Paris Peace Conference

1. Paris Peace Conference The Conclusion to One war and the Introduction to another

2. Review • World War I ends when Germany signs an Armistice in late 1918 • The Paris Peace Conference is convened in 1919 to iron out the details for a formal treaty.

3. Armistice vs. peace treaty • Armistice: An agreement to stop fighting. • Peace Treaty: An agreement to formally end a war.

4. Overview • The Fourteen Points • Paris Peace Conference • Finding Peace After the War • The aims of the Big Four • The Treaty of Versailles with Germany • Established the League of Nations • The Other Treaties

5. The Fourteen points

6. Wilson’s Fourteen Points • A list of ideas designed to prevent future war. • German’s signed the armistice under the terms set by the Fourteen Points.

7. Fourteen points Cont’d

8. Timeline

9. The Paris Peace Conference

10. The Paris Peace Conference • A meeting between the allies to set the terms of the peace treaty. • Not invited: Russia and Central Powers

11. The Big Four

12. Activity • You’ll be placed into groups of 5 • Each person in the group pick a country from the following: • France • Britain • USA • Germany • Italy • Await Instructions

13. Aims of the Big Four

14. The Cycle of War

15. German Propaganda • Example of Nationalism: • Example of Othering:

16. French Propaganda • Example of Nationalism: • Example of Othering:

17. British Propaganda • Example of Nationalism: • Example of Othering:

18. American Propaganda • Example of Nationalism: • Example of Othering:

19. Why would propaganda, nationalism, and othering make diplomacy difficult?

20. Why would propaganda, nationalism, and othering make diplomacy difficult? • Nationalism: Countries only cared about their own goals, not those of other countries. Propaganda showed their country as being superior or unique, and they could care less about what was “right” or “just” – as long as they got more out of the deal. • Ex: Britain refusing Freedom to the Seas since it conflicted with their naval power. • Ex: America refusing the League of Nations since it conflicted with their goals of isolationism. • Othering: Countries were too angry at their enemies to bother attempting diplomacy. Propaganda often depicted them as being evil. • Ex: France’s determination to weaken Germany.

21. Outcomes of the Paris Peace Conference • The Treaty of Versailles with Germany • Four Other Treaties with Other Powers

22. The Treaty of Versailles

23. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp1cx5Q-imc

24. Quiz • Describe the changes in literature and art that occurred after World War I. Who was “the Lost Generation”?

25. Terms of the Treaty of Versailles • Article 231: “The War Guilt Clause” • Germany forced to admit blame for the war. • Forced to pay massive “reparations” (payments) to the allies. • German military reduced substantially • Germany lost territory

26. Which of the fourteen points ultimately passed?

27. Which of the fourteen points ultimately passed?

28. Germany’s Reaction • The terms of the treaty were presented to the Germans who complained of its severity • The Germans complained about nearly every clause. The allies ignored all but a few complaints. • With no other option, the Germans signed the treaty. ‘Peace’ was signed in the Hall of Mirrors, at Versailles. • The Germans felt cheated by this treaty, because virtually none of Wilson’s ‘Fourteen Points’ had been included in the treaty. • The Germans called the treaty a ‘diktat’ because it was dictated to them, without real consultation. The Weimar government, especially Ebert who had signed the treaty, was looked upon as traitorous.

29. America’s Reaction • America refused to ratify the treaty. • Congress refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles because:- • The Republican majority in Congress wanted ‘isolation’

30. Long-term consequences • German economy never regained traction • Germans resented the treaty and especially the “War Guilt Clause” • The country becomes increasingly radicalized; they start embracing the Nazi Party led by Adolf Hitler

31. The League of Nations

32. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pPmZm-zs-k

33. Good Idea, bad implementation • The United States not joining doomed the League of Nations from the start. • Economic sanctions not enough.

34. The Other Treaties

35. The Other Treaties • Besides the Treaty of Versailles, four other Treaties are signed setting up the conditions of peace with other Alliance nations. • Treaty of Versailles: Germany • Treaty of St. Germaine: Austria • Treaty of Trianon: Hungary • Treaty of Neuilly: Bulgaria • Treaty of Serves: Ottoman Empire • Partitioning of the German, Austrian, and Ottoman Empires: • Poland becomes a nation. • Baltic States: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia. • Austria-Hungary becomes: Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Hungary • Balkans: Yugoslavia

38. The mandate system • Pink = Mandates on behalf of the League of Nations given to the French • Green = Mandates on behalf of the League of Nations to the British

39. The Mandate System cont’d • Britain controlled: Iraq, Nauru, Palestine, Transjordan, Tanganyika, half of Togoland, and half of Cameroon. • France controlled: Syria, Lebanon, half of Cameroon, and half of Togoland.

40. The Treaty of Locarno • 1925: Guaranteed Germany’s new western borders with Belgium and France. Additionally, it allowed Germany into the League of Nations.