End of WWI

Allied Victory in Europe Russia dropped out of war allowing Germany to focus on the western front Germany’s offensive failed- unable to reach Paris America gave the allies a great advantage Germany surrendered in November of 1918 America had been in the war just over a year US still had 117,000 killed

Wilson and Peace Peace without Victory Wilson’s 14 points Lenin- imperialistsic land grab, Wilson- peace and freedom Peace without victory- no greed or vengeance from the victors. Promoting openness, encouraging independence, an supporting freedom 14 points- even before the war ended- they were dropped over the german people- so they thought those would be the terms of peace. - freedom of the seas, free trade, no secret diplomatic agreements (lenin), stop building up militaries, restore Russian territory, redraw European countries borders so each nation has their own government (Belgium, Austria-Hungary broken up, Italy, Ottoman empire broken up, Poland created), new peace keeping organization- League of Nations. inspired by these ideas the german people will overthrow the Kaiser (German leader) in Nov of 1918

Paris Peace Conference Allied powers vs Wilson Treaty of Versailles League of Nations Split up parts of Germany No more German colonies Diminish German military War Guilt Clause and Reparation payments Wilsons idea of Peace without Victory was not widely accepted- wanted to punish Germany, they were seen as the aggressor and lost, was against losin the land they will gain from winning the war, was not involved in negotiations in Paris. Wanted them to pay reparations- will pay these off in 2010 Treaty- 1. created League of Nations (Germany not allowed to join) 2. split up Germany- parts went to Belgium, France, Poland, and Denmark) 3. strip germay of all its colonies 4. greatly diminished germen military (lost navy, army reduced to police force) 5. forced to sign war guilt clause taking blame for war therefore- Reparations austria- hungary was also divded up into smaleer states, Turkey (ottoman empire) sultan was overthrown and became a republic- lost most territories in the middle east,

League of Nations Wilson and the Senate Irreconcilables and reservationists When Wilson returned to US to had to have 2/3 of senate to ratify treaty, in the senatorial elections of 1918 republican had gained control of the senate (Wilson-democrat) Wilson refused to accept any compromises or changes of the treaty, and told democtrats to refuse the ratification with the republicans modifications, - republicans felt league of nationswould draw the US in to another European war, Irreconciables- did not want the league of nations in any form (strict isolationists) reservationists- just wanted some changes to the treaty and league Wilson began campaigning to the people for the treaty to get the senate to pass it, went on a grueling speaking tour had a stroke while in Colorado was brought back to DC where he was incoherent but alive- edith Wilson Senate will not ratify the treaty with Germany until 1921