WWI Peace Process: Wilson, Paris, Versailles Notes

Wilson's Vision: Fourteen Points

  • The Fourteen Points were Wilson's framework for postwar peace. They include:

    • Points 1-5 aim to prevent another war.

    • Points 6-13 promote self-determination; redraw boundaries based on nationalities choosing their own nation.

    • Point 14 calls for a League of Nations.

  • The League of Nations is Wilson's main goal: an international body to handle diplomatic crises and reduce the chance of future wars.

  • Wilson entered negotiations with optimism and idealism, not fully recognizing that other nations would not share the same approach. Allied nations had suffered heavier losses during the war, shaping their positions.

  • Wilson ultimately conceded many of his points to secure the League of Nations.

Paris Peace Conference: Participants and Agendas

  • Goal: decide the final terms of the peace treaty.

  • Participants: Great Britain, France, Italy, United States. The Central Powers and Russia were not invited.

  • The Big Four:

    • David Lloyd-George: British Prime Minister

    • Vittorio Orlando: Italian Prime Minister

    • Georges Clemenceau: French Prime Minister

    • Woodrow Wilson: U.S. President

  • Decision making and agendas:

    • France aimed to prevent future German invasions.

    • Great Britain insisted that Germany pay for the War.

    • Italy sought control of Austrian-held territory.

    • Wilson pressed for a League of Nations.

Treaty of Versailles: Terms and Provisions

  • Signed on June 28, 1919.

  • Terms:

    • Established 99 new nations.

    • Germany barred from maintaining an army, navy, and air force.

    • Alsace-Lorraine returned to France.

    • War reparations: 3333 billion to the Allies.

    • War-guilt clause admitting sole responsibility for the war.

  • Countries Created by World War I: Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia.

  • Austria-Hungary was divided into two countries: 22 (Austria and Hungary).

Wilson Seeks Approval and Senate Opposition

  • Upon returning, Wilson faced mixed public reaction; some Americans felt the treaty was too harsh or feared loss of independence by joining the League.

  • The Senate's irreconcilables opposed the League and the Treaty.

  • Wilson refused to compromise and campaigned to win support; he suffered a stroke on October 2, 1919 and was paralyzed.

  • The Senate defeated the Treaty; the United States never joined the League. A separate treaty with Germany was signed in 1921.

Postwar Adjustments and Domestic Effects

  • Servicemen returning home had trouble finding jobs.

  • Women workers in factories were pushed to return home or were fired to make room for returning soldiers.

  • Discrimination persisted; African American soldiers faced discrimination upon return.

The Effects of World War I and Versailles Legacy

  • The war ended with millions killed and global aftershocks; nonviolence and reform movements emerged in various contexts.

  • Wartime contributions contributed to women's suffrage in Britain and the United States.

  • The postwar period was marked by despair and pessimism in many circles.

  • The German quote from 1919 reflects anger and a foreshadowing of future conflict: Today in the Hall of Mirrors, the disgraceful Treaty is being signed. Do not forget it. The German people will with unceasing labour press forward to reconquer the place among nations to which it is entitled. Then will come vengeance for the shame of 1919.

  • Versailles and its aftermath contributed to tensions that would help fuel World War II about 2121 years later.