‘Peace Without Victory’

1. ‘Peace Without Victory’ • Analyze Wilson’s statement regarding the end of the war. Why does he call it ‘peace without victory’? What is he warning against? What Progressive ideals are present in his statement? Discuss with a partner. • They imply, first of all, that it must be a peace without victory.  …  Victory would mean peace forced upon the loser, a victor's terms imposed upon the vanquished.  It would be accepted in humiliation, under duress, at an intolerable sacrifice, and would leave a sting, a resentment, a bitter memory upon which terms of peace would rest, not permanently, but only as upon quicksand.  Only a peace between equals can last.  Only a peace the very principle of which is equality and a common participation in a common benefit.  The right state of mind, the right feeling between nations, is as necessary for a lasting peace as is the just settlement of vexed questions of territory or of racial and national allegiance.

3. Wilson’s 14 Points Progressivism in Action

4. Fourteen Points • In a speech to Congress before the war ended, President Wilson outlined a vision of a “just and lasting peace.” • His plan was called the Fourteen Points, and among its ideas were • Open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, the removal of trade barriers, and the reduction of military arms • A fair system to resolve disputes over colonies • Self-determination, or the right of people to decide their own political status and form their own nations • Establishing a League of Nations, or an organization of countries working together to settle disputes, protect democracy, and prevent future wars

5. Fourteen Points (cont’d) • The Fourteen Points expressed a new philosophy that applied progressivism to U.S. foreign policy. • The Fourteen Points declared that foreign policy should be based on morality, not just on what’s best for the nation.

9. Treaty of Versailles • Terms of peace determined by “Big Four” • President Wilson of the United States • Prime Minister Lloyd George of Great Britain • Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau of France • Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando of Italy

10. What did it do? (big picture) • Establishes League of Nations • Cripples Germany militarily, economically, territorially

11. What did it do? (details) • Established the League of Nations • Germany had to accept the blame for starting the war (Clause 231).  This was vital because it provided the justification for... • Germany had to pay £6,600 million (called Reparations) for the damage done during the war. • 132 Billion German Marks -> $400 Billion in today’s money • These payments were recently completed October 4, 2010 • Germany was forbidden to have submarines or an air force.   She could have a navy of only six battleships, and an Army of just 100,000 men.   In addition, Germany was not allowed to place any troops in the Rhineland, the strip of land, 50 miles wide, next to France. • Germany lost territory (land) in Europe • Germany’s colonies were given to Britain and France. • Also, Germany was forbidden to join the League of Nations, or unite with Austria.

12. League of Nations • 42 members - by 1930’s 59 • Defeated countries could not join e.g. Germany • Russia excluded because communist • USA did not join - isolation from world affairs • A club for the victorious?

13. Powers of the League • If a country ignored the ruling of the League it could: • Put pressure on • Refuse to trade - sanctions • Send in troops - member countries join together

14. Strengths • Many countries supported it in early days - they wanted peace • Had some early successes: • Settled some land disputes in 1920’s • helped refugees, dealt with spread of disease, fought for better conditions for people

15. Weaknesses • USA didn’t join • No real power - relied on goodwill and persuasion • No permanent army • Disarmament not realistic • Structure a disaster - everyone had to agree before any action taken

16. Question • To what extent does the League of Nations represent a shift in American foreign policy?