1. Making the Peace
Chapter 11
Section 4

2. Pandemic
1918 – Within a few months an outbreak of the flu spread across the world, killing more than 20 million people
In contrast:
8.5 million died in battle during War
Between 6-13 million civilians died during war

5. Financial Toll Huge war debts Battle zones needed reconstruction
Allies insisted the defeated Central Powers pay reparations

6. Political Turmoil
Governments of the Central Powers and Russia had collapsed
Radicals attempted to seize power

7. Paris Peace Conference
Allies met to discuss fate of Europe, Ottoman Empire, and colonies around the world
Central Powers and Russia excluded from negotiation

8. Conflicting Goals Big Three: Woodrow Wilson (U.S. President)
Wants “peace without victory” based on 14 points
David Lloyd George (Britain Prime Minister)
Wants to build a Britain “fit for heroes”
Georges Clemenceau (French leader)
Wanted to weaken Germany so it would never threaten France again
Not a fan of 14 points

9. Problems with the Peace
Italians want Allies to honor secret agreement to give former Austrian lands
People of defeated nations and Russia all demanded own nations, often with overlapping borders
Some ethnic groups would become unwanted minorities
Wilson forced to compromise on 14 points
Would not compromise on League of Nations

10. Treaty of Versailles June 1919, Germans forced to sign Treaty
Germany to assume full blame for causing war
Forced to pay huge reparations
Cost of reconstruction
Pensions for Allied soldiers, or their widows and families
Came to about $30 billion (or $2.7 trillion today)

11. Treaty of Versailles Weakened Germany Limited size of military
Returned Alsace and Lorraine to France
Stripped it of its overseas colonies
Shrunk its borders

12. Treaty of Versailles Germany was upset
Central Powers saw armistice as cease-fire, not surrender
People became angry and soon began looking for scapegoats

13. Self-Determination in Eastern Europe
Poland becomes a nation after 100 years of foreign rule
Baltic nations achieve independence
Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia
Austria-Hungary separate, Czechoslovakia also formed
Yugoslavia formed in Balkans, dominated by Serbia

14. Mandate System Self-Determination Allies created mandates
Only applied to European nations
Allies added to their overseas empire
Allies created mandates
Britain and France gained German colonies in Africa
Japan and Australia gained some Pacific Islands
Mandates were to be “held in trust” until they could stand alone
Colonies felt betrayed

15. League of Nations 40 nations join
Agree to negotiate disputes rather than resort to war
Agree to take common action against aggressor nations

16. League of Nations Senate hesitant
Henry Lodge wants treaty restricted so U.S. not obligated to participate in future wars
Wilson refuses Lodge’s compromises
Treaty not ratified, U.S. does not join League of Nations

17. League of Nations Without U.S. League was very weak
Also, had no power outside membership
Ultimately failed, but important 1st step