I.

Fourteen Points and Treaty of Versailles

Mr. Klein Spring 2013

A. Wilsons Fourteen Points

To End All Wars

Goal 1: End Causes of War

Terms should eliminate the root causes (MANIA) of WWI.

Goal 2: Ethnic Self-Determination

Ethnic Groups should be able to control own political futures.
Pan-Slavism (and A-H domination of Southern Slavs) had motivated Ferdinands assassination and alliances

National boundaries should be re-drawn allow ethnic self-government

Goal 3: League of Nations

International organization to ensure world peace.
Provides forum to resolve disputes without war

Member nations agree to protect each others independence and territorial integrity.
Article 10 of charter requires members to defend one anothers borders (Territorial Integrity) This is most controversial provision

Precursor to United Nations

So what do 14 Points Specifically Say?

Point 1: No Secret Pacts

Countries would not make secret treaties and alliances.

Point 2: Freedom of Seas

Ships can travel freely in times of war. Why important to Wilson?

Point 3: Free Trade

Free trade between nations:
Low (or no) tariffs Promotes economic growth Reduce trade conflicts.

Point 4: Reduce Military Arms

Countries will reduce their militaries and stockpiles of weapons

Militarism had been a cause of WW I.

Point 5: Respect for Colonies

Desires of colonial peoples would be considered in their governance.

Imperialism had been a cause of WW I.

Fourteen Points: 6-13

Restore land taken from countries by war to restore respect for international law. Borders redrawn using self-determination to reduce conflicts among ethnic groups. (nationalism)

Point 14: League of Nations

Resolve conflicts before war erupts.

B. The Treaty of Versailles

June 1919

Woodrow Wilson USA

The Big Four

David Lloyd-George Great Britain

Georges Clemenceau France

Vittorio Orlando Italy

NOT Present
GER (Weimer Republic) Russia (Bolsheviks Lenin)

The Big Four in Paris

Four Differing Views of What Treaty Should Include

Italy
Italy expects territory on Adriatic and in N. Africa Becomes clear Italy will NOT get these lands Orlando leaves Italy incurred MASSIVE debt in war got little of spoils
Orlando

France
Security: Disarm Germany Prevent any future attack

Revenge/Reparations:
GER must pay for all damage to France FR gets back FrancoPrussian War losses GER loses all colonies Make example of GER

Clemenceau

Great Britain
In Public: Punish GER War Guilt Clause Squeeze them until the pips squeak In Private:

David Lloyd-George

Wants GER to recover Relatively strong GER good for GB

Great Britain
Why a strong GER? Important trade partner Serve as a barrier to keep communism from spreading Why not say this publically? British people VERY thirsty for revenge
David Lloyd-George

Political suicide to say be lenient

United States
Implement 14 points Subject GER to JUST punishment (not too harsh) Avoid resentments League of Nations = #1 Priority

Wilson

So What Terms Make it into the Treaty?

Germanys Military Limited

Army limited to 100,000

No Tanks No submarines or large battleships

No Air Force

Rhineland De-Militarized

Treaty of Guarantee
FR believes GER will attack again unless FR takes control of all land West of Rhine:
GB and US make pledge to guarantee FR security from future GER attack FR then accepts German border that extends to Rhine Rhineland is part of GER (but no troops allowed there)

Rhineland De-Militarized

Germany Loses Other Territories

Central Europe Map Redrawn

1. Austria 2. Hungary 3. Czechoslovakia 4. Yugoslavia 5. Turkey

Squeeze Until the Pips Squeak

War Guilt Clause Included: GER accepts sole blame for war GER must pay $33 billion in reparations.
Last payment made in October 2010!

May seem unfair but GER forced FR to pay after Franco-Prussian War

League of Nations Chartered

Membership Excludes:
Russia Germany Remember that pesky Article 10!

Article 10: Collective Security

Collective security is a commitment by all League members to deal with a nation that threatens any other League nation.

SoLets Review
Point 1: Point 2: Point 3: Point 4: Point 5: Points 6-13: Point 14: GER not humiliated? NO! NO! NO! NO! (GER only) NO! Partly (YG, A-H separate, AL
back to FR, OE gone)

YES! NO!

ButTreaties Must be Ratified!

2/3 vote in Senate to ratify Wilson never consulted Senate!

Many Senators had RESERVATIONS

Opposition in US Senate
Reservationists:
League of Nations is biggest problem
Article 10!!

Fear will draw U.S. into wars without approval from Congress. Also opposed Treaty of Guarantee
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge

Taking It to the People

Wilson goes on tour to rally public support for LON. Collapses on 9/25/1919 Stroke makes him an invalid for rest of term

Treaty Rejected by Senate

Lodge offers amendments to treaty
Wilson opposes any changes Amended treaty fails to pass

Original treaty voted upon

Fails to pass

US never joins League of Nations

Negotiates separate treaty with Germany

Treaty of Guarantee rejected

GB also rejects (passage conditional on US)

What is Result of Peace Process?

Is France Happy?
Heavy penalties on Germany, BUT No security from German attack

Is Britain Happy?
German Navy limited and no freedom of seas, BUT Heavy Sanctions mean slow GER recovery

Is US happy?
Wilson traded most goals for LON Allowed humiliation of Germany Gained little other than self-determination

Italy VERY Unhappy

Italy feels betrayed that Allies broke promises Huge debts cant repay
Triggers massive economic depression

Lose many lives for little gain Orlando and his govt blamed clears way for new govt

Benito Mussolini - Fascists

Germany MOST Unhappy

Feels betrayed that 14 Points not followed

Considers treaty a diktat

Forced to accept or attack threatened

Resents War Guilt Clause and Reparations

Economy destroyed

Humiliation blamed on new Weimer Govt

Clears way for new Govt

Adolf Hitler - Nazis