Treaty of Versialles and its Consequences

During this last quarter I have learned many important things. However, the most important topic that I have studied this quarter was on the the ending of World War One with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. This was probably the most important because of the consequences of the treaty.

The Treaty of Versailles was the treaty that ended World War One. It was signed by the "Big Four: Woodrow Wilson of the United States, David Loyd George of Britain, Georges Clemenceau of France, and Vittorio Orlando of Italy" (Davidson Dr. James West, Stoff 706). The treaty put Germany under very harsh terms, and was essentially punishing Germany for the war (Davidson Dr. James West, Stoff 706).

"Germany, which had not even been allowed to send delegates to the peace talks, was shocked by the terms of the treaty" (Davidosn Dr. James West, Stoff 706). The treaty made Germany pay for the losses of the war. Germany was also required to have a limited military to ensure that it wouldn't go to war with any other nations (Davidson Dr. James West, Stoff 706). This would also prevent them from expanding and becoming a major power.

The Treaty of Versailles was one of the major factors that caused World War Two. Hitler used the feelings of resentment that the German people had toward the Treaty of Versailles to begin the Nazi party (Davidson Dr. James West, Stoff 775). World War Two soon broke out after this.

The Treaty of Versailles was the most important thing that I learned about this quarter because the treaty was one of the factors that caused World War Two. I find this important because we can learn from the mistakes of the past and adress certain matters using different methods that would prevent wars from happening.

Davidaon Dr. James West, Michael B. Stoff. The American Nation. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey; Pearson Prentice Hall, 2003.

Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles was signed after WWI at the Versailles Palace. The leaders of the major countries that were involved in the signing were called the Big Four. It is widely believed by many historians that the Treaty of Versailles was what allowed WWII to take place.

The Big Four were David Lloyd George from Britain, George Clemenceau from France, Woodrow Wilson from America and Vittorio Orlando from Italy. They helped make the treaty to make peace by punishing Germany and by setting up the League of Nations. The treaty was signed at Versailles and put in place certain terms that were supposed to keep to keep Germany from being able to make war.

Germany was by no means pleased the treaty. The treaty took away Germany's military power, which was a blow to the country's pride. When some thing like this is taken away from a country they will automatically want to rebel. "Had we known how bad things were in Germany, we might have got stiffer terms:" Great Britain and the German Armistice." (Book Source).

"The Treaty of Versailles created a political climate in Germany in which the right put all the blame on everything that went sour, onto the Treaty and the lost war. And that created this climate in which many people then began to think one had to fight the war once again." (Source).
Although the Treaty of Versailles is known to be "the Treaty that ended World War I," (Book Source), it is believed that this treaty is what allowed World War II to take place. I think that this is a reasonable conclusion to come to because when something valued by a nation or people is taken away the people or nation would want revenge.


The Treaty of Versailles is known as "the Treaty that ended World War I" (Book Source). The irony in this is that the treaty is what allowed the second World War to take place.

Pandemic of 1918

The pandemic of 1918 or the Spanish flu lasted from 1918 to 1919. More people were killed by the pandemic than in WWI.

It wasn't until the autumn of 1918 that people began to pay attention to the strange disease (book source)
that would end up killing fifty million people worldwide. The disease was first recorded to be in Nuremberg in Franconia. However, the seriousness of the disease was not given to the public. (book source).

The disease was most fatal to people between twenty and fifty years old. The symptoms of the disease were fever nausea, aches and diarrhea. "Many developed severe pneumonia attack. Dark spots would appear on the cheeks and patients would turn blue, suffocating from a lack of oxygen as lungs filled with a frothy, bloody substance." Source. Nothing this deadly had been seen since the black death in the Middle Ages.

The Spanish influenza received its name from the amount of people who died from it in Spain. This pandemic actually began in the United States. It began to be noticed military camps in the US during WWI. One fifth of the world had suffered from the pandemic. Eve the US president Woodrow Wilson caught the Spanish influenza as well.

The Spanish influenza of 1918 killed more people than WWI, which killed around sixteen million people. This pandemic ended up killing fifty million people worldwide.

The Panama Canal

The Panama Canal was a project that was started by the French. This project was later finished by the Americans.

The plans for the Panama Canal were first created by King Charles V in 1539. However, the plan did not become possible until the Panama railway would be constructed. "The Panama Canal was constructed in two stages." (Source). Ferdinan de Lesseps, who had constructed the Suez Canal, was the first to attempt building the Panama Canal.

The French began building the Panama Canal in the 1800s. However, this project had to be stopped due to disease, engineering problems and lack of money. The project for the canal was taken up again by America in 1904.

