An Uneasy Peace

An Uneasy Peace Nov. 1918 27 countries 5 months Neither Germany

nor Russia is represented

“Big Four” dominant

Essential Questions

What were Wilson’s Fourteen Points?Why did the Allies not agree with

Wilson?What was the Treaty of Versailles?Why did the US Senate reject it?What were some consequences of the

war?

The Hall of Mirrors

The Fourteen Points

Three main elements:1. New European boundaries formed from

the defeated A-H and Ottoman empires = right of all peoples to “national self-determination”

2. General principles governing international conduct

3. A League of Nations which would implement these principles and resolve future conflicts

Article X The most controversial both at home

and abroad “members undertake to respect and

preserve as against external aggression and territorial integrity and existing political independence of all Members”

U.S. critics1. Surrender of national sovereignty2. Power to declare war held by Congress

Wilson in Paris

The Hall of Mirrors

Who attended/controlled the peace conference?

David Lloyd George – Great Britain

Woodrow Wilson – U.S.Georges Clemenceau –

FranceVittorio Orlando – ItalyRussia and Central Powers

were not invited

France: George Clemenceau

Italy: Vittorio Orlando

G.B.: David Lloyd George

Hailed by the European public, Wilson found a hostile atmosphere at Versailles among the

“Big Four”

U.S.: Woodrow Wilson

The Treaty Of Versailles Self-determination finds limited

appeal– Nine new nations in Europe– No independence for German colonies– GB, France, and Japan seize

War guilt clause and the forced reparation of $33 billion to GB and France–The seeds are sown for the rise of

the Nazi Party League of Nations is accepted

What were Allied Motives?–Clemenceau wanted to make sure Germany never invaded France again

–David Lloyd George wanted revenge

–Orlando wanted land from Austria

How were the 14 Points received in Paris?

Germany had surrendered on the basis of the 14 Points

At first accepted – then ignored–Self-determination limited…–Mandate system of protectorates gave Britain and France control of old German and Turkish colonies

The Treaty Fight

Wilson’s miscalculations 1918 midterm elections

– Republicans capture Congress No Republicans with US delegation 16 extreme enemies

“Irreconcilables” Republican Henry Cabot Lodge

– Opposed to League– Offers amendments weakening League

Senator Henry Cabot Lodge

What were Wilson’s mistakes in this process?

1st President to travel to Europe during his presidency – can’t control public opinion

Campaigned for a Democratic victory in 1918 – When he doesn’t get it, it appears that he lacks support

Who was Wilson’s opposition at home?

Irreconcilables – 16 Senators who opposed the treaty in any form

Reservationists – Led by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge – had reservations about the treaty…

The Treaty Fight

Mutual hatred Wilson refuses

– Takes his League to the American people– 8,000 mile journey – Suffers a paralyzing stroke– Calls on Democrats to vote against Lodge’s

version– Treaty fails ratification– The US never signs the Treaty nor does it join

the League of Nations

•Failed to take any prominent Republicans with him to the peace conference•Underestimated the Europeans

How did Wilson respond to his opposition?

Took the Treaty and the League to the American people

8,000 mile speaking tour MidwestPacificEast

36 speeches in 23 daysSept. 25 – collapsed in Pueblo,

ColoSuffered stroke – partially

paralyzed

Did we sign the Treaty of Versailles?

Nov. Lodge brought treaty with reservations to a vote

Wilson told Dems to vote against39 for and 55 againstCongress considered Wilson’s

treaty – 38 for and 53 againstMarch 19, 1920 – Lodge treaty –

49 for and 35 against – 7 short of necessary 2/3

The Russian Revolution and America’s Response

Czar’s repressive and corrupt government falls

Provisional government under Kerensky stays in war

Soldiers hate the war Lenin promises “peace, land,

& bread” Bolsheviks call for a worldwide

revolution against capitalism

Red Scare 1920 Palmer Raids

– 6,000 people in 33 cities arrested– 600 aliens deported

No evidence of a grand Communist revolution was ever discovered

By the spring of 1920, Palmer is discredited

Red Scare The accusation of Bolshevism became a

powerful weapon. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer uses the

1918 Alien Act to deport any immigrant found to be a member of a revolutionary organization.

1919 Palmer Raids in 11 cities – 249 people deported

Conclusion A “second industrial revolution” Progressive movement ends Prohibition Powerful new industries of advertising

and public relations Political xenophobia and racism Overwhelming desire for “normalcy” Smoldering resentment in Germany

grows

The Election of 1920

Possessed virtually no qualifications for president

A “return to normalcy” Biggest landslide to date Repudiated Wilson’s

idealism and progressive reform

Legacy of the Red Scare Blatant violation of constitutional rights Deportations of hundreds of innocent

people Fuel for the fires of nativism and

intolerance

Legacy of the Red Scare

Red-baiting continues to be an effective weapon against unions

A second government sanctioned Red Scare will reemerge in the 1950s as a powerful political force

“100% Americanism”