Malky Fried
Professor Markson
LHS-208-M-JG
April 28, 2015 Module 2: The US as a New World Power
War breaks out in Europe in July 1914, after the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated. Because of the alliance system, most major European nations soon join the conflict. A series of events early in 1917 finally lead to America’s entry into World War 1.
On February 1, Germany announces a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, threatening to attack without warning all vessels headed for Allied ports. The main reason for Germany’s decision is that the war was at a stalemate. Germany knows that this move would probably bring the United States into the war. However, Germany believes its U-boats,
…show more content…
The United States, particularly President Wilson, plays a major role in the peacemaking process. Wilson first suggests his own peace proposals in January 1918. His Fourteen Points stipulate the following: Open, not secret diplomacy, freedom of the seas, the removal of trade barriers, arms reduction, self determination of peoples-that is letting various national groups make their own political decisions, and an “association of nations” to guarantee political independence and territorial integrity. The Fourteen Points becomes the basis for the peace negotiations held at Versailles, France, beginning in January 1919. Wilson leads the American delegation, thus becoming the first President of the United States to leave American soil while in office. Other allied leaders present include Georges Clemenceau of France, David Lloyd George of Britian, and Vittorio Orlando of Italy.
The agreement of paramount importance at Versailles is the treaty with Germany, the Treaty of Versailles. According to its provisions, Germany has to: Accept complete responsibility for causing the war, pay monumental reparations to the Allies, give up its military forces, cede lands to the new nations of Poland and Czechoslovakia and relinquish control of its overseas colonies. Wilson opposes many of the settlements of the Versailles Treaty and treaties with the other Central Powers, however, he is willing to compromise because these settlements provide for an new world organization, The League of