’ decision not to join the League of Nations

20. Avoiding War After World War I, the U.S. and other countries made attempts to assure there would never be another World War Many treaties and pacts were made Three treaties were signed at the Washington Naval Conference from November, 1921 to February, 1922

21. Four Power Treaty Treaty signed by – The U.S. – Great Britain – France – Japan

22. Four Power Treaty All parties agree to – Maintain the status quo in the Pacific – Not seek further territorial expansion – Mutual consultation with each other in the event of a dispute over territorial possessions

23. Five Power Treaty Treaty signed by – the United States – The United Kingdom – Japan – France – Italy

24. Five Power Treaty Agreed to prevent an arms race by limiting naval construction – Limited the construction of battleships, battlecruisers, and air craft carriers by the signatories

25. Nine Power Treaty Treaty affirming the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China as per the Open Door Policy

26. Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928 international agreement in which signatory states promised not to use war to resolve “disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise among them”

27. Kellogg-Briand Pact Parties failing to abide by this promise “should be denied of the benefits furnished by this treaty” Signed by Germany, France and the U.S. on August 27, 1928, and by most other nations soon after

28. Kellogg-Briand Pact Sponsored by France and the U.S., the Pact renounced the use of war and called for the peaceful settlement of disputes Video

29. Avoiding War Desires to avoid another major war led to treaties addressing arms limitation and territorial expansion – Four-, Five- and Nine-Power Treaties – Kellogg-Briand Pact In taking a leading role in these later treaties, the U.S. sought to limit its involvement in international affairs