Download Guide to Essentials C24S4 The Failed Peace

Chapter 24 Section 4
The Failed Peace
VOCABULARY
Self-determination- right of national groups to their own territory and forms of
government
Reparations - compensation in money or materials made by a defeated nation.
Isolationist – person who wanted the United States to stay out of foreign affairs
SUMMARY
In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson proposed a plan to bring peace to Europe.
Wilson’s fourteen-point peace plan contained a number of important ideas. One idea was
the principle of self-determination. The others are listed below. The most important part
of the plan was Wilson’s idea of an association of nations. The association, called the
League of Nations, it would bring about world peace and cooperation President Wilson’s
goal for the League of Nations was to protect the independence of all nations.
Wilson’s goals were different from those of the Allied leaders. Wilson wanted a
“peace without victory” in which the defeated countries would not be punished. He hoped
to build good relations between countries in order to prevent further wars. The other
Allies, however, wanted mainly to punish Germany. They insisted that Germany pay cash
payments for the losses the Allies had suffered during the war. By June 1919, the Allied
Powers had reached an agreement called the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty included
many of Wilson’s ideas, such as the League of Nations. However, it also included many
measures that were harsh on Germany. For example Germany had to pay huge
reparations. It also lost its colonies, which were put under the control of other nations.
In the United States, the treaty had to be approved by the Senate. A number of
powerful senators were isolationists who opposed the treaty. They believed that
membership in the League of Nations might involve the United States in future European
wars. Wilson failed to win support for the treaty. In November 1919 the Senate rejected
the Treaty of Versailles.
Wilson’s Peace Plan Included
 End to secret agreements among nations
 Freedom of the seas
 Free trade
 Limits on arms
 Self-determination
 League of Nations
Review: Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Why did the Senate reject the Treaty of Versailles?
2. List three important ideas in Wilson’s plan for peace.