Woodrow Wilson’s Peace Plans

¨                 14 Points--pg. 634

¨                 Self-determination—allowing people to decide for themselves under what gov’t they wished to live.

¨                 Called for an association of nationsÞLeague of Nations

¨                 Both sides accepted Wilson’s proposal as basis for peace negotiations

Conflicting Demands Dominated the Conference in Paris

¨                 Groups once part of AH and Ottoman Empire wanted their own nations.  Many groups claimed same lands.

¨               At 1^st, GB and France only want peace.  Now they want Germany to suffer.

¨               Italy wanted its reward for joining the Allied powers.

¨               Russia involved in civil war.  Not invited to conference.

Allies Dictated Peace Treaties

¨                 June 28, 1919—Treaty of Versailles

¨               BIG THREE—dominated the conference

Georges Clemenceau--France

       David Lloyd George—Britain

                                Woodrow Wilson—US

¨               Defeated countries had no say so.  Had to accept terms.

**Territorial Losses**

¨                 Germany lost 13% of land—France, Poland, Belgium, and Denmark all received territory.  France wins back land lost in Franco-Prussian War.

¨               Poland becomes own nation.

¨               Germany loses all territories in Africa and Pacific.

**Military Resistance**

¨                 Size of Germany Army limited.  Could not manufacture war material.

¨               Subs and planes were banned.

**War Guilt**

¨                 Article 231 “war-guilt” clause—placed sole blame for WWI on Germany.

¨               Had to pay severe reparations to the Allies—money to compensate for the $$ of war.

¨               Germany had to pay 31 billion dollars over 30 years

**The League of Nations**

¨                 League of Nations created.  US, Japan, Britain, France, Italy—permanent members of Executive Council—Germany deliberately left out.

¨                 Russia in middle of revolution—also left out

Treaties Create New Nations

¨                 Ottomans lost all land but Turkey

###Break up of Austria-Hungary###

¥      Austria

¥      Hungary

¥      Poland

¥      Czechoslovakia

¥      Yugoslavia

###Russian Losses###

--Allies feared the revolutionary gov’t.  Wanted to protect countries surrounding Russia.  Gave them land.

--Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania all declare independence from Russia 1918.

US Rejects Treaty

--US votes to refuse to join the League of Nations or accept the Treaty of Versailles.

--Treaty of Versailles did little to build lasting peace.  Left a legacy of bitterness and hatred in the Germans

--Leads to WWII