Tying Up the Loose Ends of National Self-Determination: British, French and American Experts in Peace Planning, 1917−1919

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article examines Allied peace planning during the latter stages of the First World War by comparing and connecting the British, French, and American expert groups. These academic experts were expected to apply the publicly announced programme of national self-determination to the local realities in Europe without losing sight of their governments’ geopolitical directives. Contacts and exchanges between the three groups, largely neglected in the literature, played a crucial role in shaping the experts’ work. At the same time, persisting national suspicion and the fragile institutional position of the experts prevented open debate on the precise meaning of national self-determination and thereby forestalled the development of a coherent Allied peace programme. This shortcoming would become a serious burden for the negotiations at the Paris Peace Conference and the early interwar period, in that it led to growing frustration and undermined Allied commitment to the Paris peace treaties.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)727-750
Number of pages24
JournalThe Historical Journal
Volume57
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Aug 2014

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Tying Up the Loose Ends of National Self-Determination: British, French and American Experts in Peace Planning, 1917−1919'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this