CH. 19, SECTION 4

WILSON FIGHTS FOR PEACE

MAIN IDEA

• As the war comes to an end, US President Woodrow Wilson proposes a plan for peace called the Fourteen Points.

• Many European leaders oppose the plan and the US Senate fails to ratify (accept) the peace treaty.

• Many issues were left unresolved by the Treaty of Versailles

INTRODUCTION: PEACE, DIPLOMACY AND REPARATIONS

• As you are watching the short video, answer the questions.

PEACE, DIPLOMACY AND REPARATIONS

WILSON’S PLAN FOR PEACE

• Called the Fourteen Points• Had four major goals:

1. Spreading democracy2. Open Markets3. International Organization dedicated to keeping peace4. Active global role for the United States

TASK:

• Create a concept map to understand Wilson’s goals and Fourteen Points • Connect each of the fourteen points to the goal

that you think the point is trying to fill. • Be able to explain why you connected the point

to the goal!

EXAMPLE:

Point III Removal of economic barriers

GOALS OF FOURTEEN POINTS

1. Spreading democracy2. Open Markets3. International Organization dedicated to keeping peace4. Active global role for the United States

1. SPREADING DEMOCRACY

OPEN MARKETS

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO KEEPING PEACE

ACTIVE ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES

WILSON’S FOURTEEN POINTS

• Wilson’s plan for peace• Divided into three parts• First 5 were issues that had to be addressed to prevent

another war• Next 8 dealt with boundary change• 14th point called for the development of the League of

Nations

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

• International peace keeping organization• Provide a forum to for nations to discuss & settle

problems without having to go to war

DEVELOPING A PEACE TREATY

• Big Four attended the meeting in Paris to discuss creating a peace treaty• United States• France• Britain• Italy

• Germany NOT there• Each had their own priorities

PROVISIONS OF THE TREATY

• Established 9 new nations• Germany had to give up its colonies• Germany could not have an army• Germany needed to return Alsace Lorraine

to France• Germany had to pay reparations (war

damages)• War Guilt Clause - Germany had to take

sole responsibility for starting the war

WEAKNESS OF TREATY

• Treaty humiliated Germany• Didn’t recognize role of other countries in igniting

the war• Germany could not pay the reparations• Russia lost more territory than Germany

OPPOSITION TO THE TREATY

• Many American’s opposed the treaty because they believed it was too harsh

CONTROVERSY OVER THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

• Supporters• The League of Nations could lead to peace without war

• Opposition • The League of Nations would get the US involved in

European problems

• THE US SENATE OPPOSED THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS, THE US NEVER JOINED

LEGACY OF THE WAR

• Desire to return to “Normalcy”• Strengthened US military & industrial power• Made social changes for African Americans & women• Propaganda provoked fears • Destroyed Europe