Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles

&&

Interwar PeriodInterwar Period

22

Thomas Woodrow WilsonThomas Woodrow WilsonFourteen PointsFourteen Points

The idealism expressed in them was widely The idealism expressed in them was widely acclaimedacclaimed

Gave Wilson a position of moral leadership Gave Wilson a position of moral leadership among the Allied leadersamong the Allied leaders

In order to secure support of his 14th, and most In order to secure support of his 14th, and most important, point, which called for the creating of important, point, which called for the creating of an "association of nations," Wilson was an "association of nations," Wilson was compelled to abandon his insistence upon the compelled to abandon his insistence upon the acceptance of his full programacceptance of his full program

33

44

Thomas Woodrow WilsonThomas Woodrow WilsonFourteen PointsFourteen Points

14 Points were for political and economic 14 Points were for political and economic reconstructionreconstruction

1.1. abolition of secret diplomacy by open convenantsabolition of secret diplomacy by open convenants2.2. freedom of the seas in peace and warfreedom of the seas in peace and war3.3. removal of international trade barriers wherever removal of international trade barriers wherever

possible and establishment of an equality of trade possible and establishment of an equality of trade conditionsconditions

4.4. reduction of armamentsreduction of armaments5.5. adjustment of colonial disputes consistent with adjustment of colonial disputes consistent with

the interests of both the controlling government the interests of both the controlling government and the colonial populationand the colonial population

6.6. evacuation of Russian territory, with self-evacuation of Russian territory, with self-determinationdetermination

55

7. evacuation and restoration of Belgium7. evacuation and restoration of Belgium8. evacuation and restoration of French 8. evacuation and restoration of French

territory, including Alsace-Lorraineterritory, including Alsace-Lorraine9. readjustment of Italian frontiers along 9. readjustment of Italian frontiers along

clearly recognizable lines of nationalityclearly recognizable lines of nationality10. autonomy for the peoples of Austria-10. autonomy for the peoples of Austria-

HungaryHungary11. 11. 12. 12. 13. 13. 14. 14.

66

Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles Peace treaty signed (June 28, 1918) at the end Peace treaty signed (June 28, 1918) at the end

of World War I between Germany and the Alliesof World War I between Germany and the Allies Paris Peace Conference was the making of the Paris Peace Conference was the making of the

Treaty of Versailles, which opened on Jan. 18, Treaty of Versailles, which opened on Jan. 18, 19191919

Represented were 27 countries, including the U. Represented were 27 countries, including the U. S., Great Britain, France, Italy, and JapanS., Great Britain, France, Italy, and Japan

Neither the German Republic, which had Neither the German Republic, which had replaced the imperial German government at replaced the imperial German government at the end of the war, nor Soviet Russia was the end of the war, nor Soviet Russia was invited to attend the conferenceinvited to attend the conference

Germany signed only under duressGermany signed only under duress The U.S. signed but failed to ratify the treaty, The U.S. signed but failed to ratify the treaty,

negotiating instead the separate Treaty of negotiating instead the separate Treaty of Berlin with Germany (signed on Aug. 25, 1921)Berlin with Germany (signed on Aug. 25, 1921)

77

88

Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles Germany also lost its entire colonial Germany also lost its entire colonial

empireempire Germany lost some 71,000 sq km or 13 Germany lost some 71,000 sq km or 13

percent of its European domainpercent of its European domain Alsace-Lorraine was returned to FranceAlsace-Lorraine was returned to France Saar Basin was placed under a League of Saar Basin was placed under a League of

Nations commission for 15 yearsNations commission for 15 years recognized Danzig as a free city recognized Danzig as a free city

administered under the League of Nations administered under the League of Nations but subject to Polish jurisdiction in regard but subject to Polish jurisdiction in regard to customs and foreign relationsto customs and foreign relations

99

1010

Germany was required to abolish Germany was required to abolish compulsory military servicecompulsory military service

to reduce its army to 100,000to reduce its army to 100,000 to demilitarize all the territory on the left to demilitarize all the territory on the left

bank of the Rhine River bank of the Rhine River to stop all importation, exportation, and to stop all importation, exportation, and

nearly all production nearly all production of war materialof war material to limit its navy to 24 ships, with to limit its navy to 24 ships, with no no

submarinessubmarines, the naval personnel , the naval personnel notnot to to exceed 15,000exceed 15,000

to abandon all military and naval to abandon all military and naval aviation by Oct. 1, 1919aviation by Oct. 1, 1919

1111

Germany was required to make extensive Germany was required to make extensive financial reparationfinancial reparation

Difficulty arose in collecting payment which was Difficulty arose in collecting payment which was made in the form of made in the form of – Money, Ships, trains, livestock, and natural Money, Ships, trains, livestock, and natural

resourcesresources War-guilt clause stating that Germany accepted War-guilt clause stating that Germany accepted

sole responsibility for causing the warsole responsibility for causing the war This aroused intense nationalist bitterness in This aroused intense nationalist bitterness in

