Milestone 3 Analysis
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Southern New Hampshire University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
220
Subject
History
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
5
Uploaded by BrigadierWolfMaster899
HIS 220 Milestone Three
The 14-Points and the Treaty of Versailles were meant to bring a peaceful resolution to World War I. President Thomas Woodrow Wilson wrote his 14-Points paper with the intent to bring peace throughout Europe due to the devastation of World War 1. These points were presented on 8 January 1918 to the U.S. Congress during one of their sessions.
1
This speech would be the beginning of what would later be addressed in the Paris Peace Conference and become an integral part of The Treaty of Versailles. In the beginning his points would be well received by some however, there were many who disagreed with it. These points, though well-conceived had a flaw in them. First was that it favored the United States and its Allies more than it helped alleviate any issues happening throughout Europe. There were many different points about the distribution of land and promoting independent governing throughout the region. In point XIV of his speech, it states “A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and
territorial integrity to great and small states alike”.
2
Though it appeared in writings that all territories should be independent; it was not true for everyone. The points so favored the Allies and was a true demonstration of the influence of the United States. Both Great Britain and France benefited from the 14 points as well, with Great Britain having control over more areas and France getting payback against Germany for all their aggression during the war. In the end these 14-points would be a huge part in the Treaty of Versailles.
The Treaty of Versailles would expand on the 14-Points and would demonstrate how much it would affect all the countries involved. Articles 231-245 were very concise in what must be done in order to achieve peace.
3
When viewed from the allies’ point-of-view it was all just and fair across the board as they would get pretty much all of their wants. On the other hand, 1 Wilson, Thomas W. "14-Points." Speech at Joint Session of Congress, Washington D.C., January 8, 1918.
2 Wilson, 14points, 275
3 “Treaty of Versailles, 1919.” 2017. Treaty of Versailles, 1919
, August, 1. https://search-ebscohost-
com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=khh&AN=21212329&site=eds-live&scope=site.
Germany viewed it as an overly harsh punishment and would result in a letter from Prime minister Brockendorf to President Clemenceau about the treaty’s harshness.
4
There were numerous realities that emerged from the Treaty of Versailles. One of these was the
fact that the Germans nor their allies had any say in the treaty even though in article 233 of the treaty, it stated that “This Commission shall consider the claims and give to the German Government a just opportunity to be heard.”
5
Other realities that came to fruition were the number of territories taken from the Germans and its allies. the Allies would gain a substantial number of territories divided throughout Europe. Also, several new countries were formed or in
some case reformed such as Poland. Another reality was that Germany did not deliver all of the monetary amount they agreed to.
The 14-Points and Treaty of Versailles had numerous effects on the future, especially throughout the 1920’s and 1930’s in Europe. Fascism became the movement of the day for several regions throughout Europe. Benito Mussolini was considered the father of fascism when he held a meeting in Milan on March 23, 1919 with other like Minded individuals.
6
His groups would use violence to achieve Fascism which could be a described radical and nationalist in nature to gain members. Another affect was the coming of future dictator named Adolph Hitler. Hitler would Start up the National Socialist Party better known throughout the world as the Nazi party. The party developed their 25-Points with one of the points being, repeal the Treaty of Versailles.
7
This party would eventually come into power and would rule in
a totalitarian dictatorship and eventually lead to World War II. Another affect would not happen
4 Brockdorff -Rantzau, Ulrich K .C .G. Letter from the German delegation to President Clemenceau of France. Letter from U.S. Department of State, Office if the Historian. Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Paris Peace Conference, 1919, Volume VI. https ://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1919 Parisv06 /d89 (accessed September 3, 2023)
5 Treaty of Versailles, 1919 Article 233
6
Robert O. Paxton and Julie Hessler, Europe in the Twentieth Century, 5th ed. (Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning, 2011). 181.
7 Paxton and Hessler, Europe in the Twentieth Century, 5th ed. 190.
in Europe, but in America. America would enter the 1920’s on a high note. The economy had increased by 40% and people were now moving out of rural America into the cities.
8
This era would be known as the “Roaring Twenties”, and would continue until the economic collapse on
October 29, 1929.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Modified
Annotated
Bibliography
“Treaty of Versailles, 1919.” 2017. Treaty of Versailles, 1919
, August, 1. https://search-ebscohost-
com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=khh&AN=21212329&site=eds-
live&scope=site.
The Treaty of Versailles is a primary source that gives the exact wording of
requirements for peace to be achieved after World War I. The wording is direct and to the
point on all reparations to be made by Germany for its part as the aggressor in World War
I. The main parts of the treaty pointed at the need for punishment through reparations
from Germany to the Allied forces and Europe as a whole. Being a document it staes facts
rather than perspectives, however all the participants had different views on the amount of
peace reached and equitable treatment provided by the treaty.
Wilson, Thomas W. "14-Points." Speech at Joint Session of Congress, Washington D.C., January 8, 1918.
President Wilson’s 14-Points is a primary source that he wrote and presented to
congress at their joint session. His intent was to help end the war and bring about peace to
the European territories. From his perspective the United States would benefit greatly
from a settled peace and gain a foothold in Europe. There were skeptics regarding the 14-
Points, however they were still part of the Treaty of Versailles and did as he believed they
would. This can be viewed as facts since all sessions before congress are recorded and can
be found in the Library of Congress. Robert O. Paxton and Julie Hessler, Europe in the Twentieth Century, 5th ed. (Belmont,
CA: Cengage Learning, 2011).
The history book “Europe in the Twentieth Century, 5th ed.” By Paxton and Hessler
is a secondary source of information. It provides stunning detail of what transpired in
Europe throughout the early twentieth century. Though fact based you can find different
variations to the events presented throughout the internet and other publications. This is an
outside perspective from their in-depth research of the time period.