Fight for Peace

1.Wilson’s Plan -based on idea of Peace without Victory Idealistic – just and lasting peace -would eliminate reasons for future wars Less fighting on international waters freedom of the sea Trade free from U-Boat attacks reduce armaments Decrease size of military -set certain goals for the world Prevent future fighting “The present war must first be ended; but we owe it to candor and to a just regard for the opinion of mankind to say that, so far as our participation in guarantees of future peace is concerned, it makes a great deal of difference in what way and upon what terms it is ended.” ~President Wilson

2.Fourteen Points -Fourteen Points was the title of Wilson’s speech that organized his idea of the future 1-5 prevent another war 6-13 boundary changes 14 League of Nations -described solution to prevent causes of the war no secret treaties freedom of seas lower tariffs reduce armaments self determination – consider the interests of colonized people; fight for their own independence -League of Nations – Forum for nations to discuss problems without going to war (like the UN) “A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike.” ~Woodrow Wilson

3.Versailles Peace Conference -Big Four U.S., Britain, France, Italy -Central Powers left out of the meetings, as was Russia Russia Communist, loses a lot of land; causes problems later -Allied leaders wanted to blame and punish Germany Make Germany pay -Most of the 14 Points were ignored Wilson gave up most of his 14 points for the League of Nations -Wilson did manage to secure the League of Nations The “Big Four” meet outside of Versailles. The Central Powers, and Russia, were left out of the Conference, which will cause problems in the future.

***Weaknesses of Treaty will lead to future wars*** 4.Peace Treaty -9 new nations created and several borders moved Given to Britain/France until ready to be on own -Germany is demilitarized Not allowed to have army/navy -reparations must be paid $33 billion to the Allies -Germany must acknowledge war guilt Germans admit sole responsibility ***Weaknesses of Treaty will lead to future wars*** Germany can’t repay – depression leads to rise of Hitler Russia is ignored – wants land back Colonialism remained

The Allies redrew the borders so that people who spoke the same language were part of the same country. They did that with France, Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, the Netherlands, and Belgium. After dividing up all of that land, the pieces of Germany that remained became Germany. Before the Treaty of Versailles, a part of Europe was known as the Austro- Hungarian Empire. As a result of the Allies’ decision to change boundaries based on languages spoken, this land was divided into Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, and a part of Romania. Also, land that had been part of Russia became Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, East Prussia, and Poland, all of which Russia had once taken over and turned into territories of the Russian Empire. The Treaty of Versailles made Russia give back these lands.

-Some thought it too harsh Especially against Germany 5.Opposition -Some thought it too harsh Especially against Germany -others thought it changed nothing -U.S. leaders disliked the League of Nations Threatened U.S. policy of isolationism Henry Cabot Lodge Against League of Nations thought the League threatens our ability to stay out of foreign affairs -Wilson sets out to appeal to the people – to back League of Nations Wilson suffers a stroke -U.S. Senate never approves the treaty Once Wilson returned to America, he engaged in an ongoing battle with the Senate to approve the Treaty of Versailles. The Senators, led by Henry Cabot Lodge, did not want to approve the treaty because they did not want to join the League of Nations.

~Senator William Borah “What is the result of this Treaty of Versailles?…We have surrendered, once and for all, the great policy of no entangling alliances upon which the strength of this republic has been based for 150 years.” ~Senator William Borah

“If we do not end wars, we are unfaithful to the loving hearts who suffered in this war…The League of Nations is the only thing that can prevent another dreadful catastrophe and fulfill our promises.” ~Woodrow Wilson

~President Woodrow Wilson 6.Wilson’s Legacy “This is not a time for tactics. It is a time to stand square. I can stand defeat; I cannot stand retreat from conscientious duty.” ~President Woodrow Wilson -Progressive reformer Many Progressive changes -Prohibition starts 18th Amendment, no alcohol -women’s suffrage 19th Amendment -Victory in the Great War -vision of a world organization to prevent war League of Nations -prediction of future wars (WWII) -Stroke suffered at the end of his presidency sets groundwork for 25th Amendment