The Treaty of Versailles & Debate Over the League of Nations

■Essential Question:–What were the major provisions of

Wilson’s 14 Points & the Treaty of Versailles?

The End of World War I■ The world was transformed by WWI:

– 22 million soldiers & civilians had died; 20 million were wounded; 10 million became refugees

– Towns & farms along the Western & Eastern Fronts were destroyed

– The war cost an estimated $338 billion & massive funds were needed to rebuild Europe

22 million dead

20 million wounded

WWI Deaths (Not Including Wounded or POW)

Devastation in Europe Due to WWI

Before the War: Village of Esnes After the War: Village of Esnes

Devastation in Europe Due to WWI

Before the War: Hotel de la Princerie, Verdun After the War: Hotel de la Princerie, Verdun

Wilson’s Fourteen Points■ President Woodrow Wilson believed

that America ought to take a lead in shaping the peace process

■ Near the end of the war, President Wilson developed his peace plan known as the Fourteen Points:– Based on eliminating the reasons

for WWI (militarism, imperialism)– Hoped to avoid all future wars by

creating an international forum to discuss & arbitrate problems

PAIRS Activity: Examining Wilson’s Fourteen Points

• In pairs, examine Wilson’s Fourteen Points:–Using the chart in your notes, write in your

own words what each section of Wilson’s peace plan means.

–Develop an image or symbol that captures the main idea for each section of the plan.

–Do not write anything in the column titled: “Was this point part of the Treaty of Versailles?” (We will do this a bit later!)

–Be prepared for a quick class discussion.

Wilson’s Fourteen Points■ President Wilson’s Fourteen Points contained three

main themes: ■ (Points 1-5) Create new rules that would eliminate the

causes of WWI– No more secret treaties– Reduction of militaries– Freedom of the seas– International control over colonies to end

imperialism

Wilson’s Fourteen Points■ (Points 6-13) Divide weak empires like Austria-

Hungary & the Ottoman Empire into new nations based on national “self-determination”– New nations should have their borders drawn

with consideration to ethnic & national identities– New nations should be free to choose their own

governments

Wilson’s Fourteen Points■ (Point 14) To create a League of Nations to settle all

future international problems by compromise rather than by war

The Treaty of Versailles, 1919■ Wilson traveled to the Paris Peace Conference

in 1919 to help create the Treaty of Versailles:– He hoped his Fourteen Points would become

the framework for the peace treaty– But, Wilson quickly learned that European

leaders did not share his vision for a “peace without victory” & wanted Germany to be punished

British Prime Minister David Lloyd George

Italian Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando

French Premier George Clemenceau

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson

“The Big Four”

During the peace process, Wilson had to compromise some of his Fourteen Points

The Treaty of Versailles, 1919■ Delegates agreed to create a League of Nations

that included:– An agreement that member nations would work

together to stop future acts of aggression

The Treaty of Versailles, 1919■ Other treaty provisions included:

– Austria-Hungary was split in two, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, & Poland were formed

– Germany had to accept the “war guilt clause,” pay $33 billion in reparations, & lost all colonies

– No mention of free trade; No end to imperialism, no reduction in militaries for any of the Allies

Europe & Middle East Before & After

World War I

Central Europe was redrawn to reduce the power of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

Land was taken from Germany & given to Poland; Germany’s border with France was

demilitarized to avoid a future invasion

New nations were created from territory taken from Russia (who left WWI early

after the Bolshevik Revolution)

The Ottoman Empire was divided; Britain & France gained mandates in the

Middle East

The Treaty of Versailles, 1919

On June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed by Germany & officially ended WWI

But, many U.S. Senators did not like the treaty because of the League of Nations

But, President Wilson could not sign the treaty because Article I of the Constitution gives the

Senate the power to ratify all treaties

Points 1-5:New International Rules?

Points 6-13:Divided Empires, New Nations,

Self-Determination?

Point 14: A League of Nations?

■ Essential Question:–Why did the USA refuse to ratify the Treaty

of Versailles or join the League of Nations?

■ Warm-Up Question:–What were the major themes of Wilson’s

Fourteen Points?–Why don’t you think more of his Fourteen

Points made it into the Treaty of Versailles?

The Treaty of Versailles, 1919■ All the major European

powers signed the Treaty of Versailles & joined the League

■ But, the Senate was divided about what joining the League would mean for the future of the United States

Rejection in the Senate■ Many members of the Senate attacked the

League of Nations:– Wilson did not want to weaken the League of

Nations & refused to compromise with the Senate

– Wilson toured the U.S. to gain public support for the treaty, but had a stroke during the tour

■ In 1920, the Senate voted against the treaty & U.S. membership in the League of Nations

The U.S. never joined the League & signed its own peace treaty with Germany in 1921

Members of the League of Nations (in black)

Conclusions■ The impact of the Great War:

– The U.S. began the 20th century as an imperial power & reluctantly entered WWI to protect free trade

– Involvement in WWI led to changes for women & African-Americans, an economic boom, & the restriction of liberties

The U.S. played a major role in the peace process, but refusal to join the League weakened the ability of world leaders to stop World War II