Aims of Peacemakers 1919 1920 End of World

Aims of Peacemakers 1919 -1920

End of World War I • WWI had a exceptionally high human cost - 9 million soldiers killed (15% of all combatants – in France 20% of men between the ages of 20 -40 were killed) - millions more permanently disabled or killed by famine/disease • The economic cost of the war was devastating (esp. in Europe) - cost billions to finance the war (all nations had borrowed money to pay for war efforts) - land, rail, farm and industry were destroyed (esp. in France) - loss of trade from foreign investments • Presented Asian nations with an opportunity for growth - Japanese territorial expansion (German holdings in China, Pacific) - China wanted help from US in regaining lost territory, release from Japanese demands

Beginning Peace After WWI ended and the process of peacemaking began, each side was hoping to gain territory and strategic influence (this is how traditional peace conferences had worked). World leaders met in Paris to attempt negotiations…(25 nations total) The US joined the war as an “associated power” and was not bound to honor pre-existing agreements between the Allied Powers. • Primary Leadership: US (Wilson), Britain (Lloyd George), • France (Clemenceau), Italy (Orlando) • Absent: Germany (and all other Central Powers)

Challenges in Paris The conference was complicated by the presence of the US (Wilson and his Fourteen Points) – his goal was to create a lasting peace that would prevent future wars This idealism was an entirely new concept and was met with tremendous resistance by the other nations present – this made the creation of a treaty much more difficult! The resulting treaty didn’t satisfy winners or losers (esp. Italy, who was expecting big territorial gains). The ineffectual nature of the treaty led to greater problems throughout Europe and the Middle East.

Expectations Idealism • Wish to develop a new world order • Find a diplomacy that would promote a lasting peace (reconciliation and compromise) (US) Revenge (Britain, France) • Strong desire to punish countries (Germany) that caused the conflict • Wanted to get most compensation (money, territory) as possible

Background Factors Idealism • Grand objectives promised by leaders to public • “war to end all wars” • “making the world safe for democracy” • Raised expectations to an unattainable level Bolshevism Breakup of Major Powers • Fear that bolshevism would spread • Austria-Hungary • Ottoman Empire • Seen as a threat to liberal civilization in the west • Creation of new nations (Turkey, (left the Middle East without a stabilizing power) Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia)

Background Factors • • Pull Factors for Communism Democratic Representation Poverty Unemployment Oppression Lack of education • All major leaders were democratic (had to answer to a public back home) • Beg. of mass media (extensive propaganda, inflammatory rhetoric, easy reporting of details, relentless demand for info) Fourteen Points • Belief in “collective security” • Assumed all people (leaders) were rational and logical – war could be prevented if nations cooperated

Fourteen Points • Announced by Wilson in January 1918 – declared that WWI was being fought for a moral cause and calling for a postwar peace in Europe (outlined terms regarding issues that Wilson believed had led to the war) • It was the only explicit statement of war aims by any nation fighting in WWI. Key points included - “self-determination” of nations - German disarmament - freedom of the seas - creation of the League of Nations

Fourteen Points • Criticism includes the fact that it was too vague, failed to address challenging details that would interfere with acceptance of League of Nations, too idealistic and emotional, made assumption that leaders would want to act in the most logical and rational way (is what is considered “logic and reason” the same in all cultures? ) • Wilson won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 for his attempts to promote world peace