Renewed Isolationism 1919-20 Flashcards
1
Q
What were Wilson’s Fourteen Points?
A
- Peace settlement
- First five principles to maintain orderly relations with other countries - including no secret agreements between countries
- Next 8 dealt with matters of self-determination
- Included the restoration of Alsace-Lorraine to France + set up League of Nations
- However, ideas of self determination wouldn’t please everyone and some nations would lose populations
2
Q
Who was the peace settlement dominated by?
A
- Three leaders
- Clemenceau - French PM
- Loyd George - British PM
and Wilson
3
Q
When was the peace conference and what was it for?
What different motive did the countries involved have?
A
- Paris in January 1919 to create long lasting peace settlement - Wilson went although was poor health
- Most decisions made by ‘Big Three’ and each had different agendas
- France wanted to be harsh on Germany and British didn’t want it to be too harsh
- Wilson’s priority was to gain acceptance of the League of Nations - Wanted to punish Germany for reconciliation not revenge
4
Q
Why did the Peace Treaty fail? 2 reasons
A
- Wilson toured USA in sep 1919 to win support for membership of the league
- Followed by opponent who spoke equally convincingly against membership
- Touring was exhausting + Wilson collapsed after a speech in Colorado - campaign over
- Wilson refused to compromise. Lodge introduced a compromise bill in the Senate in Nov which Wilson told Democrats to oppose. Thereby failed, by 53 to 38 votes
5
Q
Describe failure of Peace Treaty:
A
- A document condemning league of nations and suggesting it should be delayed signed by 27 Republican senators
6
Q
The USA by 1920
How did the war effect US economy?
A
- By 1920, the USA was the world’s leading industrial nation
- Did not enter until 1917
- economy benefited greatly from war
7
Q
How was the economy of leading countries get affected by the war?
A
- Badly effected countries such as Britain, France and Germany, had to divert resources to war effort
- Countries bought much needed supplies from USA
- Money poured into USA for food, raw material and munitions
- Led to the growth of US industry and agriculture
8
Q
What were the effects of other countries borrowing huge sums of money from America?
A
- Many countries ended up borrowing huge sums of money from USA
- American bankers and businessmen increasingly invested in Europe and made money once these economies recovered in 1920
9
Q
How did exports benefit USA?
A
- During war, European countries unable to maintain pre-war exports
- US manufactures and farmers took over European overseas markets and further expanded
- War had also stimulated technological advancements, particularly in mechanisation as well as the development of new raw materials such as plastic
10
Q
Overall wealth in USA after war?
A
- without doubt, wealthy country
- especially in comparison to European counterparts which had been greatly affected by the war
11
Q
On the other hand …
What were problems with the economy?
A
- Wealth in the USA was unevenly distributed and millions of Americans did not have a share in the nations prosperity
- Many industrial workers were at the mercy of large business corporations - refused to negotiate rights over working hours, rates of pay + forced to live in slum housing
- Small farmers faced financial difficulties struggling to compete with larger enterprises and competition overseas.
12
Q
How was American society by the 1920s?
- in terms of imigration
A
- Diverse and multicultural
- At its core the original WASP settlers but later joined by Germans, Poles, Italians, Chinese etc who came in search for the ‘American Dream’
- Immigrants experienced poverty and exploitation
- aggravated racial tension in America
- USA remained divided and unequal society
- AA second class citizens due to discrimination, segregation and intimidation
- NA lost land + now lived on reservations
13
Q
What was American Politics like in the 1920s?
A
- some expansion in role of gov and president with progressive era
- Role of both remained limited ad many Americans championed a laissez-faire society
- World affairs moved from isolationism to involvement in WW1
- However, prevailing mood in USA by 1920 was for far less involvement, especially in Europe and return to isolation
