A Flawed Peace

Introduction
World

War I was over. The killing had stopped. The terms of peace, however, still had to be worked out. On January 18, 1919, a conference to establish those terms began at the Palace of Versailles, outside Paris. Attending the talks, known as the Paris Peace Conference, were delegates representing 32 countries. For one year, this conference would be the scene of vigorous, often bitter debate. The Allied powers struggled to solve their conflicting aims in various peace treaties.

The Allies Meet and Debate

Key Leaders Come Together

This

group of leaders was known as the Big Four dominated the peace talks in Paris at Versailles.

United States
President

Wilson

Woodrow

France
Georges

Clemenceau

Great Britain
Prime

Minister, David Lloyd George

Italy
Vittorio

Orlando

Wilsons Plan for Peace

Wilson

proposes Fourteen Pointsan outline for lasting world peace. Calls for free trade and an end to alliances and military buildups Promotes self-determinationright of people to govern their own nation Envisions international peace-keeping body to settle world disputes

Fourteen Points
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

9.

End of secret treaties Freedom of the seas Free trade Arms reductions Adjustment of colonial claims Settlement of questions regarding Russian territory Restoration of Belgium Restoration of Frances territories including AlsaceLorraine Readjustment of Italys borders

10. 11.

12.

13. 14.

Peoples of Austria-Hungary given self-determination Serbia given access to the sea and can join with other Balkan states (Yugoslavia created). Turkish portion of Ottoman empire sovereign, but other portions given selfdetermination. Dardanelles open to as shipping passage to all nations. Independent Poland League of Nations

The Versailles Treaty

Britain

and France oppose Wilsons ideas and want to punish Germany. Allies and Germany sign an accordthe Treaty of Versaillesin June 1919.
Creates League of Nationsinternational organization to keep peace. Blames Germans for war, forces Germany to pay damages (reparations) to nations. League to rule German colonies until deemed ready for independence.

A Troubled Treaty

The Creation of New Nations

The Versailles Treaty, other peace accords change the look of Europe Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire all lose lands Former Ottoman lands in Southwest Asia turn into mandates New countries in southeastern Europe Russia gives up land.

Europe Pre-World War I

New European Countries Post World War I

Finland-land lost by Russia
Estonia-land lost by Russia Latvia-land lost by Russia
Lithuania-land lost by Russia

Poland-restored from land lost by

Germany and Russia

Austria Hungary Romania-gained land

Mandates in Africa and Middle East

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

French Mandate of Syria French Mandate of Lebanon British Mandate of Palestine British Mandate of Transjordan British Mandate of Iraq British Togoland French Togoland British Cameroon French Cameroon Ruanda-Urundi Tanganyika South-West Africa

A Peace Build on Quicksand

Treaty

of Versailles creates feelings of bitterness on both sides German people feel bitter and betrayed after taking blame for war America never ratifies Treaty of Versailles
Some

former colonies express anger over not winning independence Japan, Italy criticize agreement; gain less land than they want

Many Americans oppose League of Nations and involvement with Europe