GermanyGermany The treaty also required provisional payments The treaty also required provisional payments

in kind and cash of 20 billion gold marks ($5 in kind and cash of 20 billion gold marks ($5 billion)billion)

The Reparations Commission subsequently The Reparations Commission subsequently made a total assessment of 132 billion gold made a total assessment of 132 billion gold marks ($33 billion), which the Germans marks ($33 billion), which the Germans accepted only under duressaccepted only under duress

1212

1313

The Versailles Treaty The Versailles Treaty NegativesNegatives / / PositivesPositives

A dictated peace (diktat).A dictated peace (diktat). Reparations were Reparations were

exorbitant ($33 B).exorbitant ($33 B). Artificial boundaries Artificial boundaries

separating German people.separating German people. Polish corridor.Polish corridor. Took away Took away

colonies/resourcescolonies/resources Some nationalities became Some nationalities became

forcefully separatedforcefully separated

Germany was able to pay the Germany was able to pay the amount asked: needed amount asked: needed access to foreign markets.access to foreign markets.

Created new states that did Created new states that did reflect national autonomy.reflect national autonomy.

Rebirth of Poland.Rebirth of Poland. International body: The International body: The

League of NationsLeague of Nations Captive peoples were freed. Captive peoples were freed.

No other treaty ever No other treaty ever released so many subject released so many subject races from domination of races from domination of oppressive empiresoppressive empires

Major weapons were Major weapons were eliminated in defeated eliminated in defeated nationsnations

1414

Estimated Costs of the Estimated Costs of the First World War (in US Dollars)First World War (in US Dollars)Total for the Allied NationsTotal for the Allied Nations $125 690 500 000$125 690 500 000

Total for the Central PowersTotal for the Central Powers $60 644 000 000$60 644 000 000

Grand TotalGrand Total $186 300 500 000$186 300 500 000

This total equals to costs approximately This total equals to costs approximately $125 000 000$125 000 000 for for each dayeach day of the war and of the war and only includes the direct costs of conducting only includes the direct costs of conducting

the war.the war.

1515

Germany was required by the Treaty of Germany was required by the Treaty of Versailles to pay reparations due it’s “moral Versailles to pay reparations due it’s “moral guilt” in initiating the First World War. The guilt” in initiating the First World War. The commission established by the terms of the commission established by the terms of the treaty set the total payment of reparations treaty set the total payment of reparations at:at:

$33 000 000 000 (US)$33 000 000 000 (US) The commission also determined that this The commission also determined that this

amount of money was to be divided among amount of money was to be divided among the victorious Allied nations as follows:the victorious Allied nations as follows:

France: 52%France: 52% Belgium: 8%Belgium: 8% British Empire: 22%British Empire: 22% Other Nations: 8%Other Nations: 8% Italy: 10%Italy: 10%

1616

League Of NationsLeague Of Nations

International alliance for the preservation International alliance for the preservation of peace, with headquarters at Genevaof peace, with headquarters at Geneva

League existed from 1920 to 1946League existed from 1920 to 1946 First meeting was held in Geneva, on Nov. First meeting was held in Geneva, on Nov.

15, 1920, with 42 nations represented15, 1920, with 42 nations represented Last meeting was held on April 8, 1946Last meeting was held on April 8, 1946 During the last meeting, the league was During the last meeting, the league was

superseded by the UNsuperseded by the UN

1717

During the league's 26 years, a total of During the league's 26 years, a total of 63 nations belonged at one time or 63 nations belonged at one time or anotheranother

President Woodrow Wilson presented a President Woodrow Wilson presented a plan for a general association of nationsplan for a general association of nations

The plan formed the basis of the The plan formed the basis of the Covenant of the League of Nations, the Covenant of the League of Nations, the 26 articles that served as operating 26 articles that served as operating rules for the leaguerules for the league

The covenant was formulated as part of The covenant was formulated as part of the Treaty of Versaillesthe Treaty of Versailles

1818

Although President Wilson was a member Although President Wilson was a member of the committee that drafted the covenantof the committee that drafted the covenant

U.S. Senate never ratified the covenant U.S. Senate never ratified the covenant because of Article X: all members preserve because of Article X: all members preserve the territorial independence of all other the territorial independence of all other members, members, even to joint action against even to joint action against aggressionaggression

During the next two decades, American During the next two decades, American diplomats encouraged the league's diplomats encouraged the league's activities and attended its meetings activities and attended its meetings unofficially, but the U.S. never became a unofficially, but the U.S. never became a membermember

The efficacy of the league was considerably The efficacy of the league was considerably lessened without USA as a memberlessened without USA as a member

1919The first meeting of the Assembly in 1920The first meeting of the Assembly in 1920

