Woodrow Wilson & His Fourteen Points

In early 1919, President Wilson traveled to Versailles, France for a peace conference. He met with European leaders and presented a plan for peace based on his Fourteen Points. Wilson’s vision of a postwar world was grounded in the idea of “peace without victory.”

Wilson’s Fourteen Points made specific proposals to promote future peace. Practice open diplomacy. Allow freedom of the seas. Encourage free trade. Reduce arms stockpiles. Scale back colonialism. Encourage self-determination of nations. Establish a League of Nations.

The Fourteenth Point Established the League of Nations The foundation for what we have today, the United Nations Wilson believed countries working together would promote peace

The Paris Peace Conference 32 Nations- Germany and allies not invited Big Four (David Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau, Vittorio Orlando, & Wilson

Allied leaders at Versailles wanted reparations. European leaders did not share Wilson’s vision of peace without victory. They wanted Germany to pay for war damages. They also wanted to protect European colonialism and expand their countries’ territories. 6

One by one, Wilson’s Fourteen Points were rejected, leaving only the League of Nations. The League of Nations was an organization where countries could come together to resolve disputes peacefully. Wilson’s proposal to create a League of Nations was added to the Treaty of Versailles.

Goals of the Paris Peace Conference Wilson wanted to bring peace to Europe- League of Nations France and other nations wanted to punish Germany Wilson saw the importance of rebuilding Europe and strengthening relationships between the countries

The Treaty of Versailles Peace treaty signed between the Allies and Germany Signed on June 28, 1919

Wilson’s Views on the Treaty Felt it was too harsh to the Germans Did not include all of Wilson’s “14 Points” *Treaty required Germany to reparations, established 9 new nations, and Germany had to give up much of it’s military.

Wilson returned to face a hostile Senate, where two groups opposed the treaty. The “reservationists,” led by Henry Cabot Lodge, opposed the treaty as written but were willing to negotiate changes. The “irreconcilables” were isolationists who opposed the League of Nations. 11

Wilson was unwilling to compromise on the treaty. On a speaking tour to promote the League of Nations in September 1919, Wilson became ill and suffered a stroke. As he lay near death, the Senate voted, refusing to ratify the Treaty of Versailles. 12

Wilson’s Prediction If the United States did not join the League of Nations, Wilson warned, “ I can predict with absolute certainty that within another generation there will be another world war if the nations of the world do not concert [agree upon] the method by which to prevent it.”

Impact of World War I 14 million dead 7 million disabled Cost more than $280 billion

Impacts of the War Political Impacts Economic Impacts Monarchies ended in Europe 9 new nations in Europe League of Nations created European economies destroyed American economy became #1 Consumerism boomed in U.S.

Social Impacts Increased Women’s Rights Passage of the 19th Amendment Mass migration of African Americans to North

Fourteen Points vs. Treaty of Versailles Which of Wilson’s Fourteen Points made it into the Treaty of Versailles? Why was Wilson so set on creating world peace? Why did the European countries not agree with Wilson’s points Why would the Senate refuse to sign the treaty?

Write down 1 question that you still have about WWI or something that we covered. Write down 3 things that you have learned about WWI.