This 1 hour PowerPoint talk will explore the impact of both the Armistice and the Treaty of Versailles. At the conclusion of the First World War the world was a hopeful place—the "war to end all wars" was finally over. There was much to consider—the devastated landscapes, lives, and economies of European nations were just the start. Memorials and epic graveyards went up in an attempt to dignify and remember all those who perished. Poetry and artwork from the period struggled to find meaning in what seemed like a meaningless slaughter. Woodrow Wilson’s crusade to ‘make the world safe for democracy’ will be examined and discussed. Finally, the extremely biased conditions of the Treaty of Versailles resulted in the seeds of discontent that would ultimately culminate in the birth of fascism—it would take yet another world war to rectify the problems that resulted from end of the Great War.

This program is free but please register at cotuitlibrary.org/events or contact the Library.