13.4 A Flawed Peace Allies’ conference table, Treaty of Versailles; Paris, 1919
The Allies Meet at Versailles 13.4 The Allies Meet at Versailles •The Big Four dominate Paris Peace Conference: Woodrow Wilson, United States Georges Clemenceau, France David Lloyd George, Great Britain Vittorio Orlando, Italy Wilson’s Plan for Peace Fourteen Points—outline for lasting world peace free trade End secret alliances and reduce militaries self-determination—right of people to govern own nation International peace-keeping body to settle world disputes George, Orlando, Clemenceau, & Wilson
MILITARY RESTRICTIONS The Treaty of Versailles Britain, France oppose Wilson’s ideas; want to punish Germany June 1919: Allies, Germany sign Treaty of Versailles LEAGUE OF NATIONS International peace organization 32 Allied & neutral countries Germany & Russia excluded TERRITORIAL LOSSES Germany: Return Alsace-Lorraine Surrender all overseas colonies MILITARY RESTRICTIONS Size of German army limited & cannot: Import or manufacture weapons or submarine Have an air force “WAR GUILT” CLAUSE Article 231 Germany must take sole responsibility for war pay reparations: $33 billion over 30 years NEXT
The Creation of New Nations Treaties change geography of Europe Central Powers lose territory Ottoman Empire in SW → mandates Russia gives up territory New countries in Eastern Europe NEXT
Treaty causes bitterness on both sides: “War Guilt” Clause: Germany feels betrayed U.S. rejected Treaty, favors isolationism Former colonies angry over not winning independence Japan, Italy did not gain much territory NUMBER OF TROOPS MOBILIZED WORLD WAR I DEATHS The Legacy of the War: The Lost Generation 8.5 million soldiers killed, 21 million wounded Massive civilian casualties $338 billion Destruction of land, cities, and industrial centers