Paris Peace Conference

Who The VICTORS met in Paris – January to June 1919 They determined the fate of the fallen Hundreds of delegates – but only three made the real decisions

The big Three America – Woodrow Wilson

The big Three Britain – David Lloyd George

The big Three France – George Clemenceau

Major Treaties discussed Treaty of Versailles – with Germany

Major Treaties discussed Treaty of St. Germain with Austria

Major Treaties discussed Various treaties were also signed with Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey (German allies)

Redrew Map of Europe

Europe 1914

Europe 1919

Central Europe 1919

Treaty of Versailles created, Poland, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary other states had major alterations to their borders. Russia was given back the land they signed away in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1917)

Treaty of Versailles - Problems 1. National Interests France would bear the burden of security on the continent wanted a weakened and smaller Germany – they wanted revenge sought control over the Saar coalfields for 15 years France wanted a new “buffer state” between itself and Germany, instead got the “demilitarized zone” of the Rhineland - still German territory Clemenceau accused Britain of wanting a strong Germany to balance against the French Britain and France both wanted to gain possession of German colonies (only victorious powers get Empires?)

Treaty of Versailles - Problems 2. Fear of the Spread of Communism Spartakist Uprising in Germany in January 1919 – fears that communism is spreading lead to the creation of Poland as a ‘buffer zone’

Treaty of Versailles - Problems 3. Self Determination German minorities transferred to other states i.e. Czechoslovakia, Poland ‘Anschluss’ – union with Austria – is forbidden what if the two countries wanted to join based on self determination?   How do you create countries with national ethnic uniqueness in the diverse regions of Central Europe?

Treaty of Versailles - Problems 4. Reparations War Guilt Article 231: That Germany and her no longer existent allies caused the war …The Allied and Associated Governments affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have been subjected to as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies SO… Article 232 – Germany should “make compensation for all damage done to the civilian population of the Allied and Associated Powers and to their property”

Treaty of Versailles - Problems 5. War Debts – Creditor and Debtor nations Who gets what from whom, and how is it to be financed?

Treaty of Versailles - Problems 6. American Involvement The Americans did not want to be part of other European conflicts USA didn’t sign any of the treaties at the end of WWI, thus not committed to enforce them quietly declared an end of hostilities with Germany four years later

Treaty of Versailles - Problems 6. American Involvement The Covenant of the League was included in all peace treaties, bonding the support of those countries that signed the treaties to the League USA Senate turned them down despite urgings of Wilson – why? USA wanted to be isolationist, didn’t want its actions to be limited by another state Result: USA NOT in the League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles - Problems 6. American Involvement USA insists allies repay their war loans when they ask loans be forgiven Britain and France then need to get the money from Germany in reparations