Woodrow Wilson His Fourteen Points In early 1919

Woodrow Wilson & His Fourteen Points

In early 1919, President Wilson traveled to Versailles, France for a peace conference. • He met with European leaders and presented a plan for peace based on his Fourteen Points. • Wilson’s vision of a postwar world was grounded in the idea of “peace without victory. ”

Wilson’s Fourteen Points made specific proposals to promote future peace. Practice open diplomacy. Allow freedom of the seas. • Encourage free trade. • Reduce arms stockpiles. • • • Scale back colonialism. • Encourage self-determination of nations. • Establish a League of Nations.

The Fourteenth Point • Established the League of Nations • The foundation for what we have today, the United Nations • Wilson believed countries working together would promote peace

The Paris Peace Conference • 32 Nations. Germany and allies not invited • Big Four (David Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau, Vittorio Orlando, & Wilson

Allied leaders at Versailles wanted reparations. • European leaders did not share Wilson’s vision of peace without victory. • They wanted Germany to pay for war damages. • They also wanted to protect European colonialism and expand their countries’ territories.

One by one, Wilson’s Fourteen Points were rejected, leaving only the League of Nations. • The League of Nations was an organization where countries could come together to resolve disputes peacefully. • Wilson’s proposal to create a League of Nations was added to the Treaty of Versailles.

Goals of the Paris Peace Conference • Wilson wanted to bring peace to Europe. League of Nations • France and other nations wanted to punish Germany • Wilson saw the importance of rebuilding Europe and strengthening relationships between the countries

The Treaty of Versailles • Peace treaty signed between the Allies and Germany • Signed on June 28, 1919

Wilson’s Views on the Treaty • Felt it was too harsh to the Germans • Did not include all of Wilson’s “ 14 Points” *Treaty required Germany to reparations, established 9 new nations, and Germany had to give up much of it’s military.

Wilson returned to face a hostile Senate, where two groups opposed the treaty. • The “reservationists, ” led by Henry Cabot Lodge, opposed the treaty as written but were willing to negotiate changes. • The “irreconcilables” were isolationists who opposed the League of Nations.

Wilson was unwilling to compromise on the treaty. • On a speaking tour to promote the League of Nations in September 1919, Wilson became ill and suffered a stroke. • As he lay near death, the Senate voted, refusing to ratify the Treaty of Versailles.

Wilson’s Prediction • If the United States did not join the League of Nations, Wilson warned, “ I can predict with absolute certainty that within another generation there will be another world war if the nations of the world do not concert [agree upon] the method by which to prevent it. ”

Impact of World War I • 14 million dead • 7 million disabled • Cost more than $280 billion

Impacts of the War Political Impacts Economic Impacts • Monarchies ended in Europe • European economies destroyed • 9 new nations in Europe • American economy became #1 • League of Nations created • Consumerism boomed in U. S.

Social Impacts • Increased Women’s Rights • Passage of the 19 th Amendment • Mass migration of African Americans to North

Fourteen Points vs. Treaty of Versailles • Which of Wilson’s Fourteen Points made it into the Treaty of Versailles? • Why was Wilson so set on creating world peace? • Why did the European countries not agree with Wilson’s points • Why would the Senate refuse to sign the treaty?

• Write down 1 question that you still have about WWI or something that we covered. • Write down 3 things that you have learned about WWI.