1. AIM: How did Woodrow Wilson propose peace following World War I?
Discuss how the Fourteen Points, especially the League of Nations, demonstrated Wilsonian principles.
Summarize the aims of the other Allied powers at the Paris Peace Conference.
Identify which of the Fourteen Points became part of the final peace settlement.

2. When World War I ended, U. S
When World War I ended, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson believed that America should take a lead in shaping the peace process.
Woodrow Wilson’s peace plan = the Fourteen Points
Were the 14 Points SMART?
Working with a partner, examine Wilson’s 14 Points:
Connect each of the 14 Points to the goal you think that point is trying to fulfill.
Show the connections by writing excerpts of a point or points around a goal. (You may connect some of the 14 Points to more than one goal.)
Be prepared to share your answers!
Wilson’s foreign policy goals:
Spreading democracy
Open markets to all
International organization dedicated to keeping peace
Active global role for the United States
Fourteen Points VIDEO

3. Wilson’s Fourteen Points
Points 1-5 focused on creating new international rules that would eliminate future wars
No more secret treaties or alliances
Reduction of militaries
Freedom of the seas and free trade
International control over colonies to end imperialism

4. Wilson’s Fourteen Points
Points 6-13 focused on dividing weak empires like Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire into new nations based on self-determination
Wilson believed that new nations should have borders drawn with consideration to ethnic and national identities
He wanted new nations to be free to choose their own governments

5. Wilson’s Fourteen Points
Point 14 focused on creating a League of Nations to maintain world peace by diplomacy rather than by war

6. How supportive of the 14 Points were other Allied nations?
If you were from France, England, or another allied nation, would you have supported the 14 Points? Why or why not?
How supportive of the 14 Points were other Allied nations?
“The Allied Governments have given careful consideration…they declare their willingness to make peace with the Government of Germany on the terms of peace laid down in the [Fourteen Points] They must point out, however, that [Point II], relating to what is usually described as the freedom of the seas, is open to various interpretations, some of which they could not accept. They must, therefore, reserve to themselves complete freedom on this subject when they enter the peace conference. Further, the President declared that invaded territories must be restored as well as evacuated and freed By [this the Allies] understand that compensation will be made by Germany for all damage done to the civilian population of the Allies and their property by the aggression of Germany by land, by sea and from the air.”
- French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau’s opening remarks at the Paris Peace Proceedings, January 18, 1919

7. Next, President Wilson traveled to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 to help create the Treaty of Versailles
Wilson hoped his Fourteen Points would become the framework for the peace treaty…
“The Big Three”
British Prime Minister David Lloyd George
Italian Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando
French Premier George Clemenceau
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson

8. But, Wilson quickly learned that European leaders wanted to PUNISH GERMANY, and did not share his vision for a “peace without victory”
(Allied powers cautiously agreed to use the Fourteen Points as a treaty template, but that’s all!)
“The Big Three”
British Prime Minister David Lloyd George
Italian Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando
French Premier George Clemenceau
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson

9. While you watch: What did each side WANT out of the treaty?
During the peace process, Wilson had to compromise some of his Fourteen Points
On June 28, 1919 the delegates agreed to the Treaty of Versailles
While you watch: What did each side WANT out of the treaty?

10. Work together to stop future acts of aggression
Delegates at the Paris Peace Conference completed the treaty and agreed to create a League of Nations
Made up of a General Assembly of 27 nations
Use diplomacy to settle conflicts
Work together to stop future acts of aggression
An agreement that member nations would work together to stop future acts of aggression

11. Europe and Middle East Before and After World War I
The Treaty of Versailles CHANGED THE ENTIRE MAP…what changes do you see??
Europe and Middle East Before and After World War I

12. The Treaty of Versailles severely punished Germany for its role in World War I
Germany was forced to surrender all of its overseas colonies
Germany’s military was reduced and forbidden from building weapons
Germany had to accept full responsibility for the war and pay $33 billion in war reparations
An agreement that member nations would work together to stop future acts of aggression

13. BUT, the Treaty of Versailles did NOT address important issues that caused World War I
The treaty did not require any of the Allied nations to demilitarize or give up imperial colonies
The treaty did not address secret alliances or guarantee free trade
The treaty was so severe that it kept Germany from rebuilding
An agreement that member nations would work together to stop future acts of aggression

14. Hitler’s Response to the Treaty

15. Examine this cartoon showing President Woodrow Wilson’s conception of the League of Nations.
Does the cartoonist believe that the League would be able to live up to Wilson’s ideas for it?

16. Even though the major Allied and Central Powers signed the Treaty of Versailles …

17. BUT… U.S. President Wilson could not sign the Treaty of Versailles
WHY NOT?
Constitution - that is the SENATE’S JOB!
A 2/3 vote in the Senate was needed to ratify the treaty and join the League of Nations!

18. What was the League’s plan that ANGERED US Senate members?
Many Senators did not like the Treaty of Versailles because signing it meant joining the League of Nations…but WHY?
What was the League’s plan that ANGERED US Senate members?
Article 10 of the League Covenant:
The Members of the League undertake to respect and preserve as against aggression the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all Members of the League. In case of any such aggression or in case of any threat or danger of such aggression the Council shall advise upon the means by which this obligation shall be fulfilled…

19. With a partner, read the opposite viewpoints on the League of Nations…
What is Wilson’s argument?
What is Lodge’s argument?
Wilson’s argument
Lodge’s argument

20. In 1920, Republican Warren Harding ran for president promising a “return to normalcy” and rejection of the League of Nations
With Harding’s victory in 1920, the Senate voted against the Treaty of Versailles and membership in the League of Nations 22

21. Members of the League of Nations (in black)
The U.S. never joined the League and signed its own peace treaty with Germany in 1921

22. The United States began the 20th century as an imperial power and reluctantly entered WWI to protect free trade
Involvement in the war led to changes for women and African Americans and an economic boom
The United States played a major role in the peace process, but refusal to join the League weakened the ability of world leaders to stop World War II