Treaty of Versailles 1919 An Uneasy Peace

The Architects of the Treaty The Treaty of Versailles was put together at the Paris Peace Conference starting in January The main signatories of the treaty were Britain (David Lloyd George) the USA (Woodrow Wilson), France (Georges Clemenceau) and Italy (Vittorio Orlando). The Treaty of Versailles was put together at the Paris Peace Conference starting in January The main signatories of the treaty were Britain (David Lloyd George) the USA (Woodrow Wilson), France (Georges Clemenceau) and Italy (Vittorio Orlando). These leaders were known as the 'Big Four' and met to decide the fate of Germany after the First World War. These leaders were known as the 'Big Four' and met to decide the fate of Germany after the First World War.

Perspectives of the Big Four Many in Britain (having seen their husbands, sons and friends killed in the war) were eager for revenge. A popular saying was "Squeeze them until the pips squeak". Many in Britain (having seen their husbands, sons and friends killed in the war) were eager for revenge. A popular saying was "Squeeze them until the pips squeak". Clemenceau was nicknamed "The Tiger". He wanted to make Germany pay for all the damage that France suffered during the years of fighting. Clemenceau was nicknamed "The Tiger". He wanted to make Germany pay for all the damage that France suffered during the years of fighting. The USA had only declared war in April 1917 and thus experienced far fewer casualties herself. These were his plans to ensure future peace in Europe. The USA had only declared war in April 1917 and thus experienced far fewer casualties herself. These were his plans to ensure future peace in Europe. Italy had declared war on Germany in 1915, changing sides from her alliance with Germany at the beginning of the war. Italy had been promised territory as a reward for changing sides. Italy had declared war on Germany in 1915, changing sides from her alliance with Germany at the beginning of the war. Italy had been promised territory as a reward for changing sides. Information retrieved from Information retrieved from

Wilson’s 14 Points Open Diplomacy - There should be no secret treaties between powers Open Diplomacy - There should be no secret treaties between powers Freedom of Navigation - Seas should be free in both peace and war Freedom of Navigation - Seas should be free in both peace and war Free Trade - The barriers to trade between countries such as custom duties should be removed Free Trade - The barriers to trade between countries such as custom duties should be removed Multilateral Disarmament - All countries should reduce their armed forces to the lowest possible levels Multilateral Disarmament - All countries should reduce their armed forces to the lowest possible levels Colonies - People in European colonies should have a say in their future Colonies - People in European colonies should have a say in their future

Wilson’s 14 Points Russia - Russia should be allowed to operate whatever government it wanted and that government should be accepted, supported and welcomed. Russia - Russia should be allowed to operate whatever government it wanted and that government should be accepted, supported and welcomed. Belgium - Belgium should be evacuated and restored to the situation before the war. France - should have Alsace- Lorraine and any lands taken away during the war restored. Belgium - Belgium should be evacuated and restored to the situation before the war. France - should have Alsace- Lorraine and any lands taken away during the war restored. Italy - The Italian border should be readjusted according to nationality Italy - The Italian border should be readjusted according to nationality National Self -Determination - The national groups in Europe should, wherever possible, be given their independence. National Self -Determination - The national groups in Europe should, wherever possible, be given their independence. Romania, Montenegro and Serbia - Should be evacuated and Serbia should have an outlet to the sea Romania, Montenegro and Serbia - Should be evacuated and Serbia should have an outlet to the sea

Turkey - The people of Turkey should have a say in their future Turkey - The people of Turkey should have a say in their future Poland - Poland should become an independent state with an outlet to the sea. Poland - Poland should become an independent state with an outlet to the sea. League of Nations - An assembly of all nations should be formed to protect world peace in the future. League of Nations - An assembly of all nations should be formed to protect world peace in the future.

The Treaty: Germany had to pay Germany had to give up captured territory to France – most notably, Alsace-Lorraine and the coal mines in the Saar area. Germany had to give up captured territory to France – most notably, Alsace-Lorraine and the coal mines in the Saar area. All German properties in foreign control were lost. All German properties in foreign control were lost. Germany had controls on the size of their army - disarmament. Germany had controls on the size of their army - disarmament. Army - was to be reduced to 100,000 men and no tanks were allowed Navy - Germany was only allowed 6 ships and no submarines Airforce - Germany was not allowed an airforce Rhineland - The Rhineland area was to be kept free of German military personnel and weapons Army - was to be reduced to 100,000 men and no tanks were allowed Navy - Germany was only allowed 6 ships and no submarines Airforce - Germany was not allowed an airforce Rhineland - The Rhineland area was to be kept free of German military personnel and weapons Germany, Turkey, and Austria had to give up their colonial holdings. Germany, Turkey, and Austria had to give up their colonial holdings. Germany had to pay 20 billion gold marks in reparations (£6.6 billion) Germany had to pay 20 billion gold marks in reparations (£6.6 billion) The League of Nations was established, but Germany was not to be a member. The League of Nations was established, but Germany was not to be a member.

Land - Germany lost land to a number of other countries. Alsace- Lorraine was returned to France, Eupen and Malmedy were given to Belgium, North Schleswig was given to Denmark. Land was also taken from Germany and given to Czechoslovakia and Poland. The League of Nations took control of Germany's colonies

The effect of the Treaty of Versailles None of the big three (USA, Britain, and France were completely satisfied.) None of the big three (USA, Britain, and France were completely satisfied.) Germany was humiliated by signing the War Guilt Clause. Germany was humiliated by signing the War Guilt Clause. Although the money Germany had to be paid back was forgiven in 1932, the economy and value of currency in Germany was destroyed. Although the money Germany had to be paid back was forgiven in 1932, the economy and value of currency in Germany was destroyed. There was political strife as a result of the treaty. The communists were trying to gain power, opposing other parties. This opening presented an opportunity for Hitler to assume power. There was political strife as a result of the treaty. The communists were trying to gain power, opposing other parties. This opening presented an opportunity for Hitler to assume power. The treaty was not able to slow the rise of the German military. It cornered Germany and made war inevitable. The treaty was not able to slow the rise of the German military. It cornered Germany and made war inevitable.

national interest economic prosperity — This includes stable employment and a decent standard of living. economic prosperity — This includes stable employment and a decent standard of living. security and safety — Measures to maintain national security and physical protection include laws that protect citizens within the country, as well as secure borders that can be defended against intruders. security and safety — Measures to maintain national security and physical protection include laws that protect citizens within the country, as well as secure borders that can be defended against intruders. beliefs and values — These include affirming and promoting citizens’ values, beliefs, and culture. beliefs and values — These include affirming and promoting citizens’ values, beliefs, and culture. How did the Treaty of Versailles accomplish these aspects of National Interest How did the Treaty of Versailles accomplish these aspects of National Interest