Major Question, "What Events Shaped Peace Negotiations at the End of WWI?"

He wanted “Peace without victory.” He created a peace plan called the Fourteen Points (peace based on idealism, not greed and vengeance).

Openness, independence, and freedom. They condemned secret treaties (open diplomacy).

Points included: freedom of the seas, free trade, reduction of armaments, and a move to end colonialism. He also pushed for Self-Determination of peoples.

The ability for a group of people to choose their government (ethnic groups). New countries were created.

Wilson wanted a group to ensure peace between the countries of the world.

He did not invite Republicans to peace talks in France. He ignored powerful Republican leader Henry Cabot Lodge (mistrust). This would doom treaty passage.

The Allies met at the Palace of Versailles in France (Wilson went in person). It was decided that Germany would have to pay billions in reparations (make up for their damages).

European powers (France and Britain) wanted to punish Germany, unlike the U.S. The British wanted to protect colonies and France wanted land back (Alsace-Lorraine and other areas).

The Europeans agreed to create a League of Nations.

Self-Determination was not perfect and ethnic groups were placed in countries with other groups. The Ottoman Empire was carved up without attention to its many ethnic groups (do not cooperate).

Other areas were not allowed to participate in self-determination (Africa, Asia, and the Middle East).

Some people thought the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh (German War Guilt Clause). President Wilson (Democratic Party) faced a Republican controlled Senate and Foreign Relations Committee.

Groups formed to oppose the treaty. Irreconcilables did not like the League of Nations and its Article 10 (Mutual Defense Clause) This could bring the U.S. into European affairs.

The Reservationists, under Henry Cabot Lodge, wanted changes to the treaty. They wanted Article 10 removed (only Congress can declare war). Wilson would not compromise with the Senators.

Wilson attempted a direct appeal to the people. He traveled throughout the country and ended up suffering a horrible stroke.

The Senate voted and defeated it in the Fall of 1919 (with revisions). Democrats and Irreconciables voted against it (Wilson wanted no compromise).

The treaty came up for a vote again (no changes) and was defeated by Irreconcialables and Reservationists.

It came up for a vote a third time and was defeated again (modest changes) by Wilson Democrats and Irreconcilables.

Lack of compromise killed the treaty.