End of the Great WarThe Conference, The Treaty and Everything in Between

US Influence in the War

Prior to the U.S. becoming involved in the war on January of 1918 President Wilson presented his war aims.

Wilson’s war aims were found in his 14 points.

It was inevitable that the allies would win the war so Wilson, a staunch internationalist, presented his picture of post war Europe.

Wilson’s 14 Points

He delivered the speech to the US Congress

(legislature of the United States).

It was intended to assure the country that

the Great War was being fought for a moral

cause and for postwar peace in Europe

Idealism dominated his speech to the U.S.

congress where Wilson was presented as a

‘moral leader’ for the world.

Wilson’s 14 Points

He delivered the speech to the US Congress

(legislature of the United States).

It was intended to assure the country that

the Great War was being fought for a moral

cause and for postwar peace in Europe

Idealism dominated his speech to the U.S.

congress where Wilson was presented as a

‘moral leader’ for the world.

In the end, only 4 of the 14 points were

implemented

Wilson’s 14 Points 1. The abolition of secret treaties

Secret treaties were common before the First World War, and many blamed them for helping spark the conflict.

2. The freedom of the seas

Freedom of navigation outside territorial waters at times of war and peace, but also allowed for total and partial blockades "for the enforcement of international covenants". This proposal was opposed in particular by the United Kingdom.

3. Free trade

Free trade provided for the removal of economic barriers between peaceful nations, also called for the introduction of equality in trading conditions.

4. Disarmament

Disarmament "to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety".

5. Adjustment of colonial claims.

Called for decolonization and national self-determination for formerly colonized countries, and for the people of the world to give equal weight to the opinions of the colonized peoples as to those of the colonial powers.

Wilson’s 14 Points

Points six through thirteen were more specific, dealing with the situation of specific countries:

6. Russia

In the aftermath of the October Revolution and the context of the ongoing Civil War, Russia was to be assured its independent development. This also called for a withdrawal from occupied Russian territory.

7. The restoration of Belgium

Belgium to be evacuated and restored to status prior to WW I

8. Alsace-Lorraine

France had lost Alsace-Lorraine to Germany following the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War; it was to be returned.

9. Italy

The borders of Italy were to be redrawn on lines of nationality. Ignoring the territorial promises made under the secret 1915 London Pact, whereby Italy was persuaded to enter the war on the Allies' side, this became a source of resentment in that country.

10. Austria-Hungary

Autonomous development of the peoples of Austria-Hungary (as the Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolved).

Wilson’s 14 Points

11. Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, and other Balkan states

The integrity of Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, and other Balkan states was to be respected, their territories de-occupied, and Serbia was to be given access to the Adriatic Sea.

12. Ottoman Empire

Sovereignty for the Turkish portion of the Ottoman Empire, autonomous development for other nationalities, and free navigation of the Dardanelles.

13. The Polish question.

The establishment of an independent Poland with access to the sea.

Wilson’s 14 Points

Wilson's final point was perhaps the most visionary:

14. A general association of nations

Point 14 called for a multilateral international association of nations to enforce the peace, foreshadowing the League of Nations (and, after the Second World War, the United Nations

Idealistic and visionary: SELF DETERMINATION, (form their own nation-state/government, thinking as one nation).

Armistice

When the armistice was signed on Nov. 11, 1918 the only thing left to do was sign a peace settlement.

After much deliberation the most important treaty was signed with Germany at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919.

This treaty would be known as the ‘Treaty of Versailles’

Other treaties would also be signed with the other Central Powers.

Many Treaties

Treaty of St. Germain-(Austria) lost land on edge

of country to neighbours. Size of Army limited.

Sept. 1919

Treaty of Trianon- (Hungary) Lost land and

limited size of army. June 1920

Treaty of Neuilly- (Bulgaria) Lost land and

limited size of army. Nov. 1919

Treaty of Sevres- Lost land- Initial treaty gave up

territory in Middle East to Britain and France

through L. of N. Aug. 1920 Turkey’s leader

‘Kemal’ renegotiated new treaty Lausanne 1923.

Paris Peace Conference1919

The signing of the Treaty of Versailles took place

The victorious nations (The Allies) signed treaties with the defeated nations (Central Powers)

Major decisions during this meeting were made by “The Big Four”

Georges Clemenceau (France)

Woodrow Wilson (USA)

David Lloyd George (Britain)

Vittorio Orlando (Italy)

The Big Four

George Clemenceau David Lloyd GeorgeWoodrow WilsonFrance USA Britain

Motivated by Revenge

Many homes and infrastructure were destroyed

2/3 of soldiers were killed

Motivated by Peace

Wanted peaceful cooperation among nations

Motivated by Compensation/ Stability

Wanted Germany to be punished, but not severely; avoid another war.

