WWI Peace Settlement
The War World War One began in August 1914 and ended in November of 1918 when Kaiser Wilhelm II gave up his throne and the new German republic agreed to an armistice (cease-fire). As a result of the four year war, millions of men had been killed, property and land had been destroyed, and there was social unrest across Europe. There had been no significant gain in territory by either side when the war finally ended.
The Effect of the war • The war had an enormous cultural effect on people were exposed to the horrors of modern war. • Young writers and artists showed their feelings of bitterness from the war in their work. They became known as the Lost Ernest Hemingway fought in and Generation. survived WWI. He spent much of the 20’s and 30’s in Europe and is considered to be a leader of the lost generation.
Peace Terms
In January of 1919, the victorious Allied leaders met in Paris to discuss the terms of the official treaty for ending the war. The war had been deemed “The War to end all Wars� and the initial hope was that the treaty to end the war would establish long lasting peace in Europe. They ended up falling far short of their goal.
Woodrow Wilson and the 14 Points Woodrow Wilson was the president who had led America into the war, and now represented America at the peace conference. He had a plan for peace known as “the 14 points” that he believed could prevent future wars. The first part of the 14 points laid out simple guidelines for peace such as: • No secret treaties • Smaller Military Forces • Freedom of the Seas for all nations • No economic barriers for trade
The 14 points continued Wilson’s plan also addressed the colonial possessions held by the world powers. Wilson believed these should be adjusted with fairness towards colonial people. He was a firm believer in self-determination, allowing people to decide how they should be ruled. Wilson’s final point called for an international organization to be created that would try to resolve conflicts peacefully.
Problems with the Peace Process Things did not go as smoothly as Wilson had hoped during the peace process and there were several problems. • Many groups formerly controlled by Austria or the Ottomans wanted to rule themselves, and many claimed the same land. • No defeated nation was invited to the peace settlement. Russia was also excluded. • The Allied nations felt it was necessary to punish Germany for starting the war.
The Treaty of Versailles After months of meeting the Allies revealed their terms of peace in a document known as the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty did not focus on maintaining peace as much as it did on punishing Germany. Tough restrictions on Germany included • War Guilt. Germany had to claim responsibility for the war and pay reparations to the other countries • Military Restrictions. Germany was banned from manufacturing war material such as tanks, planes, or submarines.
Germany was broke, but was still forced to pay the entire WWI war debt estimated at $37 billion
Territory Changes More terms of the peace settlement involved territory changes. • France regained Alsace and Lorraine • Germany ended up losing 13% of its land • Poland was created as an independent nation • Russia lost territory as the allies feared its new government • The Austria-Hungarian Empire was broken into separate countries of Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia.
Europe in 1919
Colonial Possessions • Germany’s colonies were given away to Britain France and Japan. These lands were ruled as mandates, controlled until they were ready to be independent. • The Ottoman Empire was replaced by the new independent country of Turkey. Its lands in the middle east were also broken up and distributed as mandates.
The Mandates of the Middle East created after WWI
The League of Nations While many of Wilson’s ideas were ignored at the Treaty of Versailles, his idea of an organization designed to resolve conflicts was included into the treaty. The organization created was titled the League of Nations. Even though this was Wilson’s idea, the United States eventually refused to join the organization and would reject the Treaty of Versailles.
Failure of the Peace Settlements The Treaty of Versailles did very little to keep the peace. The harsh treatment of Germany bred discontent among the German people. Other countries felt that they had been betrayed in the peace settlement as well. The league of Nations would reveal itself to be an ineffective organization. The discontent across the world would eventually lead to another world war.
Adolf Hitler served for German in WWI. His anger over the settlement of the war and Germany’s surrender would have enormous impacts.