When the United States entered World War I in 1917, the conflict had become a deadly stalemate. Hoping to end the conflict before the Americans could make a difference, Germany renewed unrestricted submarine warfare. British and American convoys provided mutua. salety by sending warships to protect the merchant ships, As a result, shipping losses from U-boat attacks fell sharply.
In November 1917, radical communists led by Vladimir Lenin gained control of Russia. Fighting stopped between Russia and Germany, which allowed Germany to launch an all-out offensive on the Western Front. American troops under the command of John J.
Pershing helped stop the German offensive and launch successful counteroffensives. On November 11, 1918, Germany surrendered, officially ending World War I
In what became known as the Fourteen Points, President Woodrow Wilson promoted openness, encouraged independence, and supported freedom. Wilson also advocated self-determination, or the right of people to choose their own form of goverment.
Finally, he asked for a League of Nations, a world organization where countries could gather and peacefully resolve their quarrels.
In 1919, the victorious Allies held a peace conference in France.
Although Wilson's hope for the League of Nations was fulfilled, the vanious peace treaties created almost as many problems as they solved. The other Allied leaders insisted that Germany make reparations, or payment for war damages. When the map of Europe was redrawn, national self-determination was violated many times.
In the United States, many people opposed the treety. A handful of senators known as the "irreconcilables" believed that the United States should not get entangled in world organizations such as the League of Nations. A larger group of smators, led by Henry Cabot Lodge and known as the "reservationists, was opposed to the treaty as it was watten. Wilson and his opponents refused to put aside their differences and cumpromise, and the Senate did not ratify the treaty. Without full
American support, the League of Nations
proved unable to maintain peace among nations.
Review Questions
1. Describe the airs of the Fourteen Points.
2. How did convoys contribute to the success of the Allies?
1. The Fourteen Points were a set of principles outlined by President Woodrow Wilson to promote peace and stability in the aftermath of World War I. They promoted openness, independence, freedom, self-determination, and the establishment of a League of Nations.
2. Convoys contributed to the success of the Allies during World War I by providing mutual safety for merchant ships. By sending warships to protect the merchant ships from German U-boat attacks, shipping losses fell sharply, allowing for continued support and supplies to reach the Allies. This helped to weaken the German war effort and ultimately led to their surrender in 1918.