Chapter 11 Section 5

Establishing Peace

Stats of WWI• Death toll

– Allies 5 million+– Central Powers 3.4 million– US116,000– French troops 1.24 million– French civilians 40,000– Houses and factories destroyed 773,000

• Cost of war– Allies $145 Billion– Central Powers $63 Billion– $30 Billion of property destroyed– $1 Billion on aid efforts

Wilson’s 14 Points – President Wilson’s plan for postwar Europe. This was written in a way as to

avoid future wars.

• Points 1-5, 14 were general points to all nations

• Points 6-13 referred to specific nations

1. No secret treaties2. Freedom of the seas for

all nations3. Removal of all economic

barriers and tariffs4. Reduction of arms5. Fair adjustment of

territorial claims14. Establishment of a

“general association of nations” – League of Nations

League of Nations – a congress of nations designed to settle international disputes and protect democracy

Paris Peace Conference• 12/13/1918• Big Four – Wilson (US), George (Britain), Clemenceau

(France), Orlando (Italy)• Goal of European nations was to ensure Germany would

never again be a world power• US – get the 14 Points accepted• France – wanted to control Germany and cripple them

economically, militarily, and politically• Britain – keep British Empire intact• Italy – receive territory it was promised• Germany was forced to pay reparations – payments for

damages/expenses brought on by war– $33 Billion

Treat of Versailles• Final peace settlement of the war• New nations formed, old ones restored• Self-determination – right to decide one’s political status• Central Powers were forced to surrender colonies to Allies

League of Nations• Representatives from democratic nations

– Council, assembly permanent admin staff• Goal is to settle international disputes and

reduce arms• 5 permanent members – Britain, France,

Italy, Japan, US– All independent nations allowed to join– Former Central Power had to wait

Peace Without a Treaty

• Congress was not enthusiastic about Treaty of Versailles or League of Nations

• Congress wanted a compromise with Wilson over the US involvement– Mainly military involvement

• Wilson’s refusal to compromise cost him US membership in the League of Nations