International Relations in an age of uncertainty
Political effects of WW1
1. Empires that had dominated Central and Eastern Europe had disintegrated and had
left behind chaos
2. Tsarist regime in Russia was overthrown by the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917
3. Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate in 1918
Personalities
Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) = Became president in 1913 and brought the USA into
war in 1917 – acting as an impartial mediator that was disappointed with the result
of the Paris Peace Conference
Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924) = Played a key role in the 1917 Russian Revolution as he
was the leader of the Russian Bolshevik Party.
Wilson’s Fourteen Points
1. Removing all secret alliances and treaties
2. Everyone has free access to the seas in peace and war
3. Free trade (as far as possible) as protectionism had caused much resentment
4. Reduction of armaments (as arms race was a major contributor to the war)
5. Adjusting colonial claims to avoid conflict but locals must be represented in talks
6. Russia should be welcomed into society of nations and given land it lost
7. Liberation of France and Alsace-Lorraine should be returned to it
8. Restoration of Belgian territory
9. Restoration of Balkan nations (Serbia, Montenegro and Romania)
10. Readjustment of Italian boundaries based on nationality and language
11. Self-governance and independence for all peoples in A-H
12. Self-governance and independence for non-Turkish people in Turkey
13. Independence for Poland and access to the sea
14. Creation of the League of Nations to ensure future peace – a general association of
nations formed under specific covenants to ensure mutual guarantees of
independence and territorial integrities to all nations (collective security)
Despite encouragement by Wilson, the US Senate refused to ratify the settlement at the
Paris Peace conference (largely due to opposition to Article 10 of the covenant that said
members would defend other members if attacked).
New Communist Russia
Russia’s new revolutionary government wanted to spread communism and was therefore
not invited to the peace talks that would define the post-war world. Communism is a system
of government based on a classless society where there is common ownership of the means
of production.
, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and the End of German involvement in the war
Vladimir Lenin wanted to secure his Bolshevik government and believed that exiting
WW1 would help his aim.
This led to negotiations between Russia and Germany (Central Powers) where harsh
negotiations meant Russia lost 25% of its land, 25% of its population and 90% of its
coal mines (Poland, Ukraine, Estonia…)
With Russia out of the war, Germany could now focus its efforts on the Western
front and with its new land and resources many felt that the Central Powers could be
successful.
However, when the Germany launched a major offensive on the Western Front, the
Allies launched a counter-offensive that stretched supply lines and starved troops of
vital food and equipment. The blockade strangled Germany and the winter of 1918
was known as the Turnip Winter.
Realising the situation was becoming hopeless, German naval commanders decided
to launch one final naval attack against the British. Convinced, that this was a suicide
mission and one they would inevitably lose anyway, the German sailors mutinied,
which sparked a wider revolution.
This panics the Kaiser as troops are no longer loyal to him and forces the Kaiser to
flee.
Aims of the Paris Peace Conference
In the words of the French president Raymond Poincaré, he wanted to “prevent a
recurrence of it [the war].
Under the circumstance of the Russian Civil War and revolutions throughout A-H and
Turkey, decisions needed to be reached quickly.
Real power came to rest with the Council of Four; President Woodrow Wilson (USA),
PM David Lloyd George (GB), PM Georges Clamenceau (France) and PM Vittorio
Orlando – although most decisions were made by the ‘Big Three’.
Clemenceau DL George Wilson
Wanted to cripple Germany George wanted a less severe Wilson wanted a lenient peace based on
economically and militarily settlement – it was in Britain’s his Fourteen Points and his slogan ‘peace
– as revenge for the best interest that Germany without victory’. He believed that a harsh
damage German aggression recovered quickly as it treaty = resentment = future conflict. He
caused France. Therefore, it imported many British goods. believed that the greed and selfishness of
would ensure that Germany However, public opinion in rival European nations was a major
could no longer threaten Britain was very anti-German contributor to the outbreak of war.
French borders. This and DLG won the election by However, Wilson had very little knowledge
eagerness to seek a harsh promising he would ‘make of the complex problems facing Europe in
settlement earned him the Germany pay’. 1919 and could no longer be
nickname, “The Tiger”. representative of America as the
Democrats had lost control of the Senate
in the mid-term elections.
