The Paris Peace Conference and the resulting Treaty of Versailles were both complete failures. Neither one did much of anything to really bring peace or unity amongst nations. The conference convened on January 18, 1919. Throughout the period during which the conference was in session, thirty- two nations attended; Germany and Russia were not among these nations. The major decisions made during the conference, however, were made by the Big Four: Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George, Vittorio Orlando, and Georges Clemenceau. During this time, Wilson stressed his Fourteen Points, one of them being the establishment of an association of nations. For all his preaching about it, they did end up establishing the basis for a League of Nations. It was hesitantly, though, that this proposal was added to the Treaty, which was signed in June of 1919. As Wilson continued to preach on about his idealistic plans, the other nations cried for victory and justice.
The Allied Powers, especially France, Britain, and Italy, decided it was best to throw all responsibility of the Great War on Germany. In doing so, they made sure in the Treaty to force Germany to surrender all overseas possessions and approximately ten percent of its prewar territories. They required a reduced limit to Germany’s army and navy as well. In the Treaty of Versailles, it was also written that Germany pay financial reparations to the Allies. The initial payment required of Germany was five billion dollars. Later in 1921, the Allies added up their losses from the war and charged Germany another thirty-five billion dollars. Many people disagreed with elements of the Treaty, especially in the United States, and the League of Nations was dismissed as idealistic folly. On March 19, 1920, the final vote was taken in the U.S. Senate concerning the ratification of the Treaty. The tally fell seven votes short and the Treaty was dismissed. The U.S. later signed a separate peace treaty with Germany, in which the United States enjoyed all the privileges laid out in the Treaty of Versailles, but left out any mention of the League of Nations. The U.S. never joined the organization, even though it was Wilson’s original idea. Evidently, the Paris Peace Conference was a waste of time and energy, and the Treaty of Versailles was a document that became an utter failure.
Sources:
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1333.html
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/wwi/89875.htm
