-Treaty of Versailles

One of the most significant pieces of writing of the 20th century, this treaty formalized the end of the First World War and created the tense political environment that would lead to the Second World War. This copy of the treaty belonged to a member of the U.S. diplomatic envoy that traveled to France to participate in negotiations. While the U.S. never ratified the Treaty of Versailles, President Woodrow Wilson and American diplomats had a significant influence on its creation. While the text of the treaty is widely available, this artifact shows how individual diplomats can shape the course of history on an international scale.