Treaty of Versailles
Political effects of WW1
1. Empires that had dominated Central and Eastern Europe had disintegrated and had
left behind chaos
2. Tsarist regime in Russia was overthrown by the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917
3. Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate in 1918
Personalities
Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) = Became president in 1913 and brought the USA into
war in 1917 – acting as an impartial mediator that was disappointed with the result
of the Paris Peace Conference
Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924) = Played a key role in the 1917 Russian Revolution as he
was the leader of the Russian Bolshevik Party.
Wilson’s Fourteen Points
1. Removing all secret alliances and treaties
2. Everyone has free access to the seas in peace and war
3. Free trade (as far as possible) as protectionism had caused much resentment
4. Reduction of armaments (as arms race was a major contributor to the war)
5. Adjusting colonial claims to avoid conflict but locals must be represented in talks
6. Russia should be welcomed into society of nations and given land it lost
7. Liberation of France and Alsace-Lorraine should be returned to it
8. Restoration of Belgian territory
9. Restoration of Balkan nations (Serbia, Montenegro and Romania)
10. Readjustment of Italian boundaries based on nationality and language
11. Self-governance and independence for all peoples in A-H
12. Self-governance and independence for non-Turkish people in Turkey
13. Independence for Poland and access to the sea
14. Creation of the League of Nations to ensure future peace – a general association of
nations formed under specific covenants to ensure mutual guarantees of
independence and territorial integrities to all nations (collective security)
Despite encouragement by Wilson, the US Senate refused to ratify the settlement at the
Paris Peace conference (largely due to opposition to Article 10 of the covenant that said
members would defend other members if attacked).
New Communist Russia
Russia’s new revolutionary government wanted to spread communism and was therefore
not invited to the peace talks that would define the post-war world. Communism is a system
of government based on a classless society where there is common ownership of the means
of production.
, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and the End of German involvement in the war
Vladimir Lenin wanted to secure his Bolshevik government and believed that exiting
WW1 would help his aim.
This led to negotiations between Russia and Germany (Central Powers) where harsh
negotiations meant Russia lost 25% of its land, 25% of its population and 90% of its
coal mines (Poland, Ukraine, Estonia…)
With Russia out of the war, Germany could now focus its efforts on the Western
front and with its new land and resources many felt that the Central Powers could be
successful.
However, when the Germany launched a major offensive on the Western Front, the
Allies launched a counter-offensive that stretched supply lines and starved troops of
vital food and equipment. The blockade strangled Germany and the winter of 1918
was known as the Turnip Winter.
Realising the situation was becoming hopeless, German naval commanders decided
to launch one final naval attack against the British. Convinced, that this was a suicide
mission and one they would inevitably lose anyway, the German sailors mutinied,
which sparked a wider revolution.
This panics the Kaiser as troops are no longer loyal to him and forces the Kaiser to
flee.
Aims of the Paris Peace Conference
In the words of the French president Raymond Poincaré, he wanted to “prevent a
recurrence of it [the war].
Under the circumstance of the Russian Civil War and revolutions throughout A-H and
Turkey, decisions needed to be reached quickly.
Real power came to rest with the Council of Four; President Woodrow Wilson (USA),
PM David Lloyd George (GB), PM Georges Clamenceau (France) and PM Vittorio
Orlando – although most decisions were made by the ‘Big Three’.
Clemenceau DL George Wilson
Wanted to cripple Germany George wanted a less severe Wilson wanted a lenient peace based on
economically and militarily settlement – it was in Britain’s his Fourteen Points and his slogan ‘peace
– as revenge for the best interest that Germany without victory’. He believed that a harsh
damage German aggression recovered quickly as it treaty = resentment = future conflict. He
caused France. Therefore, it imported many British goods. believed that the greed and selfishness of
would ensure that Germany However, public opinion in rival European nations was a major
could no longer threaten Britain was very anti-German contributor to the outbreak of war.
French borders. This and DLG won the election by However, Wilson had very little knowledge
eagerness to seek a harsh promising he would ‘make of the complex problems facing Europe in
settlement earned him the Germany pay’. 1919 and could no longer be
nickname, “The Tiger”. representative of America as the
Democrats had lost control of the Senate
in the mid-term elections.
Treaty of Versailles
