World War I ended on November 11, 1918 when Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allied Powers. The total number of civilian casualties was over 37 million. Appalled Western leaders, especially President Wilson, sought to prevent such a destructive war in the future. Wilson introduced such a safeguard in his 14 points speech.
Wilson's speech described an international body which would come to be known as the League of Nations (pictured above). The League was a composite of several other international bodies, like the Permanent Court of International Justice, the Disarmament Commission, The Health Organization, and the International Labor Organization. The goal was to provide a forum for cooperation on shared issues, but ultimately prevent the buildup of animosity that led to the World War I. America never joined The League, because conservatives in Congress argued that it would reduce America's ability to pursue its own interests. Although Europeans countries did join, it was unable to accomplish most of its goals. The League existed for 27 years, although for most of that period it was highly ineffective.