‘Peace Without Victory’ Analyze Wilson’s statement regarding the end of the war.

Why does he call it ‘peace without victory’? What is he warning against? What Progressive ideals are present in his statement? Discuss with a partner.

They imply, first of all, that it must be a peace without victory.  …  Victory would mean peace forced upon the loser, a victor's terms imposed upon the vanquished.  It would be accepted in humiliation, under duress, at an intolerable sacrifice, and would leave a sting, a resentment, a bitter memory upon which terms of peace would rest, not permanently, but only as upon quicksand.  Only a peace between equals can last.  Only a peace the very principle of which is equality and a common participation in a common benefit.  The right state of mind, the right feeling between nations, is as necessary for a lasting peace as is the just settlement of vexed questions of territory or of racial and national allegiance.

Wilson’s 14 PointsProgressivism in Action

Fourteen Points In a speech to Congress before the war ended,

President Wilson outlined a vision of a “just and lasting peace.”

His plan was called the Fourteen Points, and among its ideas were Open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, the removal of

trade barriers, and the reduction of military arms A fair system to resolve disputes over colonies Self-determination, or the right of people to decide their

own political status and form their own nations Establishing a League of Nations, or an organization of

countries working together to settle disputes, protect democracy, and prevent future wars

Fourteen Points (cont’d) The Fourteen Points expressed a new

philosophy that applied progressivism to U.S. foreign policy.

The Fourteen Points declared that foreign policy should be based on morality, not just on what’s best for the nation.

Treaty of Versailles Terms of peace determined by “Big

Four” President Wilson of the United States Prime Minister Lloyd George of Great

Britain Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau of

France Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando of Italy

What did it do? (big picture) Establishes League of Nations Cripples Germany militarily,

economically, territorially

What did it do? (details) Established the League of Nations Germany had to accept the blame for starting the war (Clause 231).  This

was vital because it provided the justification for... Germany had to pay £6,600 million (called Reparations) for the damage

done during the war. 132 Billion German Marks -> $400 Billion in today’s money These payments were recently completed October 4, 2010

Germany was forbidden to have submarines or an air force.   She could have a navy of only six battleships, and an Army of just 100,000 men.   In addition, Germany was not allowed to place any troops in the Rhineland, the strip of land, 50 miles wide, next to France.

Germany lost territory (land) in Europe Germany’s colonies were given to Britain and France.

Also, Germany was forbidden to join the League of Nations, or unite with Austria.

League of Nations 42 members - by 1930’s 59 Defeated countries could not join e.g.

Germany Russia excluded because communist USA did not join - isolation from world

affairs A club for the victorious?

Powers of the League If a country ignored the ruling of the

League it could: Put pressure on Refuse to trade - sanctions Send in troops - member countries join

together

Strengths Many countries supported it in early

days - they wanted peace Had some early successes: Settled some land disputes in 1920’s helped refugees, dealt with spread of

disease, fought for better conditions for people

Weaknesses USA didn’t join No real power - relied on goodwill and

persuasion No permanent army Disarmament not realistic Structure a disaster - everyone had to

agree before any action taken

Question To what extent does the League of

Nations represent a shift in American foreign policy?