sign in sign up
<<
Home , Central Powers, Treaty of Versailles, World War I

The & The Failure of the WWI What role did the US play in the end of World I?  As a result of its role in I, the emerged as a dominant global power. – Economic – – Political

 President Woodrow wanted to limit future conflicts – Examples of Wilson’s Fourteen Points

Freedom of the End secret

Reduction of arms Respect for National Self Determination Fair adjustment of A colonies Two Armed Camps! Allied Powers: : What influenced Wilson about

the war?!

 Total casualties: 37 million – Total killed in WWI: 10-11 million – 1 in 8 young men in died – 62% of all European men fought at some point in the war. – Total wounded in WWI: 30 million

 Total amount spent directly on the war: $180 billion Destruction of The Death Toll of World War I Other “Casualties” of World War I Great Britain, America and France were the three powerful Allies and they wanted to exert their influence upon the Treaty of Versailles (“Big Three”)

Yet they wanted different things… David Lloyd Wilson George George Clemenceau Lloyd George (UK)

• to be justly punished, but not too harshly

•Germany to lose its and colonies as these were a threat to Britain's own navy and

•Germany and Britain to become trading partners

BUT Overall, Lloyd George did not want to punish Germany too harshly as he did not want Germany seeking revenge in the future Clemenceau (France)

• to cripple Germany so it couldn't France again.

•Wanted Germany broken down into smaller states (weakened).

France had suffered the most during the war so Clemenceau was under great pressure from the to make Germany pay. Wilson (USA)

• a better and more peaceful world

• a League of Nations that would help and support each other and help to promote

• the right to self-determination. The right to decide which country you wish to be governed by

The U.S.A. had joined war late (1917) and hadn't suffered as much as the other Allies in terms of and material costs.

So what did all these competing world leader come up with in the end?

Let’s take a look!!! Germany had to accept total responsibility for starting the First World War. this was called the War Guilt Clause or Article 231. Germany had to pay million in reparations to cover war damages and other Allied losses.

These were called “” Germany had to hand over some 70,000 square kilometres of land. This accounted for about 13% of all of her land and six million of her people who lived there. 17 1914 When War Began Europe after the Treaty of Versailles Germany was to have her colonies taken away from her.

These colonies were to become mandates run by the Allies on behalf of the League of Nations (“mandates”). The was to have no more than 100,000 men and the navy was limited to 15,000 sailors.

There was to be no airforce and no . The German navy was only allowed six and Germany was forbidden to buy any more and other war material. An Allied Army was to occupy the for a period of fifteen years.

No German troops were to be allowed into the occupation zone. Germany also gets a new “” government to help prevent future dictators / …very weak…

This is known as the The Treaty also created an international organization to oversee that no future wars started & all aspects of the Treaty were followed

The League of Nations Not to Be Confused… What was the League of Nations?

 International for the preservation of peace, with headquarters at Geneva  League existed from 1920 to 1946  First meeting was held in Geneva, on Nov. 15, 1920, with 42 nations represented  Last meeting was held on , 1946  During the last meeting, the league was superseded by the (UN) Palace of Justice 29 The first meeting of the Assembly in 1920 30 What were the positive aspects of the League of Nations?

 A few… – Open dialogue & discussion for nations – “Talk over war” – “Mutual protection” – Platform for addressing global issues

 Wilson had hoped this would be a force for good & peace in the world What negative aspects came out of the League of Nations?

 Many… – No lasting peace plan – Disliked by many nations (Germany) – Did not acknowledge other cultures / groups – “Not peace, but revenge” – “No backbone” = US never joined Germany Anger Towards Treaty A missing piece? US Senate Fails to Pass the Treaty US Senate: NO LEAGUE FOR YOU!!!! Wilson’s Failing Health What was the lasting impact of the Treaty of Versailles / The League of Nations?

 The Treaty & the League of Nations failed to stop future conflict – Made future wars unavoidable

 Wilson’s vision for peace not realized until much later…