What were the primary objectives of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson at the Versailles Peace Conference, and how did they differ from the postwar aims of other Allied nations?
Delegates from twenty-seven victorious Allied nations gathered at the palace of Versailles in January 1919 to finalize the settlement of the Great War. American president Woodrow Wilson was determined to create a League of Nations based on ideals of open covenants of peace and self-determination of the people, intended to prevent future wars. Britain and France, however, were bent on punishing Germany and its supporters for instigating the war. Compromise on both sides was critical to achieve a peace settlement.
Woodrow Wilson had a vision. In his 14 Points speech,
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For example, David Lloyd George, prime minister of Great Britain, had built his electoral platform on making the Germans pay for the war, and was adamant this take place.
Meanwhile, French premier Georges Clemenceau felt the French people experienced the bulk of German aggression, and wanted security against any future attack. He demanded Germany be stripped of its military and be forced to pay huge reparations for the costs of war. Additionally, he called for the development of a separate Rhineland to serve as a physical buffer between France and Germany.
Also conflicting with Wilson’s principle of self-determination were secret treaties and agreements that were made before and during the war, which had to be taken into account. Compromise was the only way forward. Germany was named responsible for starting the war and was ordered to pay reparations for the damage caused. Further, Germany was required to reduce its army and navy, eliminate its air force, and let go of territories it had claimed. In exchange, France accepted an alliance with Great Britain and the United States instead of the buffer state, with their promise of support should Germany attack in the future. Wilson agreed to compromise on territorial arrangements, and the conference finally adopted the principle of the Leage of