1. US History Chapter 8 Section 4
Peace without Victory

2. Main Idea
The Allies determined the terms for peace in the post-war world

3. Reading Focus
What was President Wilson’s Fourteen Points plan for peace?
What was resolved at the Paris Peace Conference?
Why did congress fight over the treaty?
What was the impact of World War I on the United States and the world?

4. Causes of World War I Review
Militarism
European nations engaged in massive military buildup
Allainces
European countries form partnerships to protect themselves
European Tensions Rising caused by
Imperialism
Rival empires seek to keep power
Nationalism
People feel loyalty and devotion to their country or culture
Where is the “A” in ???

5. The Fourteen Points
As war ended, its effects were devastating to all countries involved and President Wilson wanted to ensure a war like this never happened again
Wilson’s plan for world peace was outlined in Fourteen Points
Points Point Point Point 14
Open diplomacy, freedom of seas, removal of trade barriers, reduction
of military arms
A fair system to resolve disputes over colonies
Self-Determination- right of people to decide own political status
Establishment of League of Nations

6. Open diplomacy, freedom of seas, removal of trade barriers, reduction
of military arms
A fair system to resolve disputes over colonies
Self-Determination- right of people to decide own political status
Establishment of League of Nations

7. “ What we demand…is that the world be made fit and safe to live in; and particularly that it be made safe for every peace-loving nation which, like our own, wishes to live its own life, determine its own institutions, be assured of justice and fair dealing by other peoples of the world as against force and selfish aggression”
-- President Woodrow Wilson, Fourteen Points Speech, 1918

8. The Paris Peace Conference
January President Wilson (despite criticism) felt it was his moral duty to be involved with peace negotiations
January 12, 1919: Members from 32 nations attended conference but it was dominated by the “Big Four”
> U.S.- Woodrow Wilson > Great Britain- David Lloyd George
> France- Georges Clemenceau > Italy- Vittorio Orlando
Conflicting needs- Delegates to the conference had different
desires and expected outcomes
* Vison of world peace * Severe punishment of Germany
* Reduction of weapons * countries seeking independence
* Reestablishment of nations

9. “ The conduct of Germany is almost unexampled in human history
“ The conduct of Germany is almost unexampled in human history. The terrible responsibility which lies at her doors can be seen in the fact that not less than 7 million dead lie buried in Europe, while more than 20 million others carry upon them the evidence of wounds and sufferings, because Germany saw fit to gratify her desire for tyranny by resort to war”
-- Georges Clemenceau, France Prime Minister

10. The Treaty of Versailles
Allies eventually agreed and presented their terms to Germany
Treaty was much harsher that what Woodrow Wilson had wished
> Germany to disarm
> Payment of War Reparations
> Germany to accept sole responsibility for starting war
The treaty did include some of Wilson’s 14 points:
> Would establish a League of Nations
>Some ethnic groups in Austria-Hungary and Russia would get
right of self-determination
> Nine new nations created

11. Germany Response
Germany protested the terms because they thought they were too harsh
France threatens to use military action
Germany agrees and signs treaty on June 28, 1919

13. United States Response to Treaty
President Wilson returns from Paris Peace Conference and presents plan to his republican controlled senate
Congressional Response to Treaty Provisions
3 groups
Democrats on board with total support and immediate ratification
Irreconcilables- those who urged outright rejection of U.S. participation of US involvement in League of Nations
Reservationists- those who would ratify the treaty only if changes were made (authority to use military power to carry out League’s decisions)
Wilson not willing to compromise
Wilson takes his case to American People- “Inside Story”

14. Congress to Wilson
November Senator Henry Cabot Lodge presents treaty to U.S. Senate for ratification with list of 14 reservations (concerns) to original treaty
Wilson is unwilling to compromise and Wilson instructs Senate to reject Lodge’s revised treaty
After Wilson leaves office in US signs separate peace agreements with Germany, Austria, and Hungary
The United States never joins the League of Nations

15. 14 points

16. Impact of World War I Political Impact Economic Impact Social Impact
Impact in Europe
Overthrow of Monarchs in Russia, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Ottoman Empire
Devastated European economies of countries at war
Millions of women drawn into work- service contributed to passage of 19th amendment
European nations had lost a whole generation of men
Rise of power of Bolsheviks
United States became world’s leading economic power
The war had encouraged many African-Americans to migrate north for jobs (race tensions)
France took the hardest hit (most combat took place there)
Fanned the flames of revolts against colonialism in Middle East and in SE Asia
Farmers- Postwar needs decreased and no longer need to buy food
Migrations led to population patterns
Great Britain deeply in debt to United States
War Reparations on Germany crippled their economy