Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, once stated, "The Americans who went to Europe to die are a unique breed.... (They) crossed the seas to a foreign land to fight for a cause which they did not pretend was peculiarly their own, which they knew was the cause of humanity and mankind. These Americans gave the greatest of all gifts, the gift of life and the gift of spirit" (Kelly). Wilson’s 14-point plan for the Treaty of Versailles was not considered because the French and English wanted Germany to be punished for the damage done to their countries and the people killed during the war in Europe from 1914 to 1918. France was infuriated because their country was destroyed as the war was fought in 460 miles of trenches dug into the countryside. In addition, England was furious that the Germans sank passenger and merchant ships killing innocent people. WWI led to over 9 million deaths. The Germans were forced to sign the Treaty of
…show more content…
Differences in foreign policies were to blame, although the immediate cause was the assassination of Austria’s Archduke Ferdinand”(James). Many countries had secret alliances resulting in the outbreak of war. After several years of fighting, a truce was finally achieved until a treaty could be written to officially end the war. Wilson’s 14-point plan for the Treaty of Versailles was not considered because the French and English wanted Germany to be penalized for the destruction done to their countries, and the people killed during the war in Europe. France was furious because their country was demolished as the war was fought on French soil. In addition, England was enraged the Germans sank passenger and merchant ships killing innocent people. WWI was fought by 30 countries and resulted in millions of deaths. Consequently, the Germans were forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 which led to multiple effects on the German nation and its
Differences in foreign policies were to blame, although the immediate cause was the assassination of Austria’s Archduke Ferdinand”(James). Many countries had secret alliances resulting in the outbreak of war. After several years of fighting, a truce was finally achieved until a treaty could be written to officially end the war. Wilson’s 14-point plan for the Treaty of Versailles was not considered because the French and English wanted Germany to be penalized for the destruction done to their countries, and the people killed during the war in Europe. France was furious because their country was demolished as the war was fought on French soil. In addition, England was enraged the Germans sank passenger and merchant ships killing innocent people. WWI was fought by 30 countries and resulted in millions of deaths. Consequently, the Germans were forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 which led to multiple effects on the German nation and its