Lecture Notes: The End of World War I and the Treaty of Versailles

Armistice and the End of WWI

• Date: November 11, 1918
• Event: Signing of an armistice between Germany and the Allies
• Purpose: To end the fighting in WWI and initiate peace treaty negotiations

Woodrow Wilson's 14-Point Plan

• Objective: To "make the world safe for democracy"
• Point 1-5: Aim to eliminate war causes
  • End secret alliances
  • Guarantee freedom of the seas
  • Free trade among nations
  • Reduction of armed forces
• Point 6-13: Political border adjustments based on self-determination
  • Example: Breakup of Austria-Hungary into smaller nations
• Point 14: Creation of the League of Nations
  • Purpose: International cooperation to preemptively address disputes

Treaty of Versailles Negotiations

• Start Date: January 1919
• Major Diplomats Involved:
  • David Lloyd George (Britain)
  • George Clemenceau (France)
  • Vittorio Orlando (Italy)
• European Leaders' Goals:
  • More punitive treaty towards Germany
  • Full responsibility for the war on Germany
  • Demilitarization of Germany
  • Loss of German colonies
  • $33 billion in war reparations

Outcome of Wilson's Plan

• League of Nations: Included in the final treaty
• Treaty Ratification Issues in the U.S.:
  • Constitutional Rules:
    • President negotiates treaties
    • Senate must ratify treaties
  • Senate Opposition:
    • Concerns over U.S. sovereignty
    • Isolationist mood in Congress
    • Fear of committing forces overseas

Wilson's Efforts and Senate Rejection

• Nationwide Tour:
  • Attempt to gain public support
  • Wilson suffered a stroke during the tour
• Senate's Decision:
  • Rejected the Treaty of Versailles in two votes
• Aftermath:
  • U.S. negotiated a separate treaty with Germany
  • League of Nations formed without U.S. leadership
  • Limited influence without U.S.

Long-term Consequences

• Failure of the League of Nations
• World embroiled in another deadly conflict within 20 years

These notes summarize the key points from the lecture on the ending of WWI, the Treaty of Versailles, and the subsequent political implications for the U.S. and the League of Nations.