Global Peacemaker Paris Peace Conference President Wilson decided to head the U.S. delegation and included only one Republican to this group. Important note: Republicans controlled the Senate and would have the final say on any treaty signed by the U.S. President Wilson decided to head the U.S. delegation and included only one Republican to this group. Important note: Republicans controlled the Senate and would have the final say on any treaty signed by the U.S. Wilson stressed that the U.S. was not interested in any spoils of war. He was more concerned with establishing a permanent agency that could deal with future problems. Wilson stressed that the U.S. was not interested in any spoils of war. He was more concerned with establishing a permanent agency that could deal with future problems.

Wilson Compromises Other leaders did not share Wilson’s attitude. They wanted to make Germany and the rest of the Central Powers pay for their part in the war. Other leaders did not share Wilson’s attitude. They wanted to make Germany and the rest of the Central Powers pay for their part in the war. Other leaders making up the Big Four were David Lloyd George of Britain, Georges Clemenceau of France and Vittorio Orlando of Italy. Other leaders making up the Big Four were David Lloyd George of Britain, Georges Clemenceau of France and Vittorio Orlando of Italy. Russia was absent from the conference. They were involved in a civil war and no one knew what would happen there or what the effects of a Bolshevik victory might be. Russia was absent from the conference. They were involved in a civil war and no one knew what would happen there or what the effects of a Bolshevik victory might be. Wilson was forced to compromise from the start. Wilson was forced to compromise from the start.

League of Nations President Wilson introduced his plan for the League of Nations in Paris and then came back to the U.S., hoping to convince Congress to accept the plan. President Wilson introduced his plan for the League of Nations in Paris and then came back to the U.S., hoping to convince Congress to accept the plan. Article 10 of his plan said that an attack on one member was an attack on all and required the response of all. Article 10 of his plan said that an attack on one member was an attack on all and required the response of all. Many senators felt like this could potentially drag the U.S. into an unpopular foreign war. Many senators felt like this could potentially drag the U.S. into an unpopular foreign war.

The Peace Treaty President Wilson’s influence at the conference was weakened when leaders learned that the U.S. opposed the League of Nations. President Wilson’s influence at the conference was weakened when leaders learned that the U.S. opposed the League of Nations. France used this weakened position of Wilson to demand harsh penalties of Germany. France used this weakened position of Wilson to demand harsh penalties of Germany.

Redrawing the Map of Europe The peace conference created nine new countries out of the territory that was once Russia, Germany and Austria- Hungary. The peace conference created nine new countries out of the territory that was once Russia, Germany and Austria- Hungary. Leaders tried to recognize different ethnic groups but it was impossible not to have new ethnic minorities in many countries. Leaders tried to recognize different ethnic groups but it was impossible not to have new ethnic minorities in many countries.

War Guilt and Reparations The French in particular wanted to punish Germany. The French in particular wanted to punish Germany. They demanded that Germany admit guilt for the war and pay reparations (payment for economic injury during the war) amounting to $33 billion. They demanded that Germany admit guilt for the war and pay reparations (payment for economic injury during the war) amounting to $33 billion. Wilson objected to this correctly believing that Germany would be crippled and humiliated. Wilson objected to this correctly believing that Germany would be crippled and humiliated.

Signing the Treaty Although Germany objected to the treaty, in reality they had no choice. Although Germany objected to the treaty, in reality they had no choice. The Versailles Treaty was signed on June 28, The Versailles Treaty was signed on June 28, Ironically, the German Empire had been founded in the same hall at Versailles where Germany was now humiliated in front of the world. Ironically, the German Empire had been founded in the same hall at Versailles where Germany was now humiliated in front of the world. The German Empire was founded after Prussia defeated France in the Franco-Prussian War. All of the independent German states joined Prussia forming the modern nation of Germany.

Reaction at Home In the U.S., various senators objected to the treaty. In the U.S., various senators objected to the treaty. Some did not like being committed to the League of Nations and could not be persuaded. They were called the “irreconcilables.” Some did not like being committed to the League of Nations and could not be persuaded. They were called the “irreconcilables.” Others, called “reservationists”, wanted revisions. No agreement could be reached on this point. Others, called “reservationists”, wanted revisions. No agreement could be reached on this point.

Wilson Tours the Country Wilson decided to put this issue before the American people. Wilson decided to put this issue before the American people. After 36 speeches in 23 days, he suffered a stroke that paralyzed one side of his body. After 36 speeches in 23 days, he suffered a stroke that paralyzed one side of his body. He served out the rest of his term isolated from others. He served out the rest of his term isolated from others. The treaty failed to pass the Senate three times much to the dismay of the American people. The treaty failed to pass the Senate three times much to the dismay of the American people.

Formal End to Hostilities Eventually, once a new president was in office, Warren Harding, Congress ratified separate peace treaties with Germany, Austria and Hungary. Eventually, once a new president was in office, Warren Harding, Congress ratified separate peace treaties with Germany, Austria and Hungary.

Postwar Adjustments The war had given a big boost to American business, especially when compared to European countries that had lost so much during the war. The war had given a big boost to American business, especially when compared to European countries that had lost so much during the war. The U.S. had its own problems adjusting the economy to a peacetime economy. The U.S. had its own problems adjusting the economy to a peacetime economy. Cancelled defense contracts and men returning from military service caused shakeups. Cancelled defense contracts and men returning from military service caused shakeups. Women and African-Americans, both of whom had enjoyed higher status during the war, were relegated to their status before the war. “Thanks but no thanks.” Women and African-Americans, both of whom had enjoyed higher status during the war, were relegated to their status before the war. “Thanks but no thanks.”

Postwar Gloom “We all started out with high ideals….After being right up here almost at the front line….I cannot understand what it is all about or what has been accomplished by all this waste of youth.” “We all started out with high ideals….After being right up here almost at the front line….I cannot understand what it is all about or what has been accomplished by all this waste of youth.” –Alice Lord O’Brian