1. A Flawed Peace
Chapter 29, Section 4

2. 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.

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

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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. “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