A Flawed Peace Chapter 29, Section 4

Introduction World War I was over. The killing had stopped. The terms of peace, however, still had to be worked out. On January 18, 1919, a conference to establish those terms began at the Palace of Versailles, outside Paris. Attending the talks, known as the Paris Peace Conference, were delegates representing 32 countries. For one year, this conference would be the scene of vigorous, often bitter debate. The Allied powers struggled to solve their conflicting aims in various peace treaties.

The Allies Meet and Debate

Key Leaders Come Together This group of leaders was known as the Big Four dominated the peace talks in Paris at Versailles.

United States: President Woodrow Wilson He wanted to rebuild the world after the devastation of the World War with his Fourteen Points peace plan. - He pushed hard to create the League of Nations. - He tried to convince other members of the Big Four that harsh punishments on Germany would lead to future war.

France: Georges Clemenceau He wanted the Germans to be made weak so that they would not attack France again. Clemenceau demanded that Germany pay to repair the damage they caused on France. He also wanted Germany to take responsibility for starting the war.

Great Britain: Prime Minister, David Lloyd George He publicly called for the Germans to be held responsible for starting the war. - However, he worried that if the Germans were not allowed to recover from the war there would be more trouble in the future.

Italy: Vittorio Orlando Once a member of the Central Powers, Italy changed sides when Britain and France said they would give them land on Adriatic coast at the end of the war. He expected them to keep their promise and receive the land at the Treaty of Versailles.

Wilson’s Plan for Peace Wilson proposes Fourteen Points—an outline for lasting world peace. Calls for free trade and an end to alliances and military buildups Promotes self-determination—right of people to govern their own nation Envisions international peace-keeping body to settle world disputes

Fourteen Points End of secret treaties Freedom of the seas Free trade Arms reductions Adjustment of colonial claims Settlement of questions regarding Russian territory Restoration of Belgium Restoration of France’s territories including Alsace-Lorraine Readjustment of Italy’s borders Peoples of Austria-Hungary given self-determination Serbia given access to the sea and can join with other Balkan states (Yugoslavia created). Turkish portion of Ottoman empire sovereign, but other portions given self-determination. Dardanelles open to as shipping passage to all nations. Independent Poland League of Nations

A Troubled Treaty

The Versailles Treaty Britain and France oppose Wilson’s ideas and want to punish Germany. Allies and Germany sign an accord—the Treaty of Versailles—in June 1919. Creates League of Nations—international organization to keep peace. Blames Germans for war, forces Germany to pay damages (reparations) to nations. League to rule German colonies until deemed ready for independence.

Signing the Treaty of Versailles

Versailles Settlement in Europe

The Creation of New Nations The Versailles Treaty, other peace accords change the look of Europe Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire all lose lands Former Ottoman lands in Southwest Asia turn into mandates New countries in southeastern Europe Russia gives up land.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, 1918: Delivering the Goods

Europe Pre-World War I

New European Countries Post World War I Finland-land lost by Russia Estonia-land lost by Russia Latvia-land lost by Russia Lithuania-land lost by Russia Poland-restored from land lost by Germany and Russia Czechoslovakia Austria Hungary Romania-gained land Yugoslavia

Mandates in Africa and Middle East French Mandate of Syria French Mandate of Lebanon British Mandate of Palestine British Mandate of Transjordan British Mandate of Iraq British Togoland French Togoland British Cameroon French Cameroon Ruanda-Urundi Tanganyika South-West Africa

New Nations: 1923

“A Peace Build on Quicksand” Treaty of Versailles creates feelings of bitterness on both sides German people feel bitter and betrayed after taking blame for war America never ratifies Treaty of Versailles Many Americans oppose League of Nations and involvement with Europe Some former colonies express anger over not winning independence Japan, Italy criticize agreement; gain less land than they want