Sunday, December 20, 2009

Securing the Peace.

Due on Monday, Dec. 21 before the beginning of class. Your answers to the following questions can be posted online or on paper. It is your choice.



Read pages 12 - 21 in the handout distributed in class. (It is not available online.) It is entitled, Securing the Peace.



Questions from Reading: Securing the Peace, pgs. 12 - 21



1. Why did Woodrow Wilson not take any Republicans with him to Europe for the Peace Conference?
Because of his own personal hatred against Lodge and his wounded pride from midterm elections. Also, the political differences between the two.

2. Why was Wilson welcomed in Paris?
Because the people of paris had read the Fourteen Points prior to his coming. They found hope in his ideas.

3. The idea of self-rule, which Wilson advocated, was not included in the Treaty to the extent Wilson had hoped. Why not?
Because of an argument over Orlando wanting to aquire land. Ultimatley he left the conference to return when it was compromised. The would be no "peace" if Wilson did not compromise.

4. The Allied Big Four - Wilson, Lloyd George, Orlando, and Clemenceau - discussed the question of whether to invite the conquered Germans and the new Russian Bolsehvik government to the Versailles Conference and its negotiations but decided against it. Was the decision justified? Explain your reasoning.
I dont believe that the German denial was justified because the only reason they did not attened was because France did not want them to have a say in the treaty. Russia however, is justified because the Big Four wanted communism as far away from Europe as possible because communism only causes more trouble. And besides, they pulled out of the war before it was over.

5. Which Big Four leader showed up at the Paris Conference with the most strenght to influence the proceedings? Which was the weakest? Why?
France because a. it was their country. b. they pushed punishment of Germany which passed. Japan was the weakest because they hardly gained anything.

6. Why did Wilson have such difficulty seeing his Fourteen Points written into the Peace Plan?
Because alot of the European countries were more focused on punishing germany than
actually aquire peace in europe. Also, America opposed many aspects of the Fourteen Points.

7. Explain Article X of the League of Nations Covenant. What problems with the covenant did some Americans have?
The Article X would include all states that signed. it would require them to fend for their fellow states in the event of war. Unfortunatly, some americans felt that it was unnecassary for America to get involved with overseas conflicts. Also, they feared for the men of america.

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