wilson's 14 points vs treaty of versailles WWI

blame for war

-14p: no sole blame

-treaty: Germany is solely responsible

-difference/ impact: broad vs. Germany focus

reparations

-14p: no blame, so no reparations

-treaty: Germany must pay $30 billion in reparations

-difference/ impact: no reparations vs. places economic strain on only Germany

territorial changes

-14p: Alsace-Lorraine and other territories return to France, Belgium restored, Russia left alone to develop, independent polish and Turkish states created, balkan region and Italian borders readjusted, Austria-Hungary develop independent (self-determination)

-treaty: Germany loses colonies/ they’re given to Allied nations, independent Polish state created

-difference/ impact: independent states created + borders changed vs. ignoring self-determination in many areas

military limits

-14p: general disarmament

-treaty: Germany must disarm, ship blockades are prohibited

-difference/ impact: all nations decrease armaments vs. focused only on Germany (disadvantage/ imbalance to Germany)

League of Nations

-14p: will be implemented to establish peace → needed for peace

-treaty: created to settle disputes

-difference/ impact: US does not join League → discredits/ weakens League (US is a global power)

why was the Treaty of Versailles so harsh on Germany?

-other European nations felt threatened by Germany (the US didn’t since it’s safely overseas away from Germany)