history treaty of Versailles

Treaty of Versailles

A peace treaty that created nine new nations and dissolved the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires.

War-Guilt Clause

The provision in the Treaty of Versailles that forced Germany to accept sole responsibility for causing World War I.

Irreconcilables

A group of U.S. senators who opposed the Treaty of Versailles and refused to support U.S. involvement in the League of Nations.

Reservationists

Senators led by Henry Cabot Lodge who were willing to support the Treaty of Versailles but demanded amendments to limit U.S. obligations.

Alsace-Lorraine

A territory returned to France as part of the Treaty of Versailles.

Scuttled

A term referring to the deliberate sinking of the German navy to prevent its use in future conflicts.

League of Nations

An international organization formed after World War I to promote peace, which the U.S. refused to join.

Reparations

Payments made by Germany to the Allies amounting to $33 billion as part of the Treaty of Versailles.

Bolsheviks

The group that seized power in Russia, establishing the first Communist state during World War I.

WWI Death Toll

Approximately 22 million people died in World War I, with more than half being civilians.