Before the U.S. decided to build the canal in Panama, they considered building it in Nicaragua. However, when a volcano erupted in that area and destroyed a city, they decided to build it in Panama. The Panama canal would be a great benefit to the U.S. navy. Book source. However, the sanitation issues were still a problem and there were still the mosquitoes that were infected with yellow fever and malaria. Book Source. "The Panama Canal opened to oceangoing vessels on Aug. 15, 1914." (Source).

The Panama Canal was a project that was started by the French, but they had to stop construction due to disease, engineering problems and lack of money. This project was later finished by the U.S. in 1914.

Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt became president after the the former president, William McKinley was shot. During his presidency, Roosevelt made many accomplishments.

President Theodore Roosevelt became president on Saturday September 14, 1901, in Buffalo, New York, at 3:32pm. Book Source. "The oath of office was administered by Judge John R. Hazel, of the United States District Court." (Book Source). When Roosevelt was sworn in, he vowed to keep the former president, McKinley's policies. Book source.

During his presidency, Roosevelt began the construction of the Panama Canal. The canal was originally going to be built in Nicaragua or Panama. Although President Roosevelt supported the plan to built the canal in Panama Congress debated the plan and it appeared that the canal would be built in Nicaragua. However, the plan changed when a volcano became active in Nicaragua, it was decided that the canal would be built in Panama.

He was also known as the trust buster for supporting the break down of the trust businesses that would cheat people by putting higher prices on things and refusing them trade.

Theodore Roosevelt also won the Nobel Peace Prize for putting an end to the Russo-Japanese War. " Lasting from February 1904 until the signing of a peace treaty in early September 1905, was arguably the first modern war." (Source). In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt was the first American president to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

President Theodore Roosevelt was a remarkable president. during his time in office he began the construction of the Panama Canal and became the first president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Spanish-American War

The Spanish American War took place in 1898. The war was fought between America and Spain and was over Cuba's independence Book Source.

Cuba was under the control of the Spanish and fought for independence in the Ten Years' War from 1868 to 1878. They received support from many Americans who sent them money and weapons. The Ten Years' War ended when the Spanish guaranteed better living conditions to the Cubans. However, the Spanish only increased persecution by arresting, killing and even exiling the Cuban people for their ideas. The Cubans who were exiled rallied together to create the Cuban Revolutionary Party. The war between Spain and Cuba became a problem for the U.S. because of Cuba's close proximity to the U.S. There were also U.S. citizens living in Cuba. Book Source.

The Spanish-American War was lit by the destruction of of the battleship Maine on February 15, 1898. Although there was an investigation no one knew for sure who or what caused the explosion. The media, however, blamed the Spanish. The American people were soon convinced that the Maine should be avenged. "Soon a rallying cry could be heard everywhere -- in the papers, on the streets, and in the halls of Congress: "Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain." (Source).

America went to war with Spain in 1898. The war between the two nations only lasted for four months. President McKinley believed that "Cuba ought to be free and independent, and the government should be turned over to the Cuban people."source. In 1897 Theodore Roosevelt, who served in the navy during the war, said, "I should welcome almost any war, for I think this country needs one." Source. The war ended on February 6, 1899.

The Spanish American War took place in 1898. This war was fought between America and Spain for the Cuba's independence. The war only lasted for four months and ended on February 6, 1899.

Theodore Roosevelt

President Theodore Roosevelt was America's youngest president. Roosevelt had three siblings, and was the son of a rich banker.

Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858 in New York. His mother was Martha Bullock Roosevelt and his father was Theodore Roosevelt Sr., who was a rich banker. At a young age Theodore suffered from asthma and was nearsighted. He was schooled at home. Even though he had bad eyesight he loved to read. He also enjoyed camping and hunting.


In 1876, Theodore Roosevelt went to Harvard. After he graduated from Harvard he entered into Columbia Law School. A year later, Theodore left the school and started his political career.


In 1889 President Harrison made Roosevelt a member of the Civil Service Commission. Roosevelt joined President McKinley's administration in 1897 as the assistant secretary of the Navy. In 1898, Roosevelt became Lieutenant-Colonel of the first US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. After serving in the Spanish American War, he ran for governor of New York in 1898, and later became president when the conservative republicans voted him to be vice president in 1900. President McKinley was assassinated a year later when Leon Czolgosz shot him twice book source. Roosevelt then became the United States' twenty sixth president on Saturday September 14, 1901 at 3:32pm Book source.


Despite the fact that Theodore Roosevelt had asthma and poor eye site from a young age, he went on to serve in politics and serve in the cavalry in the Spanish American War. He finally became the president of America in 1901.