Transcript World War I

Lawrence Verria / North Kingstown High School
World War I
A United States Perspective
The Arguments for Peace
World War I Peace Process
Focus Question
Are United States actions during
the World War I peace process
indicative of a nation carrying
out an imperialistic agenda or a
country trying to shape a better
world for all nations to co-exist?
Armistice
November 11,1918
On the eleventh hour...
Of the eleventh day...
Of the eleventh month...
An armistice was signed in a railway car.
Finally,
All was Quiet
on the
Western Front.
World War I
Treaty of Versailles
Woodrow Wilson
looked at the
Treaty as an
opportunity to
change the world.
President Wilson
wanted to welcome
the Germans to a
new world order.
His European counterparts,
embittered by the damages
and losses of the war, did not
share Wilson’s vision.
World War I
League of Nations
With WWI over, the Big Four (David Loyd of
England, George “The Tiger” Clemencea of
France, Vittorio Orlando of Italy, and Woodrow
Wison of the U.S.) were to determine the
world’s future.
World War I
Wilson’s Fourteen Points
• President Wilson
wanted to create a
world where war
would not likely be
used as a means of
settling disputes.
• His 14 Points were
meant to the blue
print for that goal.
World War I
The Key Points
• Self
determination
• League of
Nations
President Wilson was treated enthusiastically throughout
Europe. This reception built his confidence that ideas for a
new world order were destined to be accepted.
After the Treaty of Versailles was signed,
Woodrow Wilson continued to be given a hero’s
reception. This set him up to believe that he
could gain the United States Senate approval
through his mere endorsement.
World War I
Senate Opposition to the League
Opposition Points
• The covenant
called for members
of the League to
defend one another
against aggression.
• Personal issues
• Henry Cabot Lodge was the
• Political issues
League’s most prominent
opponent in the U.S. Senate.
World War I
League of Nations Debate
The League was
defeated in the
Senate.
Though the
League did exist
without the U.S.,
it was virtually a
“figure head”
organization.
President Wilson
died a defeated
man.
Many feel the defeat of the
League of Nations served
to fertilize the seeds of
World War II.
World War I Peace Process
Focus Question
Are United States actions during
the World War I peace process
indicative of a nation carrying
out an imperialistic agenda or a
country trying to shape a better
world for all nations to co-exist?