us' main contributions to the allied victory had been food products, munitions, credits, oil, and manpower (though no major victories in battle)
prospect, rather than presence, of infinite us troops was what demoralized the germans into defeat

goals of the big four

wilson (us): controlled much of the conversation, establish world parliament (league of nations), preventing vengeance against opposing side
victors would not take possession of the conquered territory outright, but would receive it as trustees of the league of nations
orlando (italy):fiume (italy v yugoslavia)
david lloyd george (britain):
clemenceau (france): rhineland + saar valley (coal)

treaty of versailles: key provisions + treatment of germany

only 4/23 of wilson's original points were thoroughly addressed in the treaty
some of his points had to be sacrificed in order to form the league of nations
germany feels betrayed, this is cited by people such as adolf hitler when tensions begin to build, eventually starting wwii

reactions to the treaty of versailles in the us

different "sides" on the treaty; arguments + reasons for rejection

many republicans (enough to overrule the bill in congress) were opposed to because they believed it was ineffective or too controlling overall
opposed by isolationists → didn't want american involvement in the league of nations
opposed by ___-americans (eg. german-americans, italian-americans) for a failure to benefit their respective homelands
irish-americans believed that it gave too much power to britain through the league of nations as the treaty would allow five additional votes to britain due to its overseas dominions → they believed that it would stifle irish independence efforts and once again, give undue influence to britain

role of president wilson

internationally recognized as a beacon of peace and power, initially acclaimed across europe as the man who brought an end to wwi
in aiming to solidify himself as a strong leader, he promised democratic victory in the us election of 1918 → republicans ended up gaining a small majority in congress and thus tarnishing his otherwise strong reputation among world leaders going into paris
now viewed as a fallen idol and effective traitor to all european countries - whether admonished in italy for his failure to provide fiume or germany for the lack of all his points in the treaty of versailles

Note