1. End of World War 1
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: ended war between Russia and Germany in March of 1918 – Russia dealing with communist revolution Armistace ends fighting on all fronts Nov. 11, 1918 Nations send representatives to Paris to negotiate end of war

2. The Big 3
Georges Clemenceau (France) – wanted to cripple Germany – owed $ to US Lloyd George (England) – wanted to punish Germany but wanted a trade partner – owed $ to US Woodrow Wilson (US) – wanted peace with honor (peace as equals) Germany and Russia not invited as participants

3. Wilson’s 14 points Abolish secret treaties Freedom of seas Free Trade
Disarmament
Decolonization and self-determination
Assurances to Russia for development
Restore Belgium to pre-war status

4. Wilson’s 14 points Return Alsace-Lorraine to France from Germany
Redraw Italian borders based on nationality
Autonomous development of Austria-Hungary
De-occupation of Balkans – give Serbia access to Adriatic
Sovereignty to Turkey
Independent Poland with sea access
Creation of League of Nations

5. Wilson’s points not well received by rest of Big 3
Only #14 – League of Nations officially included in Treaty
Ironically, League of Nations become sticking point in US. The Senate refused to ratify treaty out of fear of being drawn into future European conflicts
US would negotiate a separate peace with Germany in 1921

6. Terms of the Treaty of Versailles
Demilitarization – limited to 100k troops; 6 each battleships, cruisers, destroyers; banned production of military planes, tanks, armored cars and poison gas
Loss of land – Alsace-Lorraine returned to France (permanently), western Prussia given to Poland, Saarland transferred to League of Nations, loss of overseas colonies

7. Terms of the Treaty of Versailles
Reparations – Germany must repay 6.6B in cash, steel, coal, produce. Goods were included to offset changing value of currency due to inflation
War Guilt Clause – Germany forced to accept blame for starting the war
“Stab in the Back” – German belief the military had been let down by politicians