2. On November 11, 1918, fighting finally ended.
Officially, though, the war could restart until a peace treaty
was signed.
16 million people died and 20 million were wounded. Of those
16 million deaths, 7 million were civilians.
No one wanted the war to restart, so global leaders met in
France at Versailles to discuss peace. They drafted the Treaty
of Versailles, which ended the war.
November 11, 1918
3. Remember President Wilson,
America’s college professor,
who became president?
Wilson went to the
conference with “14 Points”
which he said would correct
the problems that caused the
war.
His plans were to eliminate
the M.A.I.N. causes of the
war.
Wilson Returns!
4. No military build-ups
No secret alliances
The right to self-determination
(ability to choose leadership as
you see fit)
The creation of a League of
Nations, an international
organization that would resolve
conflicts and avoid future wars.
What group do we have today
based on this idea?
The 14 Points
5. The other allies though wanted Germany to PAY!!!
And while Wilson wanted to build a lasting peace, the
other allied leaders wanted to WEAKEN Germany.
And they wanted to INCREASE their standing in the
world (MAKE THEIR EMPIRE BIGGER!)
The Other Side?
6. Not surprisingly, the rest of the
allied leaders chose not to listen to
the American president.
Remember, we were only in the
war for the last year.
The only major issue they agreed
with him on was the creation of
the League of Nations.
In an odd turn of events, America
did NOT join the League of
Nations, which our president came
up with.
Which Side Won Out?
7. The Treaty (1919) was designed to punish Germany:
“War Guilt Clause” – Germany was blamed for the war
and had to pay reparations (pay the winners)
Limited Germany’s ability to have a large army and no
subs or air force
Demilitarization of the Rhineland (a part of Europe
along the border of Germany, Belgium, and France)
And a loss of their empire (Alsace- Lorraine and all
oversee lands)
The Treaty of Versailles
8. Germany was not happy with this
situation. But the bigger problem
was that it was not able to pay the
debt, leading to years of financial
turmoil.
Because Russia had already signed
an agreement with Germany, was
not allowed any say in the peace
treaty, making them unhappy.
Other countries also were kicked
out of negotiation, making them
have little desire to follow or
enforce its rulings.
Other Nations’ Responses
