Making the Peace Chapter 11 Section 4

Pandemic 1918 – Within a few months an outbreak of the flu spread across the world, killing more than 20 million people In contrast: 8.5 million died in battle during War Between 6-13 million civilians died during war

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Financial Toll Huge war debts Battle zones needed reconstruction Allies insisted the defeated Central Powers pay reparations

Political Turmoil Governments of the Central Powers and Russia had collapsed Radicals attempted to seize power

Paris Peace Conference Allies met to discuss fate of Europe, Ottoman Empire, and colonies around the world Central Powers and Russia excluded from negotiation

Conflicting Goals Big Three: Woodrow Wilson (U.S. President) Wants “peace without victory” based on 14 points David Lloyd George (Britain Prime Minister) Wants to build a Britain “fit for heroes” Georges Clemenceau (French leader) Wanted to weaken Germany so it would never threaten France again Not a fan of 14 points

Problems with the Peace Italians want Allies to honor secret agreement to give former Austrian lands People of defeated nations and Russia all demanded own nations, often with overlapping borders Some ethnic groups would become unwanted minorities Wilson forced to compromise on 14 points Would not compromise on League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles June 1919, Germans forced to sign Treaty Germany to assume full blame for causing war Forced to pay huge reparations Cost of reconstruction Pensions for Allied soldiers, or their widows and families Came to about $30 billion (or $2.7 trillion today)

Treaty of Versailles Weakened Germany Limited size of military Returned Alsace and Lorraine to France Stripped it of its overseas colonies Shrunk its borders

Treaty of Versailles Germany was upset Central Powers saw armistice as cease-fire, not surrender People became angry and soon began looking for scapegoats

Self-Determination in Eastern Europe Poland becomes a nation after 100 years of foreign rule Baltic nations achieve independence Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia Austria-Hungary separate, Czechoslovakia also formed Yugoslavia formed in Balkans, dominated by Serbia

Mandate System Self-Determination Allies created mandates Only applied to European nations Allies added to their overseas empire Allies created mandates Britain and France gained German colonies in Africa Japan and Australia gained some Pacific Islands Mandates were to be “held in trust” until they could stand alone Colonies felt betrayed

League of Nations 40 nations join Agree to negotiate disputes rather than resort to war Agree to take common action against aggressor nations

League of Nations Senate hesitant Henry Lodge wants treaty restricted so U.S. not obligated to participate in future wars Wilson refuses Lodge’s compromises Treaty not ratified, U.S. does not join League of Nations

League of Nations Without U.S. League was very weak Also, had no power outside membership Ultimately failed, but important 1st step