The document discusses the costs and consequences of World War I. It describes the immense human costs of the war in lives lost and refugees created. It also discusses the financial toll of reconstruction and reparations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. Politically, empires collapsed and new nationalist movements emerged. The document outlines Wilson's Fourteen Points and goal of establishing the League of Nations. However, the Treaty of Versailles was opposed by many as too harsh on Germany, sowing seeds for future conflict. Key weaknesses included humiliating Germany and excluding Russia from the peace negotiations.
2. Today We Have
The Treaty of Versailles
Wilson’s Attempts to Create the League of
Nations
Consequences of Wilson’s Efforts
3. Costs of War
Wilson was certain that he could solve the
problems of Europe. “Tell me what is right
and I’ll fight for it.”
Sadly it would not be that easy, Europe was a
shattered continent.
Its problems would not be solved at the Paris
Peace Conference or for many years
afterward
4. Costs of War
Financial Toll
From France to Russia homes, churches,
factories and roads had been destroyed
With the war over people had come back and
started to rebuild but the cost of
reconstruction hit them hard
People everywhere feel bitter about the war
Allies blamed the losers and insisted they pay
reparations (war damages)
5. Costs of War
Political Turmoil
Governments had collapsed in Russia,
Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman
Empire
Political radicals dreamed of a new social
order
Conservatives warned against communism
Colonial troops realized Europe was not as
strong as it looked and returned home in
hopes of independence
6. Cost of War
Human Costs
WWI lasted four years and involved more
than 30 nations
Deaths numbered at 26 million
Half of them were civilians who died from
disease and starvation
20 million people wounded
10 million people became refugees
Economic Cost - $350 billion
7. End of WWI
Collapse of Germany
November 13 1918 German sailors refused to
set out to sea because they believed that there
was no use in fighting anymore
This sentiment spread across Germany and
soon and groups of soldiers across Germany
started revolutions
German war machine and economy could no
longer support a war
Germany agrees to a cease-fire (Allies see it as
a surrender)
8. Rejoicing the End of the War
The trenches erupted, men in uniforms of all colors
poured out of the trenches. They threw their helmets
in the air, discarded their guns and waved their
hands.
The different groups of soldiers were hesitant at first
but soon they began approaching each other, dancing
and jumping
Americans were passing out cigarettes and chocolate.
After four years of slaughter and hatred they were not
only hugging each other but kissing each other on
both cheeks
9. Paris Peace Conference
Victorious Allies met at the Paris Peace
Conference
Discuss the fate of Europe
Central Powers were not allowed to take part
10. At Versailles…
Wilson tried to persuade the Allies to
construct a just and lasting peace agreement
He wanted to achieve this goal by
establishing the League of Nations
Members would be bound to protect any
nation that was attacked by another
Wilson did not anticipate rejection after the
warm “hero’s” welcome that he received
11. Fourteen Points
Wilson presented his plan for world peace
which was outlined in his Fourteen Points
Speech
Points were divided into three groups, with
the first five points being the reasons that
caused the war
12. First Five Points
Nations should only engage in open agreements.
No secret treaties
Freedom of seas should exist for all
Tariffs and economic barriers to trade should be
eliminated in order to foster free trade
Army’s should be reduced to the lowest point
consistent with domestic safety so that militaristic
impulses would lesson
Colonial policies should consider the interests of
colonial people as well as the interests of the
imperialist powers
13. Next Eight Points
Dealt with specific boundary changes
National groups who claimed distinct ethnic
identities were to decide for themselves what
nations they would belong to
14. Fourteenth Point
Creation of an international organization
called the League of Nations
Forum for nations to discuss and settle their
grievances without having to go to war
Allies reject Wilson’s plan
Italy, France and England did not have any
sympathy for the Germans
British prime minister had just won re-election
with the slogan, “Make Germany pay!”
Wilson gave up on thirteen points in return for
the League of Nations being accepted
15. Treaty of Versailles
Participants
Big Four (Wilson (US), Clemenceau (France),
Lloyd George (England), Orlando (Italy))
Leaders of defeated nations
Treaty of Versailles…
Established nine new nations
Shifted boundaries of nations
Carved four areas out of the Ottoman Empire
(Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Jordan)
Gave these areas to GB and France
16. Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles…
Demilitarized Germany
Required Germany to pay $33 billion in
damages to the Allies (2.7 trillion today)
War Guilt Clause
Germany alone was responsible for the war
What were the points
laid out by the
Treaty of Versailles?
17. Weaknesses of the Treaty
Humiliation of Germany
The negative treatment towards Germany did
not allow this to be a long lasting peace
agreement. This weakness would provide the
seeds for WWII
Exclusion of Russia from Peace Treaty
Russia had been on the side of the Allies yet
they were not included in the peace treaty
even though they suffered more casualties
than any other nation.
18. Weaknesses of the Treaty
Debate over Colonial Territories
Germany was stripped of its colonial
possessions which might have helped it pay
its reparations to the Allies
19. Opposition to the Treaty
When Wilson returned to the US many
thought the treaty was too harsh
Economic consequences alone will pull down
all of Europe and injure the US.
Treaty was a sellout to imperialism because it
just exchanged the hands of power
Biggest debate was over the League of
Nations
20. Debate Over League of Nations
League would threaten US policy of staying
clear of European entanglements
Congress did not support the idea either
Wilson decided to appeal to the public
Went on an 8000 mile tour, delivered 35 speeches
in 22 days explaining why the US should join the
League
He collapsed during a speech and was rushed
back to the White House where he suffered a
stroke
Senate did not ratify the treaty
What were the
weaknesses of the
Treaty of Versailles
and why were so
many opposed to it?
21. Legacy of War
Because the Germans had censored
newspapers during the war most Germanss
were unaware that the Allies had been pushing
their soldiers back and that even the German
Generals were demanding an end to the war
Postwar economic conditions were overall bad
in Europe but terrible in Germany
Many Germans looked to someone to blame.
22. Legacy of War
Adolf Hitler blamed the Jews and socialists
1933 Hitler wins control of the government
Most Americans did not want to be bothered
by the future of Europe
War had strengthened their desire to stay out
of European affairs