The Paris Peace Conference and Versailles Treaty Essay

Success or Failure At the end of World War I (WWI), as with most wars, it was necessary to hold a peace conference and due to the number of countries involved in the war, this task was extremely imposing. The desired conclusion of this conference was world peace, but with approximately 75% of the world nations represented and each country having it’s own agenda, the search for peace was elusive because of a desire for vengeance. This vengeance may have set the stage for World War II. On January 12th, 1919, the Paris Peace Conference (PPC) opened at several different venues, in and around Paris, France, but was moved to the Versailles Palace because of the number of attendees. As many as 32 World Leaders were represented at the†¦show more content†¦The total deaths of all nations, civilian and soldier deaths, who fought in WWI, are thought to be well over 8.5 million deaths and 21 million being wounded. The desire of revenge against Germany and the countries that fought with them, re sonated through out the conference. In secret treaties, held prior to the end of the war, the PPC outcome had basically already been decided. Europe was determined to make Germany pay and the actual treaty, in essence, was victory-with-vengeance. Woodrow Wilson brought his Fourteen Points document to the peace table hoping to change the way of thinking in Europe, but he was up against centuries of inbred infighting. Wilson’s Fourteen Points, which included the following four; 1) no more secret treaties 2) countries must seek to reduce their weapons and their armed forces 3) national self-determination should allow people of the same nationality to govern themselves and one nationality should not have the power to govern another 4) all countries should belong to the League of Nations was reduced to â€Å"One Point†, and this point was the establishment of the League of Nations, and even this was a hollow victory, as the American Congress would never allow the United States to be a member of the League. Also, secret treaties had been entered into before the PPC, the division of countryShow MoreRelatedThe Paris Peace Conference and the Treaty of Versailles1587 Words   |  7 Pageschaos. Consequently, post-war peace settlements were complicated, but were necessary in order to end the period of disorder. World War I concluded on November 1918, when Germany agreed to an armistice. 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