American History: In November 1918, a Truce in World War

03 November 2010

Americans at the peace conference, from left: Colonel Edward House, Secretary of State Robert Lansing, President Woodrow Wilson, Henry White and General Tasker Bliss

BOB DOUGHTY: Welcome to THE MAKING OF A NATION – American history in VOA Special English.

On November eleventh, nineteen eighteen, a truce was signed ending the hostilities of World War One. The Central Powers -- led by Germany -- had lost. The Allies -- led by Britain, France and the United States -- had won.

The war lasted four years. It took the lives of ten million people. It left much of Europe in ruins. It was described as "the war to end all wars."

This week in our series, Barbara Klein and Doug Johnson tell about President Woodrow Wilson and his part in events after the war.

BARBARA KLEIN: The immediate task was to seek agreement on terms of a peace treaty. The Allies were filled with bitter anger. They demanded a treaty that would punish Germany severely. They wanted to make Germany weak by destroying its military and industry. And they wanted to ruin Germany's economy by making it pay all war damages. Germany, they said, must never go to war again.

President Woodrow Wilson of the United States did not agree completely with the other Allies. He wanted a peace treaty based on justice, not bitterness. He believed that would produce a lasting peace.