The Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations

National Debate 1919-1920

ChronologyJan. 8, 1918-Wilson outlines peace plan known as the 14 Points (“World fit and safe to live in”)

Nov. 11, 1918-Armistice—Germany hopes to get a peace based on Wilson’s 14 Points

Jan. 18, 1919-Peace Conference opens in Paris

Feb. 14, 1919-Wilson submits Draft Covenant for a League of Nations

June 28, 1919-Germany signs Treaty of Versailles

Nov 19, 1919-U.S. Senate refuses to ratify Treaty

The Big Four

Orlando, Clemenceau, George, Wilson

European War Costs• Total killed in WWI: 10-11 million (Germany—2M)• 15% of German male pop. lost, France—10%, Brit—5%

• Total casualties in WWI: 38 million • 24 Million orphans, widows, and refugees• Total amount spent directly on the war: 180,000,000,000

Reparations—Pay up!

Provisions of the Treaty

• Article 231—War Guilt Clause

• Reparations 5 Billion in Gold Marks now, 32

billion over 5 years

• Germany lost 1/8 of its land

• Germany lost all of its colonies

• Germany lost all of its overseas financial assets

• German military all but eliminated by law

•

“This is not a peace; it is an armistice for 20 years.”

French ex-WWI General and Politician Marshal Foch

Wilson's fight for the League of Nations Epitomizes his character - idealistic, yet extremely stubborn.

Angered Republicans by not taking any Republican Senators to Paris

Henry Cabot Lodge

Chairman—Senate Foreign Relations Committee

“The United States assumes no obligation to preserve the territorial integrity or political independence of any other country or to interfere in controversies between nations - whether members of the league or not - under the provisions in Article 10, or to employ the military or naval forces of the United States under any article of the treaty for any purpose, unless in any particular case the Congress, which, under the Constitution, has the sole power to declare war or authorize the employment of the military or naval forces of the United States, shall by act or joint resolution so provide.”

Senator Henry Cabot Lodge's reservation to Article X.

The Wilson Trip

The Taft Compromise

RESULTS:Neither Wilson, nor Senator Henry Cabot Lodge would relent or compromise.

The Senate voted down the Treaty of Versailles.

United States never joined the League that Wilson dreamed about.

Despite being the strongest nation in the world, the United States retreats into Isolationism.

The League of Nations never has true strength.