Wilson at Versailles

President Wilson and Colonel House studied the causes of the First World War in an effort to make WW I the “war to end all wars”

The Fourteen Points – delivered to Congress in Jan. of 1918 – represented an effort to address the causes of war

The Fourteen Points embraced open diplomacy, removal of trade barriers, self-determination (Poland, Czech., Finland), and collective security (League of Nations)

The plan hoped to bring immediate peace by offering “peace with honor”

“The Good Lord only needed 10 commandments, Wilson needs 14.”

- criticism from Triple Entente member

Hailed as a hero by the many Europeans, Wilson faced some major obstacles in implementing his 14 PointsRepublicans had won control of Congress in 1918 and many were opposed to his plans

Allies were determined to impose a harsh peace of Germany

Wilson was forced to accept compromises at VersaillesGermany accepts sole responsibility for war

Germany ordered to pay massive reparations despite economic deprivation

League of Nations is established with collective security concept to stop aggression

The Plan Unravels…

Treaty was criticized in Congress for Article X, which called for American troops to be placed under the command of League of Nations officers

Wilson pledge to make 1920 election a “solemn referendum” on his plan

In an attempt to win support from the country, Wilson embarked on a nationwide speaking tour. Suffered collapse and stroke

SupportersDemocrats loyal to Wilson wanted the treaty to be ratified in its original form without any amendments or reservations; some within this group were receptive to a small number of minor changes.

Irreconcilables. Isolationist senators, including Robert LaFollette, William E. Borah and Hiram Johnson, opposed the treaty and American entry into the League of Nations under any circumstances. They had counseled against entering the war in the first place and now opposed participation in European affairs.

ReservationistsThis group claimed to be in favor of the treaty, but only after including a series of reservations prior to ratification. Senator Lodge of Massachusetts was the leader of this faction and was personally dedicated to frustrating the aims of his rival, Wilson. Other senators in this group sincerely favored the treaty, but wanted some modification to protect vital American interests. The Reservationists were the largest of the three factions.

Senate rejected the Treaty. Unwilling to give up tradition of nonalignment and to commit the U.S. to collective international action

America was prepared for a “return to normalcy”

Exposed the heterogeneity of the American people and the divisions among them.

Government intervened in the economic and influenced people's lives to an extent never done previously.

U.S. is now the world's leading economic power and largest trading nation.

International system that came into being was unstable, fragmented, and lacked American cooperation

Ended Progressivism and brought mood of cynicism and discouragement to American intellectuals

Civil liberties restricted in attempt to achieve unity

Unit Free Response Essay:

Assess the relative influence of THREE of the following in the American decision to declare war on Germany in 1917

- German naval policy

- allied propaganda

- American economic interests

- Wilson’s idealism

- America’s claim to world power