1. A Flawed Peace

2. The Allies Meet And Debate
With the armistice signed, the combat/killing stopped – terms of peace had to be worked out
On January 18, a conference was held at the Palace of Versailles where delegates from 32 nations met to decide on peace terms (Paris Peace Conference)
While there were many delegates, a Group of leaders known as the Big Four dominate peace talks - held the most power/made the decisions:
Woodrow Wilson – U.S. (President)
Georges Clemenceau – France (Prime Minister)
David Lloyd George - Great Britain (Chancellor)
Vittorio Orlando - Italy (prime minister)
Russia, in the middle of a civil war was not represented; nor were Germany and its allies
Some countries (France) wanted to punish Germany/allies severely; other countries (U.S.) wanted reprimands/reparations but not outright hostility
Some delegates warned that Germany should be present – could give rise to future hostility (still weren’t included)

4. Woodrow’s Plan For Peace
Wilson proposed Fourteen Points — Agreements amongst nations that made an outline for lasting world peace
Called for free trade by sea, end to secret alliances, reduced militaries, etc.
Promoted Self-determination—right of people to govern their own nation
Specifically, he wanted European nations to let their colonies go – not be under European rule anymore (imperialism had contributed to WWI)
Fourteenth point was a general association of nations that would protect great and small states alike – An international peace-keeping body (United Nations)
U.S leader Woodrow Wilson had a more diplomatic/idealistic approach towards dealing with Germany
Tried to limit the economic impact on Germany – wanted Germany to keep some of its factories/industry – other nations wanted to shut them down
Also concerned that German sentiment may turn towards Communism – due to proximity with Russia (undergoing a revolution)

5. Wilson’s Fourteen Points

6. The Versailles Treaty
Britain and France oppose Wilson’s ideas; want to punish Germany
Skeptical of Wilson’s idealism in the 14 points – just fought a devastating world war – do exactly what Wilson didn’t want them to – alienate Germany
Allies/Germany sign Treaty of Versailles - Was not in Germany’s favor
Officially ended WWI
Created League of Nations—international organization to keep peace – precursor to United Nations (Met in Geneva, Switzerland)
Broke-up Austrian-Hungarian/Ottoman empires – Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, etc.
Forced Germany to pay war damages (33 billion dollars in reparations) – Especially to France, Poland and Ukraine – Finished paying back those debts in 2010
League to rule German colonies until deemed ready for independence - Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda
Could have no more than 100,000 soldiers; no tanks
Had to give part of the Rhineland to France; other portions to other countries (Poland, Denmark, etc.)
Germans felt betrayed by the terms of the treaty – were angry at having to pay wartime damages

9. New Nations and Mandates
Treaty of Versailles was just one of five treaties negotiated by the Allies – one that had the most impact
Created feelings of bitterness and betrayal – Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire all lost lands (broke into smaller countries) – Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, etc.
New regions/states were created in Europe– Serbia, Montenegro, etc. become Yugoslavia,
The Allies carved up the lands that used to belong to the Ottomans: Britain received mandates (political control) of Palestine and Iraq, France got mandates for Syria and Lebanon
Russia lost territory to Poland and Romania; Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania became independent nations

12. “A Peace Built On Quicksand”
The U.S. Senate prevented delegates from actually signing the treaty – didn’t want to have entangling alliances or tie up the nation’s sovereignty to a foreign entity (League of Nations)
Many citizens believed that America should stay out of Europe/World’s affairs after WWI ended – isolationism
German people feel betrayed after taking blame for war – forced to sign a war-guilt clause admitting to starting World War I – could be argued that they didn’t
Some former colonies express anger over not winning independence from colonial rule
Colonies were drawn into the war effort by suppling recruits, money, etc.
Thought that fighting in the war would give their countries freedom – did not happen for most colonies – all talk about self-determination
Japan and Italy criticized agreement – they entered the war to gain territory but they gained less land/concessions than they wanted from the treaty
Since U.S. is not a part of the League of Nations, and it was the strongest country after World War I, the league was powerless to enforce policies/settle disputes
Other nations know the league is powerless – do what they want