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War Aims of the United States The present war must first be ended; but...it makes a great deal of difference in what way and upon what terms it is ended. The treaties and agreements which bring it to an end must embody terms which will create a peace that is worth guaranteeing and preserving, a peace that will win the approval of mankind, not merely a peace that will serve the several interests and immediate aims of the nations engaged.... It must be a peace without victory....Only a peace between equals can least. Only a peace the very principle of which is equality and a common participation in a common benefit... – Wilson, January 22, 1917 The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them. - Wilson
Wilson's 14 point peace plan Meetings with the Big Four in 1918 • Wilson USA • Lloyd George Great Britain • Orlando Italy • Clemenceau France
Key parts to Wilson's plan 1-5 No secret agreements between nations -Freedom of the seas -Nations reduce weapon building -Countries boundaries to be redrawn 6-13 Factors of Self-determination -Smaller countries decide if they want outside rule. 14. League of Nations
Reactions: • Germany would have wanted this plan as it would not punish them. Critics said this was “peace without victory” • Main Europeans did not want this plan as it did not punish Germany, satisfy their quest for revenge, or pay for damages and expenses they incurred. • Germany was not even at the Peace table to express themselves.
The Treaty of Versailles The three main countries wanted to punish Germany. • Break up German colonial holdings • Take away German navy • Reduce size of Germany • Reparations bill of $33 Billion to be paid All those things taken away will be distributed to the Big Three.
OUTCOME: Wilson worked for six months to get the other leaders to agree to his League of Nations idea. They were not interested in his 14 points, so they agreed to the L of N to keep him quiet! Wilson returned to USA and presented the plan to Congress. He had signed the treaty but it needed Congress’s approval. Congress refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, Wilson went on a personal tour around the USA to get support, this caused stress that resulted in his death. USA never signed the peace plan to end WWI !
Disarmament Treaties Four Power Treaty: All major territorial claims in the Pacific will belong to their owners (the US, France, England, etc). Washington Armaments Conference (Nov 1921–February 1922): Five-Power Treaty:USA, Japan, Great Britain, France, and Italy Limited the tonnage of their navies and placed a ten-year moratorium on the construction of aircraft carriers and battleships. No restrictions on the construction of cruisers, destroyers, and submarines. Nine-Power Treaty: Great Britain, France, Italy, Japan, China, Belgium pledged to support the Open Door Policy and respect the territorial integrity of China. Kellogg-Briand Pact: Outlawed “war” as a weapon of foreign policy (although all 62 countries that signed said they reserve the right to defend themselves if another country attacks).
