1. 29.4-Treaty of Versailles: A Flawed Peace

2. Big Four Fighting ended but peace still needed to be worked out
32 countries represented in Paris Peace Conference-mainly led by Big Four
George Clemenceau (France), Lloyd George (Britain), Woodrow Wilson (US), and Vittorio Orlando (Italy)
Russia nor Germany were represented at peace conference

3. Wilson Plan for Peace
President Wilson (US) came up with Fourteen Points for lasting peace
Included end to secret treaties, freedom of seas, & reduced armies and navies
Also included self-determination- allowing people to choose for themselves what government to live on
Also included idea of League of Nations-organization that could peacefully negotiate solutions to world conflicts

5. Treaty of Versailles
Britain and France not interested in Wilson’s plan-wanted to punish Germany to the fullest
Signing of Treaty of Versailles-created a League of Nations to keep peace among nations
Severely punished Germany-lost substantial territory and had to decrease their military-also pay reparations
Also made them sign war guilt cause- placed the entirety of the blame of the war on Germany
German territories were under watch of League of Nations-Allies would govern mandates and determine later if fit for independence

8. Creation of New Nations
Other treaties signed with Ottoman Empire, AH, and Bulgaria-all huge losses of land
New countries were created out of AH-Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, & Yugoslavia
Ottomans gave up almost all land
Russia gave up land as well
Treaties too harsh-left countries with feelings of bitterness and betrayal

10. Peace on Quicksand
Peace was bad-US did not even accept treaty (dominant power of war)
Most Americans believed US should stay out of European affairs and not sign treaty
Germany felt betrayed-sought revenge
Colonies still existed
Japan and Italy-although victors- got very little for their win