Chapter 24, Section 4: The Failed Peace
Main Idea: President
Woodrow Wilson went to
the Paris Peace
Conference with high
hopes but failed to achieve
his goal of a just and
lasting peace.
A. Wilson’s Plan for Peace
 The Fourteen Points- Wilson’s
plan for peace; meant to prevent
international problems from causing
another war
 Key Goals:
no secret alliances (cause of WWI)
freedom of seas (cause of US in WWI)
reduce militaries (anti-militarism)
self-determination (decide your own
form of govt – anti-imperialism)
 League of Nations (world peace)
 Weaknesses-too vague and
unrealistic
B. The Paris Peace Conference
The “Big Four”-Wilson(US), George(GB),
Clemenceau(France), Orlando (Italy)
Wilson wanted “peace without victory.” Other 3
wanted revenge/harsh treatment for Germany.
Treaty of Versailles (June 1919)-Germany
was not represented at the talks, but was
forced to sign the treaty (very harsh):
Germany was Blamed for war
had to pay for damages(Reparations), was
disArmed, and lost all of its colonies/Territory
(given to Allies).
3 new nations were created in E. Europe:
Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia.
The League of Nations is created (world
peace).
German Territorial Losses: 1919-1921
How
the Treaty
of Versailles
to the of
start
of WWII?
Whatdidwere
the four
MAIN, orcontribute
“root” causes
World
War I?
World
WorldWar
WarI II
Versailles Treaty
- Germany was forced
to:
· take full blame for the
war
· completely disarm
· pay huge reparations
to the Allies
· give up it’s colonies
to the Allies
* Germany was an
angry, humiliated
nation, setting the stage
for World War II.
Germany
blamed for
war; had to
pay for
damages
Germany not
represented,
but forced to
sign treaty
Germany
disarmed
& loses its
colonies
Treaty of Versailles
Leads to WWII
- The Allies agreed to form the League of Nations.
C. The Senate and
the Treaty
Many Americans, led by Sen. Henry Cabot
Lodge, opposed the treaty because of the
League of Nations. They wanted to avoid
further involvement in European affairs
(isolationism)
Wilson went on a speaking tour to
promote the League and drum up
support, but suffered a stroke that left
him bed-ridden
In 11/19, the Senate rejects the Versailles
Treaty and, with it, the League of Nations.
The U.S. will sign its own treaty with
Germany in 1921 and the League will
eventually fail because it is too weak
without the U.S.
Senator Henry Cabot
Lodge objected to many
parts of the treaty for the
following reasons.
· Lodge believed that the
League of Nations should
not have to protect any
nation whose territory was
threatened.
· He believed that the U.S.
should remain independent
of the League of Nations.
· He also felt that Congress
should have the power to
decide whether or not to
follow the League of
Nations.
* Pres. Wilson refused to
compromise on the treaty.
* In November of 1919 the
Senate rejected the
Versailles Treaty.