Question | Answer |
Treaty of Versailles (Background information) | - 32 Nations assembled in January 1919 at Versailles, Paris (France) - It was signed on 28th June 1919. -It was controlled by the 'Big Three': Georges Clemenceau (France), David Lloyd George (Great Britain) and Woodrow Wilson (USA). -It was to decide what to do with Germany and post war Europe. |
Georges Clemenceau - France | -As most of the war took place in France - 2nd time in 50 years. Farming land devastated (area size of Belgium 500,000 homes destroyed, 4,000 villages wasted, 20,000 + factories ruined - blamed Germany for everything. -He wanted Alsace-Lorraine back -He wanted future French security and ‘justices / revenge (revanchist) Germany must be permanently weakened. |
David Lloyd George - Great Britain | -GB 1 million casualties - but no serious damage at home. They were heavily in debt - wanted compensation (reparations) - He wanted to weaken their power by taking away their navy and its colonies. - However, he did not want to punish Germany too harshly as he wanted to trade with Germany. Worried a weak Germany May turn to communism. ‘Just but fair peace’ |
Woodrow Wilson - USA | - War not on US soil, limited casualties (117,000) Only Joined early 1917. -He wanted a safer world for democracy, 'lasting-peace' and self-determination. - Wanted the 14 points, especially a League of Nations. |
Financial Terms | -Reparations - Germany had to pay Reparations commission said £6.6 billion in 1921. - Saar coalmines to be exploited by France for 15 years |
Military Terms | - No General staff -No tanks, aircraft, submarine or conscription -only 6 battleships - 100,000 soldiers, no conscription -Rhineland had to be demilitarised |
It was justifiable/fair | -Lands went back to original owners (e.g Alsace-Lorraine) -Many wanted harsher punishments -Germany would have imposed a harsh treaty had they won. (Evidence - Treaty of Brest-Litovsk) |
It was unjustifiable/unfair | - army too small for such a big country (left vulnerable to attack) -The loss of their industries and lands affected them a lot economically - Lack of self-determination (a key principle) |
General terms | War Guilt Clause (231) Not permitted to join the league of Nations |
Territorial terms | Return of Alsace Lorraine to France Overseas colonies to be mandated by Britain and France West Prussia to be given to Poland for access to the sea |
Financial Consequences | Lost 10% of their land, 12.5% of their population, 16% of their coalfields and half of their steel and Iron industries. Reparations added to inflationary pressures - later blamed for hyper inflation of 1922-23 |
Problems / dilemmas | What’s a life worth? Conflicting aims. Is self-determination really possible? ‘How to make peace in an atmosphere of simmering hate’? |
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