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AIM: What was the Treaty of Versailles? The Peace Conference The negotiations at the peace conference took place among the Big Four nations: the United States, Britain, France, Italy. Neither Germany nor Russia was invited. The Allies disagreed as to the terms of a peace treaty. Wilson hoped his Fourteen Points plan would be accepted, but many compromises had to be made. European Allies wanted revenge for the damage Germany caused to their countries. The Allies also discussed dealing with the new Bolshevik regime in Russia. France, Britain and the United States sent troops to Russia, fearing the spread of communism and supporting the anti-Bolshevik fighting for control. Germany and the Allies signed the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919. The terms said: Germany had to accept full responsibility for the war and pay billions of dollars in reparations to the Allies for the damages caused in the war. Germany had to completely disarm and give up overseas colonies and some territory in Europe. The treaty also carved up collapsed Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires. New nations were created, and old ones were restored. Many of the new borders were disputed though, leading to future conflicts. The treaty included the creation of the League of Nations, although other points of President Wilson’s plan were rejected. The president hoped that including the League would correct any mistakes in the rest of the treaty. Opposition at Home The Treaty of Versailles was presented to the United States Senate for ratification in 1919. It was rejected in 1920. In 1921, the United States signed a separate peace treaty with each of the Central Powers. The United States did not join the League of Nations. Many Americans felt the treaty dealt too harshly with Germany, and they did not want to participate in the League of Nations. They felt the League was a permanent commitment to international affairs that would prevent America from setting its own foreign policy. The most powerful opponent was Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts, head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He delayed a vote so opponents could present their cases, and he proposed a number of reservations that would limit America’s obligations. President Wilson went on a national speaking tour to gain support for the treaty and for the League. In late September, he had a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. Even so, he considered running a third term. In March 1920, the Senate voted on the Treaty with Lodge’s changes. President Wilson asked Democrats to vote against it. With so much opposition, the treaty did not pass.