Topic 4, Lesson 9: Why was there Renewed Isolationism after World War One?

Topic 4, Lesson 9: Why was there Renewed Isolationism after World War One?

The Aims of the Big Three at the Paris Peace Conference

• What were 2 aims of Woodrow Wilson at the Paris Peace Conference?

• What were the aims of David Lloyd George at the Paris Peace Conference?

• What were the aims of Georges Clemenceau at the Paris Peace Conference?

Woodrow Wilson’s Aims:

(1) Fourteen Points to create fair peace based on people’s self determination i.e. countries would be created based on the population’s desire

This is how Poland was created

(2) League of Nations to resolve international arguments in the future without a need for war (collective security)

David Lloyd George’s Aims:

Before 1918 (in which year Britain had a general election) he agreed with the public and wanted to make Germany pay for the war

After the 1918 election he appreciated that Germany was an important trading partner with the UK

Main desire was to reduce the size of Germany’s navy to ensure Germany lost it’s overseas empire

Georges Clemenceau’s Aims:

(1) Wanted to punish Germany harshly to keep it weak so it could never attack France again

Remember, WW1 fighting occurred in mainland Europe i.e. France and Belgium

(2) He wanted Germany to pay for all the damage caused by the war.

Topic 4, Lesson 9: Why was there Renewed Isolationism after World War One?

The Treaty of Versailles

• What military restrictions were Germany placed under by means of the Treaty of Versailles:

  • number of men the German army was limited to

• How was the League of Nations involved in the Treaty of Versailles?

• How was war guilt dealt with within the Treaty of Versailles?

Military Restrictions:

Germany was limited to 100,000 men in its’ army

German army was forbidden from introducing conscription (forcing men into the army by law)

League of Nations:

Established to enforce the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, resolve future disputes between countries and prevent any future world war

War Guilt:

Germany had to accept sole responsibility for the war under Article 231

Germany had to pay £6,600 million in reparations (war fines) to the allies.

Topic 4, Lesson 9: Why was there Renewed Isolationism after World War One?

Wilson’s 14 Points and League of Nations

• What were the 14 points?

• Why were the 14 points created?

• Summarise the 14 points

• How did Wilson’s 14 points contribute to the Treaty of Versailles? Think about myths.

• What did Wilson’s efforts as a peace breaker earn him in 1919?

• What was the aim of the League of Nations?

• What was the League of Nations an early form of?

The 14 Points:

1: Open diplomacy (No secret treaties)

2: Freedom of the seas

3: Free trade

4: Disarmament

5: Fair voting system to resolve colonial dispute

The first five are considered general principles to maintain orderly relations between countries, based in part on what had gone wrong and led to war.

6-13: Based on the rights of people to self-determination. This included borders being redrawn according to the wishes of local populations.

14: A League of Nations

An international organisation for peacekeeping and mutual co-operation which all signatories of the treaties should join.

It is a myth that the Treaty of Versailles was every based fully on the Fourteen Points.

Self-determination could not please everyone.

However, Wilson’s efforts did win him the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize.

The League of Nations was an early form of the United Nations.

Topic 4, Lesson 9: Why was there Renewed Isolationism after World War One?

US rejection of the League of Nations

• How many Republican senators signed a document condemning the League of Nations?

• What issues would Wilson have to compromise over in order to achieve his League of Nations?

• Why did Wilson’s campaigning for US membership to the League of Nations fail?

• How many votes did a compromise bill fail by?

• Who proposed the bill?

• Who were middle and strong reservationists?

• How many strokes did Wilson have?

• When did Wilson die?

In order to achieve US acceptance of the League of Nations, Wilson would have to compromise over other issues such as self-determination and German war guilt.

Wilson’s Health:

• decided, against doctors advice, to go on a tour of the US in September 1919 in order to win support for US membership into the League of Nations

• tour was very exhausting

• Wilson made 37 speeches in 2 days

• On 25th September, Wilson collapsed after a speech in Pueblo, Colorado

• In total, Wilson had 3 strokes, the last of which would kill him in 1924

Wilson refused to compromise:

• some members of the senate - known as the middle and strong reservationists - were not totally against US membership to the League of Nations and were willing to negotiate and compromise on terms

• Senator Lodge introduced a compromise bill in the Senate in November which Wilson told the Democrats to oppose.

  The bill failed by 53 votes to 38.