Presidents for Peace. Before Reading Poll. Printed by: Jessica Jimenez Printed on: March 29, 2017

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1 Printed by: Jessica Jimenez Printed on: March 29, 2017 Presidents for Peace Before Reading Poll President Woodrow Wilson did not win the Nobel Peace Prize for entering World War I, or for his initial opposition to it. Instead, he won for his diplomatic efforts to create a peaceful postwar world. What do you think? Diplomacy is the best way to solve international conflicts. Agree Disagree Explain why you voted the way you did.

2 Article PART 1 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Achieve3000, November 16, 2009). In 1895, Swedish inventor and pacifist Alfred Nobel set aside funding for the establishment of five annual prizes. One of these awards, the Nobel Peace Prize, was to go to "the person who shall have done the most or best work for [fellowship] between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and for the holding and promotion of a peace congress." The Nobel Peace Prize has gone to an individual, group, or organization nearly every year since Four of those honorees have been U.S. presidents. Theodore Roosevelt President Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for the actions he took to help broker a treaty that ended the Russo Japanese War. Russia and Japan had been at war since 1904 over control of territories in Asia. In August 1905, leaders from the two countries met at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. President Roosevelt and representatives AP Photo/John McConnico President Obama is one of four U.S. presidents to win the Nobel Peace Prize. from European nations joined them. With the U.S. president's help, the two nations agreed to the Treaty of Portsmouth. This agreement satisfied the demands of both nations. It helped bring a peaceful end to the conflict. Roosevelt's actions had a tremendous impact on international diplomacy. Though he felt that war was necessary as a means of defense, he believed that nations should maintain peace when possible. He advocated treaties between nations and the formation of an international organization to maintain peace. In Roosevelt's time, relations between nations were growing more complicated. His diplomacy at Portsmouth served as an example for leaders who came after him. Woodrow Wilson President Woodrow Wilson had just presided over America's involvement in World War I when he won the Nobel Peace Prize in Wilson had never intended for the U.S. to become entrenched in the war. But the U.S. had been provoked into it and at a great cost. Although the U.S. was involved only during the last two years of the war, 200,000 Americans died. Disgusted with the bloodshed of war, Wilson hoped to prevent future conflicts. In 1919, leaders met in Paris, France, to discuss a peace treaty. Wilson chaired a commission to create the League of Nations. This multi nation organization aimed to promote peace and security through negotiation and diplomacy. Wilson won the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to create the league. Although the league proved to have flaws (it was unable to prevent World War II), it paved the way for the formation of the United Nations. Jimmy Carter Former President Jimmy Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in By that time, he had already been working for peace for decades. In 1977, during his term as U.S. president, Carter helped negotiate an agreement between longtime enemies Egypt and Israel. This helped to ease a conflict over land. Even after his presidency, Carter did not waver in his commitment to peace. His Carter Center is an organization that works in countries around the world. It promotes fair elections, human rights, and other factors associated with peaceful societies. Carter himself has monitored more than 70 elections to ensure that they are carried out fairly. The Carter Center also works together with nations whose diplomatic relations have weakened or broken down. It was for his actions as the founder of the Carter Center that Jimmy Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize.