2020

2121

One important activity of the league was One important activity of the league was supervision of the former Germany and supervision of the former Germany and Turkey colonies/territoriesTurkey colonies/territories

Territories were awarded to league members Territories were awarded to league members in the form of mandatesin the form of mandates

Mandated territories were given different Mandated territories were given different degrees of independence, in accordance degrees of independence, in accordance with their stage of development, their with their stage of development, their geographic situation, and their economic geographic situation, and their economic statusstatus

A new world concept had prompted the A new world concept had prompted the league's inception, that of collective security league's inception, that of collective security against the "criminal" threat of waragainst the "criminal" threat of war

2222

Unfortunately for the fate of the world, the Unfortunately for the fate of the world, the league rarely implemented its available league rarely implemented its available resources to achieve this goalresources to achieve this goal

League may be credited with certain League may be credited with certain social achievements such as curbing social achievements such as curbing international traffic in narcotics and international traffic in narcotics and prostitution, aiding refugees of World War prostitution, aiding refugees of World War I, and surveying and improving world I, and surveying and improving world health and labor conditionshealth and labor conditions

In the area of preserving peace, the In the area of preserving peace, the league had some minor successes, league had some minor successes, including settlement of disputes between including settlement of disputes between Finland and Sweden over the Aland Finland and Sweden over the Aland Islands in 1921 and between Greece and Islands in 1921 and between Greece and Bulgaria over their mutual border in 1925Bulgaria over their mutual border in 1925

2323

2424

Although Germany joined the league in Although Germany joined the league in 1926, the National Socialist government 1926, the National Socialist government (Nazi Regime) withdrew in 1933(Nazi Regime) withdrew in 1933

Japan also withdrew in 1933, after Japan also withdrew in 1933, after Japanese attacks on China were Japanese attacks on China were condemned by the leaguecondemned by the league

The league failed to end the war The league failed to end the war between Bolivia and Paraguay over the between Bolivia and Paraguay over the Gran Chaco between 1932 and 1935Gran Chaco between 1932 and 1935

The league failed to stop The league failed to stop the Italian conquest of the Italian conquest of Ethiopia begun in 1935Ethiopia begun in 1935

In 1935, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia condemns the Italian invasion of Abyssinia in his address to the League.

2525

Finally, the league was powerless to prevent Finally, the league was powerless to prevent the events in Europe that led to World War IIthe events in Europe that led to World War II

The USSR, a member since 1934, was The USSR, a member since 1934, was expelled following the Soviet attack on expelled following the Soviet attack on Finland in 1939Finland in 1939

In 1940 the secretariat in Geneva was In 1940 the secretariat in Geneva was reduced to a skeleton staff, and several small reduced to a skeleton staff, and several small service units were moved to Canada and the service units were moved to Canada and the U.S. U.S.

In 1946 the league voted to effect its own In 1946 the league voted to effect its own dissolution, whereupon much of its property dissolution, whereupon much of its property and organization were transferred to the UN. and organization were transferred to the UN.

2626

Never truly effective as a Never truly effective as a peacekeeping organizationpeacekeeping organization

Lasting importance of the League of Lasting importance of the League of Nations it provided the groundwork Nations it provided the groundwork for the UNfor the UN

The United Nations formed after The United Nations formed after World War II, not only profited by the World War II, not only profited by the mistakes of the League of Nations but mistakes of the League of Nations but borrowed much of the organizational borrowed much of the organizational machinery of the leaguemachinery of the league

2727

Besides Manchuria &Besides Manchuria & Abyssinia, Abyssinia,

Other LOther L of Nof N ActionsActionsDate Countries Detail Result Success 1920 Finland & Sweden Aaland

Island Finland gets island, local gov’t

Yes

1920-21 Poland & Germany Silesia Pleb. Silesia was divided

Ques.

1923 Italy & Greece Corfu Greece paid compensation to Italy

Yes

1924-25 Turkey & Iraq Mosul Stayed in Br. Mandate of Iraq

Ques.

1925 Greece & Bulgaria Border dispute

L of N condemned Greece

Yes

2828

L of N Compared/Contrasted to L of N Compared/Contrasted to UNUN

Contained chartersContained charters Collective ActionCollective Action Designed to promote Designed to promote

peacepeace AssembliesAssemblies CouncilCouncil SecretariatSecretariat Mandate commission Mandate commission

and Trusteeship and Trusteeship commissioncommission

No human rights in No human rights in L of NL of N

League’s Council League’s Council members had no members had no veto power, but veto power, but unanimity was unanimity was needed.needed.

No commission to No commission to supervise a free zone supervise a free zone

in UNin UN

2929

International International Courts of Justice Courts of Justice are sameare same

US a member of US a member of UNUN

UN is more int’lUN is more int’l Headquarters Headquarters

based in New York, based in New York, L of N was in L of N was in Geneva.Geneva.