“I can predict with absolute certainty that within another generation there will

be another world war if the nations of the world do not concert the method

by which to prevent it."

Woodrow Wilson, 1919

Highlights of the

Treaty of Versailles

•Germany had to return Alsace Lorraine to France—Germany had taken it during the Franco Prussian War

•France gained control of Saar region—heavy with coal mines

•Germany gave up all of its overseas possessions

German DemilitarizationGerman Demilitarization

German territory on both sides of the German territory on both sides of the Rhine river was to remain free of Rhine river was to remain free of military personnel and no fortifications.military personnel and no fortifications.

Military was limited to 100,000 men—Military was limited to 100,000 men—only volunteers.only volunteers.

No heavy artillery, planes, tanks, or No heavy artillery, planes, tanks, or submarines.submarines.

Article 231-German War Guilt

German War Guilt Clause—the Versailles Treaty blamed the war on “the aggression of Germany and her allies.”

To punish Germany—the treaty made Germany pay reparations

Reparations are war debts to other nations.

Germany had to make up for the loss of property, factories, war ships, and other things destroyed in war.

Total Cost—33 billion dollars

German ReparationsGerman Reparations

New Nations are Created

Nationalities in Austria Hungary were given their own nations:

-Czechs and Slovaks formCzechoslovakia.

-Croats and Serbs form Yugoslavia

-Hungary gains independence

-Poland becomes independent nation

-Hungary becomes independent

-Italy and Romania gain land.

-Ottoman Empire only controls area of Turkey.

New Nations are Created

League of Nations

-Created to help settle disputes between nations.

-60 nations joined

-The goal was to promote international cooperation and maintain peace by settling disputes and reducing armaments

-The League’s ultimate goal was to include every independent nation.

-Nations promised to not go to war instead to submit any dispute to the world court and the League.

League of Nations

Why did the US Reject the Why did the US Reject the Treaty of Versailles?Treaty of Versailles?

Critics of the Treaty believed that the Critics of the Treaty believed that the League would drag the US into future League would drag the US into future European wars Americans were “war European wars Americans were “war weary” and wanted to return to weary” and wanted to return to isolationism isolationism

Wilson suffered a stroke and was unable Wilson suffered a stroke and was unable to sell the treaty to the people to sell the treaty to the people

The US refused to join the League of The US refused to join the League of Nations, making the League a “paper Nations, making the League a “paper tiger” or weak on the world stage. tiger” or weak on the world stage.

•Nationalistic pride•Competition for colonies•Military buildup•Tangled web of alliances•Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Causes of WWI

Effects of WWI

•Destruction in Europe•Boom in American economy•Suppression of dissent in the U.S.•Allied victory•Defeated empires lose their colonies•The U.S. emerges from the war as a world leader and an economic giant