29.4-Treaty of Versailles: A Flawed Peace

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

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

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

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

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