“Germany is going to pay. We will get everything you can squeeze out of a lemon, and a bit more. The Germans

should hand over everything they own.”

Excerpt from a speech in 1918 by Sir Eric Geddes, a British politician standing for

election as an MP

The Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties at the end of WWI

It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied powers on June 28th, 1919

Germans were forced to sign the “Diktat”/Dictated Peace (harsh punitive/settlement) otherwise hostilities would be renewed. No negotiations forced on the Germans.

The Treaty of Versailles

Details of the Treaty:

Germany to give up territory in Europe. Alsace-Lorraine returned to France, Schleswig to Denmark, Eastern territory to Poland.

Germany lost all colonies in Africa and Asia. Lost valuable territories in China. Japan took these gains in China

Army to be reduced to 100 000 men. No conscription. Navy allowed 15 000 men. No Air Force.

The Treaty of Versailles

Details of the Treaty (Con’t)…

The Saar Basin- a rich coal area on the Western border of Germany would be taken over by the L of N. Resources would be given to France. In 1935 the people would vote not to join France.

The Rhineland would be cleared of all armed forces and as a result would be a ‘buffer zone’ separating Germany from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands

Germany and Austria were never to merge.

The Treaty of Versailles

Details of the Treaty (Con’t)…

The last point: Germany had to take full responsibility

for starting the war. This would be known as The war

guilt clause. Attached to this would be a bill for

$33 000 000 000. These reparations would cripple

Germany!

The new government called the Weimar Republic

replaced the 2nd Reich (formerly led by Wilhelm II who

was now holed up in the Netherlands). The new gov’t

did not want to sign the Treaty but in the end did not

have a choice.

Germany’s reaction

So a dictated peace that was perceived to be ‘harsh’ by many parties was forced upon the Germans…what would their reaction be?

German leader Ebert and the Weimar Republic immediately came under political, social, and economic pressure back home.

They were resented by many people in Germany for signing the Treaty.

Germany’s reaction

As part of the Treaty of Versailles was the idea of signing on to the League of the Nations.

Wilson compromised on some issues in order to get his 14th point through….but despite his best efforts the United States did not ratify the Treaty. The establishment of the League of Nations would go forward without it’s creator and biggest supporter.

The Legacy

Germany would be saddled with unimaginable debt that

would plunge the country into economic hardship.

The result was said to be a compromise that nobody liked. Henry

Kissinger called the treaty a "brittle compromise agreement between

American utopianism and European paranoia - too conditional to

fulfill the dreams of the former, too tentative to alleviate the fears

of the latter."

A legacy of bitterness would be left that would pave the

way for the rise of Hitler

Without the U.S. the League of Nations would be an

extension of British and French foreign policy.

Europe Before WWI

Europe After WWI

League of Nations

Birth of the League

Nobody wanted to repeat the mass slaughter of

the war

WW1 should be “the war that ended all wars”

Countries needed to find a place to meet and

find peaceful solutions

With this, the leaders of the major powers

couldn’t agree on what the organization should

be about.

(Eg. For emergencies or a militarized group or

world parliament).

Based on Wilsons 14 points.

League’s Aims

Encourage Co-operation

Peace in the World

Disarmament

Improve Social Conditions

League’s Strengths

Many countries supported it in the early days.

There was a real desire for co-operation

Settled some land disputes

Helped refugees, dealt with spread of diseases

Better conditions for people.

League’s Weakness

USA did not join (Even though it was Pres.

Wilson’s idea).

USA was weary of getting involved in Europe’s

affairs and wanted to isolate from them.

The league did not have an army: Relied on

Sanctions on a country (Eg: Stop Trading).

Disarmament was not realistic.

Absence of powerful countries: did not have a

strong appeal without the powerful countries of

the world (US/Russia).

Everyone must agree in order to get something

done.

League’s FAILURE

F- France and Britain Afraid of War

A- Absent Powers (USA and Russia)

I – Ineffective Sanctions

L – Lack of an armed force

U – Unfair Treaty (Dealing with Hitler)

R – Reaching decisions too slowly

E – European Club, everyone had to agree.