1. World War I to World War II
How Could This Happen?
World War I to World War II

2. Wilson Seeks the Peace
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson began outlining terms of peace long before the fighting ended
Concerns over the new communists government in Russia made everyone uneasy
Hoping to avoid such a conflict in the future
Wilson was one of the first high-profile advocates of world peace
Wilson’s ambitious plan for peace in Europe was called “The Fourteen Points”

3. The Fourteen Points Outlined in a speech delivered on January 8, 1918
The basis of the speech were fourteen different outcomes that served several purposes:
The surrender of Germany
The rebuilding of Europe
The prevention of future wars
Wilson’s European allies were skeptical

4. The Fourteen Points Open covenants of peace openly arrived at
Absolute freedom of the seas, both in peace time and war
Removal of all economic barriers to the equality of trade among nations
Reduction of armaments to the level only needed for domestic safety
Impartial adjustments of colonial claims
Evacuation of all Russian territory. Russia will be welcomed into the society of free nations
Evacuation and restoration of Belgium
Evacuation and restoration of all French lands; Alsace Lorraine will be returned to France

5. The Fourteen Points
Readjustment of Italy’s frontiers along the lines of Italian nationality
Self-determination for the former subjects of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Evacuation of Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro; free access to the sea for Serbia
Self-determination for the former subjects of the Ottoman Empire; secure sovereignty for Turkey
Establishment of an independent Poland, with free and secure access to the sea
Establishment of the League of Nations affording mutual guarantees of independence and territorial sovereignty

6. The Allies
The Allies were reluctant to use Wilson’s Fourteen Points as the basis for German surrender
Several Allies had already made secret deals with each other for post-war spoils
The European Allies wanted German crippled and punished
The Russians had already made public secret plans to divide up the German state
When Wilson threatened to negotiate a separate peace and leave the Europeans to themselves, Britain and France caved in

7. French P.M. Georges Clemenceau
“God gave us the Ten Commandments, and we have broken them. Wilson gives us the Fourteen Points. We shall see…”

8. What happened to Austria-Hungary?
With the war going badly, Emperor Charles I of Austria attempted to negotiate a separate peace with France
After unsuccessful negotiations, the betrayal was revealed to the Germans, who were furious
The division between the former allies spelled doom for the war effort
Austria, under a flag of truce, surrendered in April of 1918
Austria and Hungary separated into two nations, and were no longer an international threat

9. Wilson at Home
Wilson was a major foreign policy success, but home was a different matter
Wilson, a Democrat, infuriated Republicans at home
Urged the people to vote for a Democratic Congress in 1918, or we would seem weak to the enemy
Republican’s even those who initially supported Wilson, were furious
The American people were furious, and the Republicans saw major gains in the Congress
Wilson’s Fourteen Points were in serious trouble

10. Wilson at Home
Republicans said that the voters had rejected Wilson’s policies in the November Election
Wilson attended the Paris Peace Conference personally with a small group that included no members of the Senate
Wilson, who liked to control situations, excluded people he would need later like Senator Henry Cabot-Lodge

11. The Paris Peace Conference
British Prime Minister
David Lloyd-George
U.S. President
Woodrow Wilson
French Prime Minister
Georges Clemenceau
Italian Prime Minister
Vittorio Orlando

12. The Paris Peace Conference
Wilson gave in on small points to achieve his major goals
League of Nations
Peace in Europe
Spread of Democracy and Capitalism
Wilson returned home with an agreement by the nations attending the Peace conference

13. Republican Rejection
Henry Cabot-Lodge organized a coalition to defeat the League of Nations, and now had the votes to do it.
Most Americans favored the League
Endorsed by several states
Wilson attacked his critics and tried to adjust the Peace Accords, but he could not get Senate approval

14. War Again?
Wilson, furious, threatened to “crush” anyone who opposed him in the creation of the League
Took his case to the people
A tireless Wilson made speech after speech trying to force the Republicans to bow the people’s support
After one such speech Wilson felt ill and returned to the White House to rest
Wilson suffered a massive stroke, which left him paralyzed on his left side
His ability to fight for the League was all but gone
The League would be defeated when Cabot-Lodge and Wilson refused to compromise

15. First Female President?
After Wilson’s stroke, Edith Wilson took charge of the President’s schedule
Wanted to protect him from the public
She controlled who saw him and when
Most historians believe that she made some critcal decisions to spare Wilson any stress
Oftebn been labeled “The Secret President”
First Lady Edith Wilson

16. The Secret President
This 1920 photograph was intended to show Wilson performing his duties, but it only fueled speculation about the level of Mrs. Wilson’s involvement
Due to the President’s paralysis on his left side, Mrs. Wilson has to hold the paper he is signing.

17. War again?
League of Nations, which was already weak around the world, was not joined by the United States, which made it powerless
Germany was stuck paying war reparations, which devastated their economy and future, leading to Hitler’s rise to power.
Territorial disputes would be settled in the old fashioned way: wars…