The time period prior to World War 1 engaged Europe in a tense conflict amongst the central powers that

the result would undoubtedly substantially alter the entire continent. By the time 1914 came, the situation had boiled over to a point beyond democratic settlements. It was time for armed conflict, and that was exactly what occurred. Over the next four years, the European forces were engulfed in violent confrontations that left the participating nations without a young male population. By the end of the fighting, the significant loss of life was beyond anyones imagination. The economic and social problems left in the aftermath would arouse changes throughout the world. But no where, not even America would experience the same alterations as did Europe. America only participated in the final year and a half of the war and didnt experience the same loss of life or catastrophic violence as did Europe. The failure to experience the same changes left America without a perspective that was needed later on during negotiations, a fact that would prove very detrimental to the American cause. Following the war, the European victors had their hearts set on making the losing Germans take on full responsibility for the war. In essence, they believed by throwing them head first into the humiliation of defeat. By demoralizing them, similar problems wouldnt arise knowing the repercussions of failure. Wilson and America didnt feel as though this was the best way to go about solving these problems. Wilson believed that the only way to successfully prevent any future situations that would allow the conflicts between such powers to go without effective and efficient solutions to the problems before they turned to violence. However, Wilson didnt have the sway or power that he had hoped he would. Because the nation hadnt been involved earlier, America really was out of line to think they could institute the policy for reconstructing Europe. It was in this frame of mind that Wilson was forced to back off some of his ideas and adopt the policies of the European nations. When America was asked to ratify the treaty and join the League of Nations, the entire philosophy of Wilson was gone and the meaning of what he wanted non existent. Basically, the Europeans got their way and simply put Wilsons name on it. Other nations hadnt completely backed the treaty and the League of Nations. In fact, there was no military force to back up the ideals held by the League, giving it no reason to be listened to. The real effects that followed this treaty and the entire reconstruction process was the ill will that would be created in the upcoming years. Just as the hostilities that culminated in World War 1, the feelings of Germany would arouse a sense of retaliation and aggressive nature that would ultimately cause yet another great conflict-World War 2.