Venn diagram worksheet comparing Wilson's Fourteen Points and the Treaty of Versailles.

To solve this problem, we need to compare Wilson’s Fourteen Points (the U.S. plan for peace after WWI) with the Treaty of Versailles (the actual treaty signed in 1919). We’ll use a Venn diagram: one circle for Wilson’s Points, one for the Treaty, and the middle for what they have in common (“Both”).

Let’s go step by step.

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Step 1: Understand Wilson’s Fourteen Points

These were President Woodrow Wilson’s ideas for lasting peace. Key points include:
- No secret treaties
- Freedom of the seas
- Remove economic barriers (free trade)
- Reduce arms
- Self-determination for nations (let people choose their own government)
- Create a League of Nations to prevent future wars

→ These are idealistic, focused on fairness and preventing war through cooperation.

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Step 2: Understand the Treaty of Versailles

This was the actual peace treaty imposed on Germany. Key features:
- Germany had to accept blame for starting WWI (“war guilt clause”)
- Pay huge reparations (money) to Allies
- Lose territory (like Alsace-Lorraine to France, colonies taken away)
- Military restrictions (small army, no submarines or air force)
- Also created the League of Nations — but it was weak and didn’t include the U.S.

→ This treaty was harsh on Germany, more about punishment than fairness.

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Step 3: Find What’s in “Both” (Overlap)

What did Wilson want AND what actually happened?

✔ League of Nations – Wilson proposed it; it was included in the Treaty.
✔ Some territorial changes based on self-determination – e.g., Poland got independence, some new countries formed from old empires (though not always fairly applied).
✔ End of secret diplomacy? – Not really enforced, but the idea was there.
✔ Reduction of arms? – Only for Germany, not globally as Wilson wanted.

So best overlap items:
- Creation of the League of Nations
- Some nation-building/self-determination (limited)
- End of certain imperial holdings (colonies redistributed under League mandates)

But note: The Treaty mostly ignored Wilson’s ideals like free trade, freedom of seas, and fair treatment for all nations.

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Step 4: Fill in “Wilson’s 14 Points” only (left circle)

Things Wilson wanted that DIDN’T happen in the Treaty:

- Free trade / remove economic barriers → Treaty kept tariffs and punished Germany economically.
- Freedom of the seas → Britain refused to give up naval blockade rights.
- Equal access to raw materials → Not addressed.
- Impartial adjustment of colonial claims → Colonies were just taken by victors.
- General reduction of armaments → Only Germany disarmed; others didn’t.
- No annexations or indemnities → Treaty forced Germany to pay massive reparations.
- Self-determination for ALL peoples → Applied selectively (e.g., ignored in Africa, Asia, and even parts of Europe).

→ So left circle gets: Free trade, freedom of seas, global disarmament, fair colonial adjustments, no reparations, full self-determination.

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Step 5: Fill in “Treaty of Versailles” only (right circle)

Things in the Treaty that Wilson DIDN’T want or weren’t in his plan:

- War guilt clause (Article 231) – blaming Germany alone
- Massive reparations payments
- Harsh military restrictions on Germany only
- Loss of German territory and colonies without consent
- Punitive tone – revenge rather than reconciliation
- Did NOT get U.S. Senate approval → U.S. never joined League of Nations!

→ Right circle gets: War guilt, reparations, unilateral disarmament of Germany, territorial losses for Germany, punitive measures, U.S. non-participation.

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Final Check:

Make sure nothing is double-counted. Overlap should be ONLY things both share.

✔️ League of Nations = Both
✔️ Some self-determination (Poland, Czechoslovakia, etc.) = Both
✔️ End of some empires (Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian) = Both (though messy)

Left circle (Wilson only): Idealistic goals not implemented
Right circle (Treaty only): Punitive, realist policies Wilson opposed

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Final Answer:

Wilson’s 14 Points (Left Circle):
- Free trade and removal of economic barriers
- Freedom of the seas
- Global reduction of armaments
- Fair and impartial handling of colonial claims
- No reparations or punishments
- Full self-determination for all peoples
- Open diplomacy (no secret treaties)

Both (Middle Overlap):
- Creation of the League of Nations
- Some application of self-determination (e.g., Poland, Baltic states)
- Dissolution of empires (Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman) leading to new nations
- End of some secret alliances (in theory)

Treaty of Versailles (Right Circle):
- War guilt clause (blaming Germany)
- Heavy reparations demanded from Germany
- Severe military restrictions on Germany only
- Loss of German territory and overseas colonies
- Punitive approach toward defeated powers
- United States did not ratify treaty or join League of Nations