The League of Nations

1. The League of Nations
MAST High School
US History – Period 4
Ms. Richardson

2. The End of World War I
• After defeating Germany, the European Allies wanted to
severely punish Germany - but President Wilson didn’t
agree with this.
• Wilson’s 14 Points were a plan for how to keep peace
after the war - one idea was the League of Nations.
• European nations agreed with the idea of a League of
Nations - it became part of the Treaty of Versailles.
• But the US Senate refused to approve the treaty -
because it didn’t agree that the US should be in a
League of Nations.

3. President Woodrow
Wilson’s 14 Points
• A plan for how to keep peace
after WWI.
- one idea was the League of
Nations.
- 1919

4. Summary of Wilson’s Points 1, 5, 14
• 1. Make no secret diplomatic agreements.
• 5. Adjust colonial claims to land, giving
more weight to the views of colonized
peoples.
• 14. Establish an association of nations to
provide collective security and to ensure
peace.

5. GOALS/AIMS
• Encourage co-operation (between all
nations)
• Disarmament (cut down on armies &
weapons)
• Stop aggression
• Improve social conditions (poverty, disease)

6. The Idea
• Wilson’s idea was to try to make sure that
countries could never start a World War again.
• He wanted to make sure countries talked about
their problems instead of fighting.
• It would be an organization which would try to
promote peace in the world.
• It was hoped that it would stop countries from
making secret treaties or agreements.

7. Weaknesses of League
• 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.
• Germany and Russia were not included