3 Barack Obama On December 10, 2009, President Barack Obama received the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Unlike previous Nobel Prizewinning presidents, Obama had not been in office for long when he became a Nobel winner. Therefore, he hadn't had much time to accomplish his goals. In announcing its choice, however, the Nobel Committee stated that it honors not only specific accomplishments, but also approaches and objectives. The Nobel Committee stated that President Obama had created a "new climate in international politics." The committee cited his efforts to encourage international diplomacy and cooperation. It also stated that Obama prefers discussion as a tool for resolving conflicts. Obama has sought to improve America's relations with Russia, China, and various nations in the Middle East. The president visits these nations and holds talks with leaders. Still, President Obama did not expect to be awarded with the Peace Prize. He said the honor would inspire him to continue his approach, seeking the cooperation of other nations and working with the nations to endeavor to reach common goals. "I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the challenges of the 21st century," the president said. "These challenges cannot be met by any one leader or any one nation. That's why my administration wants to establish a new era of engagement in which all nations must take responsibility for the world we seek." As long as people continue to strive for peaceful solutions, the Nobel Committee will continue to honor their efforts. The Associated Press contributed to this story. PART 2 Dig Deeper While European countries became involved in World War I due to political and territorial disputes among the nations, these conflicts did not involve the United States. When war broke out in 1914, the U.S. hoped to remain neutral, but German submarine activity in the North Atlantic put Americans in danger. Most famously, in 1915, a German submarine sank a British ocean liner called the Lusitania. The 128 American travelers on board were killed. In April 1917, the U.S. declared war on Germany. President Woodrow Wilson did not win the Nobel Peace Prize for entering the war or for his initial opposition to it. Instead, he won for his efforts to create a peaceful postwar world. In January 1918, Wilson laid out his Fourteen Points. This plan for world peace addressed what Wilson and his advisors felt were the causes of the war. The plan called for the end of secret treaties, a reduction in armaments, less imperialism, and freedom to travel the seas. Another point included a proposal for the creation of an international organization called the League of Nations that would ensure security for all nations. By the fall of 1918, Germany had little hope for victory and agreed to negotiate an armistice. When the nations met, Wilson hoped that his Fourteen Points would be in the treaty. France and Britain, however, were dissatisfied with the Fourteen Points. They felt that Germany should be punished, and so most of the plan did not make it into the Treaty of Versailles. One part of Wilson's plan that was fulfilled was the creation of the League of Nations. However, the U.S. never joined the League. While Wilson and most Americans supported the idea, many in Congress felt it could result in further American involvement in thorny international affairs. The U.S. also failed to pass the Treaty of Versailles, despite Wilson's support for it. Because of Wilson's failures, some members of the Nobel Committee were unsure about whether he deserved the Peace Prize. Still, Wilson had good ideas about how to create a peaceful world a majority of the committee members voted for him to get the award. Dictionary

4 abolition (noun) the outlaw or formal end of something armistice (noun) a deal to stop fighting and talk about peace diplomacy (noun) the act of conducting formal discussions, meetings, or other relations between parties from different countries entrenched (adjective) solidly and firmly established imperialism (noun) a practice of trying to dominate or control other countries; an extending of power negotiation (noun) the act of making a deal or an agreement pacifist (noun) a person who does not believe in war or violence as a way of solving a problem

5 Activity PART 1 Question 1 In what way are President Roosevelt and President Carter similar? President Roosevelt and President Carter both said they were provoked into entering into war. President Roosevelt and President Carter both monitored elections in other countries to ensure that they were fair. President Roosevelt and President Carter both helped to ease conflicts between other countries. President Roosevelt and President Carter both won the Nobel Peace Prize even though they had not been in office long. Question 2 What is this article mainly about? Five annual prizes established thanks to funding provided by Alfred Nobel President Roosevelt's role in brokering a treaty that ended the Russo Japanese War President Obama's reaction to receiving the Nobel Peace Prize Four U.S. presidents who won the Nobel Peace Prize Question 3 Which is the closest antonym for the word abolition? Establishment Unison Tactic Destruction Question 4 Which of these is a statement of opinion? President Barack Obama is the latest U.S. president to win the Nobel Peace Prize. A Swedish inventor set aside funding for the establishment of five annual prizes. The person who is most deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize is Alfred Nobel himself. Jimmy Carter helped negotiate an agreement between Egypt and Israel in Question 5

6 Which information is not in the article? The name of the person who provided the funding to establish the Nobel Peace Prize The nations that participated in the Treaty of Portsmouth The event that provoked the U.S. to enter World War I The reason that the Nobel Committee gave President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize Question 6 The article states: He said the honor would inspire him to continue his approach, seeking the cooperation of other nations and working with the nations to endeavor to reach common goals. Which would be the closest synonym for the word endeavor? Vow Cease Strive Decline Question 7 The news article says all of the following except. The formation of the United Nations paved the way for the League of Nations. The Treaty of Portsmouth satisfied the demands of both Russia and Japan. President Obama did not expect to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. President Carter founded an organization that promotes fair elections and human rights. Question 8 What cause and effect relationship is described in this article? President Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize because he sought to improve America's relations with Russia and China. President Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize because he helped broker a treaty that ended the Russo Japanese War. President Wilson traveled to France in order to monitor an election to ensure that it was carried out fairly. President Obama traveled to New Hampshire in order to help negotiate the Treaty of Portsmouth.

7 Thought Question What is the author's purpose for writing each of the articles in this lesson? Which details helped you to identify the author's purpose? Support your response with information from the lesson. Type your answer in the text box below.