Results Of World War I Essays - Treaty Of Versailles,

Results of World War I World War I became known as the Great War because it was the biggest war ever in the history of the world. It was supposed to be the war to end all wars. But it wasn't, 20 years later Germany rebuilt its army, and tried again to take over Europe. The peace treaties were partially responsible for World War II. (A) The end of World War I came after 4 years of harsh fighting. When the Americans joined the war effort in April of 1917, the Allies were given unlimited industrial and manpower resources. The US were decisive in winning the war, by sending about 10,000 soldiers per day, over to Europe. Revolution in Germany finally brought an end to the war. In October, 1918, the people of Germany couldn't tolerate the slaughter no more. An armistice, based on Wilson's 14 points, was signed on November 11, 1918. Germany had to evacuate all territory west of the Rhine immediately. (B) The Treaty of Versailles, named for the French palace where it was unveiled, was put together by 70 delegates; representing 27 victorious allied nations at, what was called, the Paris Peace Conference. Germany nor Russia were allowed to attend the conference because Russia, who broke away from the war, because of conflicts at home, signed a separate peace treaty with Germany. The leaders of the Big Four, consisting of Woodrow Wilson from the US, Georges Clemenceau from France, David Lloyd George from England, and Vittorio Orlando from Italy, made most of the important decisions at the Conference. Clemenceau was a tough, determined, and skillful politician. He was also a vengeful, old man. He was determined that Germany should not only suffer for what they had done, but that the peace terms should make it impossible for Germany to wage war ever again. Lloyd George was also a skillful politician. He wanted Germany's war leaders to be punished. And he was determined that none of Wilson's 14 points should be allowed to interfere with England, its traditional policies, or its commitments to others. Orlando, the least important of the Big Four, was determined that Italy was to receive huge territorial rewards that had been promised to them in 1915 to lure Italy to fight the war for the Allies. After three and half months of argument the delegates finally finished the treaty, and it was ready to be presented to Germany. The treaty had called for a number of changes to Germany and the world. The League of Nations was adopted, the only aspect of the 14 Points that was accepted. The treaty called for a world disarmament. The Allies were to occupy Rhineland for at least 15 or more years. The German provinces of Posen and West Prussia were given to Poland. Germany's colonies were given to the League of Nations. England and France divided up Germany's African colonies, and Japan took islands in the South Pacific. Germany had to accept sole responsibility for the war. The former emperor and war leaders were to be tried as war criminals, but that part of the treaty never came about. Germany's army was limited to 100,000 soldiers and they couldn't have any heavy artillery. The general staff was abolished, and the navy was reduced. No air force was allowed, and the production of plan es was forbidden. The worst part of the treaty, for the Germans, was that they had to pay the large sum of reparations. The French felt that the terms of the treaty were too merciful and voted out George Clemenceau. During the second debate at Versailles, the leader of the German delegation, Brockdorff-Rantzau, did not sign the treaty. He felt that the economic fulfillments were impossible. The German Chancellor Philipp Scheidemann also did not sign the treaty. When it became obvious that the treaty had to be signed, Brockdorff-Rantzau and Scheidemann resigned on June 21. The treaty was finally signed by new Chancellor Gustav and a new delegation on June 28. In the US, despite Wilson's efforts, the Senate did not ratify the treaty. Instead they made their own separate treaties with Germany, Austria, and Hungary. (C) Other treaties were made for the other central countries in the war. Austria signed the Treaty if Saint-Germain. It said that the