War Times
The Treaty of Versailles as it is
"The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people"
What is the treaty?
The treaty says that territory such as Alsace-Lorain, Eupen, Mamedy, North Schleswig, Hultschin, and West Prussia, will be taken away from Germany. As well as taking away German territory, Germany is also required to pay 6,000 million Franks as a consequence to starting WWI. With less land and less money this will make recovery impossible for the Germany.
In the Treaty of Versailles, there are the following clauses:
-Germany will respect the independence of Austria.
-Germany recognizes the complete independence of Czechoslovakia and Poland.
-Germany surrenders all their rights and titles over their overseas countries.
-The German military forces shall be demobilized and reduced not to exceed 100,000 men.
-The German navy must not exceed 6 battleships, 6 light cruisers, 12 destroyers, and 12 torpedo boats. No submarines are to be included. The Armed Forces of Germany must not include any military or naval air forces.
-Germany and their Allies accept the responsibility for causing all the loss and damage to the Allied Powers.
-Germany will pay for all damages done to the civilian population and property of the Allied Governments. [The figure was later set at $33 billion].
-The occupation forces will be withdrawn as soon as Germany complies with the Treaty.
To guarantee the execution of the Treaty, the German territory situated to the west of the Rhine River will be occupied by Allied troops for fifteen years.
Why to vote yes?
-Point #9: A readjustment of the frontiers of Italy should be effected along clearly recognizable lines of nationality.
-Point #10: The peoples of Austria- Hungary, whose place among the nations we wish to see safeguarded and assured, should be accorded the freest opportunity to autonomous development.
-Point#11: Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro, should be evacuated; occupied territories restored; Serbia accorded free and secure access to the sea; and the relations of the several Balkan states to one another determined by friendly counsel along historically established lines of allegiance and nationality; and international guarantees of the political and economic independence and territoria integrity of the several Balkan states should be entered into.
Included in Wilson's 14 points was the introduction of The League of Nations. This league was a group that was going to be set up to keep peace among the European countries. They would be able to allow political independence without complete freedom. Collective security, negotiation, and improving global welfare were all part of the League of Nations responsibilities. The United States did't want to join for fear of becoming the world's leading power. Wilson's 14 points will ensure peace among countries, eliminate economic barriers, create a better connection between nations, the League of the nations will be set up to allow political independence. By signing this treaty the US will also become the "Grandfather of the nations" this will allow the US to engage in foreign battles when necessary and the League of the Nations will require the participation of the US in further wars.