PROCESS TO PEACEEND OF WWI

• Germany sought an armistice (cease fire) on October 3, 1918

ATTEMPTS TO WORLD PEACE

• Wilson’s speech

• Fourteen Points – plan based on what was “right” morally and ethically for ALL nations

• Listed the war aims of the United States

POINTS #1-5

• General principles for peace with Germany

• open covenants for peace

• seas were free for all

• economic barriers removed

• equal trade

• colonial claims were to be readjusted

POINTS #6-13

• Addressed Territorial readjustments to…

• Russia, Belgium, Alsace-Lorraine, Italy, Austria-Hungary, the Balkans, Turkey, and Poland

POINT #14

• Called for a “general association of nations”

• Set up the League of Nations

FORMAL PEACE – TREATY OF VERSAILLES

• November 11, 1918 at 11:00am armistice signed

• 11/11/18 at 11:00am

• Armistice Day Veteran’s Day

• June 28, 1919 Treaty was signed at the Paris Peace Conference

TREATY OF VERSAILLES

• Treaty forced Germany to assume blame for starting the war

• Forced Germany to sign

• Included the formation of the League of Nations

• Germany was forced to give up territories, pay reparations, and reduce its military force

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

• Organized to prevent future conflicts through cooperation

• Organization took place in Geneva, Switzerland in 1920

WHERE WAS THE US?

• US Senate never ratified (signed)the Treaty of Versailles

• Not apart of League of Nations

WHY DIDN’T WE SIGN THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES?

1. President Wilson lost Republican support (Senate was dominantly Republican)

2. US citizens felt sympathy towards Germany

3. Senate was dominantly Isolationist and didn't like the League of Nations

Sometimes people call me an idealist. Well, that is the way I

know I am an American . . . America is the only idealist nation

in the world.”—President Woodrow Wilson

National I must remain and in that way I, like all other Americans, can render the

amplest service to the world.”

—Senator Henry Cabot Lodge

RESULT

• US enacted isolationist policy