The document summarizes the key events of the Paris Peace Conference following World War I. The Big Four leaders (Wilson, Clemenceau, Lloyd George, and Orlando) debated the peace terms. Wilson proposed the Fourteen Points plan for lasting peace, including self-determination and a League of Nations. However, Britain and France prioritized punishing Germany. The resulting Treaty of Versailles blamed Germany for the war and imposed heavy reparations. It also redrew borders in Europe and divided former Ottoman lands into mandates. However, the treaty left bitter feelings on both sides and did not achieve a stable peace.
2. IntroductionIntroduction
► World War I was over. The killing had stopped.World War I was over. The killing had stopped.
The terms of peace, however, still had to beThe terms of peace, however, still had to be
worked out. Onworked out. On January 18, 1919January 18, 1919 , a conference, a conference
to establish those terms began at theto establish those terms began at the Palace ofPalace of
VersaillesVersailles, outside, outside ParisParis. Attending the talks,. Attending the talks,
known as theknown as the Paris Peace ConferenceParis Peace Conference , were, were
delegates representing 32 countries. For one year,delegates representing 32 countries. For one year,
this conference would be the scene of vigorous,this conference would be the scene of vigorous,
often bitter debate. The Allied powers struggled tooften bitter debate. The Allied powers struggled to
solve their conflicting aims in various peacesolve their conflicting aims in various peace
treaties.treaties.
4. Key Leaders Come TogetherKey Leaders Come Together
► This group of leadersThis group of leaders
was known as thewas known as the BigBig
FourFour dominated thedominated the
peace talks in Paris atpeace talks in Paris at
Versailles.Versailles.
9. Wilson’s Plan for PeaceWilson’s Plan for Peace
►Wilson proposesWilson proposes Fourteen PointsFourteen Points—an—an
outline for lasting world peace.outline for lasting world peace.
►Calls for free trade and an end to alliancesCalls for free trade and an end to alliances
and military buildupsand military buildups
►PromotesPromotes self-determinationself-determination —right of—right of
people to govern their own nationpeople to govern their own nation
►Envisions international peace-keeping bodyEnvisions international peace-keeping body
to settle world disputesto settle world disputes
10. Fourteen PointsFourteen Points
1.1. End of secret treatiesEnd of secret treaties
2.2. Freedom of the seasFreedom of the seas
3.3. Free tradeFree trade
4.4. Arms reductionsArms reductions
5.5. Adjustment of colonial claimsAdjustment of colonial claims
6.6. Settlement of questionsSettlement of questions
regarding Russian territoryregarding Russian territory
7.7. Restoration of BelgiumRestoration of Belgium
8.8. Restoration of France’sRestoration of France’s
territories including Alsace-territories including Alsace-
LorraineLorraine
9.9. Readjustment of Italy’sReadjustment of Italy’s
bordersborders
10.10. Peoples of Austria-HungaryPeoples of Austria-Hungary
given self-determinationgiven self-determination
11.11. Serbia given access to the seaSerbia given access to the sea
and can join with other Balkanand can join with other Balkan
states (Yugoslavia created).states (Yugoslavia created).
12.12. Turkish portion of OttomanTurkish portion of Ottoman
empire sovereign, but otherempire sovereign, but other
portions given self-portions given self-
determination. Dardanellesdetermination. Dardanelles
open to as shipping passageopen to as shipping passage
to all nations.to all nations.
13.13. Independent PolandIndependent Poland
14.14. League of NationsLeague of Nations
11. The Versailles TreatyThe Versailles Treaty
► Britain and France oppose Wilson’s ideas andBritain and France oppose Wilson’s ideas and
want to punish Germany.want to punish Germany.
► Allies and Germany sign an accord—the Treaty ofAllies and Germany sign an accord—the Treaty of
Versailles—in June 1919.Versailles—in June 1919.
Creates League of Nations—international organizationCreates League of Nations—international organization
to keep peace.to keep peace.
Blames Germans for war, forces Germany to payBlames Germans for war, forces Germany to pay
damages (reparations) to nations.damages (reparations) to nations.
League to rule German colonies until deemed ready forLeague to rule German colonies until deemed ready for
independence.independence.
13. The Creation of New NationsThe Creation of New Nations
The Versailles Treaty, other peace accordsThe Versailles Treaty, other peace accords
change the look of Europechange the look of Europe
Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire allAustria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire all
lose landslose lands
Former Ottoman lands in Southwest Asia turnFormer Ottoman lands in Southwest Asia turn
intointo mandatesmandates
New countries in southeastern EuropeNew countries in southeastern Europe
Russia gives up land.Russia gives up land.
15. New European Countries Post World War INew European Countries Post World War I
Finland-land lost by Russia
Estonia-land lost by Russia
HungaryAustri
a
Romania-gained land
Czechoslovakia
Poland-restored from land lost by
Germany and Russia
Yugoslavia
Latvia-land lost by Russia
Lithuania-land lost by Russia
16. Mandates in Africa and Middle EastMandates in Africa and Middle East
1.1. French Mandate of SyriaFrench Mandate of Syria
2.2. French Mandate ofFrench Mandate of
LebanonLebanon
3.3. British Mandate ofBritish Mandate of
PalestinePalestine
4.4. British Mandate ofBritish Mandate of
TransjordanTransjordan
5.5. British Mandate of IraqBritish Mandate of Iraq
6.6. British TogolandBritish Togoland
7.7. French TogolandFrench Togoland
8.8. British CameroonBritish Cameroon
9.9. French CameroonFrench Cameroon
10.10. Ruanda-UrundiRuanda-Urundi
11.11. TanganyikaTanganyika
12.12. South-West AfricaSouth-West Africa
17. ““A Peace Build on Quicksand”A Peace Build on Quicksand”
► Treaty of Versailles creates feelings of bitternessTreaty of Versailles creates feelings of bitterness
on both sideson both sides
► German people feel bitter and betrayed afterGerman people feel bitter and betrayed after
taking blame for wartaking blame for war
► America never ratifies Treaty of VersaillesAmerica never ratifies Treaty of Versailles
Many Americans oppose League of Nations andMany Americans oppose League of Nations and
involvement with Europeinvolvement with Europe
► Some former colonies express anger over notSome former colonies express anger over not
winning independencewinning independence
► Japan, Italy criticize agreement; gain less landJapan, Italy criticize agreement; gain less land
than they wantthan they want