World War I “The Great War” --the war to end all wars-- 1914-1918 Treaty of Versailles Level 2
Essential Question How did the Treaty of Versailles impact Europe
The Human Cost of the War
The Treaty of Versailles Following the end of the fighting, the victorious Allies (US, England, France, Italy, & Japan) help a conference to agree on the peace terms of the Germans and their allies. Germany & their allies were not invited. The main question was how the losers should be punished and how war in the future could be averted.
The Treaty of Versailles Issues War Guilt: Who is to blame for WWI? Reparations: Who should pay for the damages of the war? German Military: Should they still have one? German Colonies: What should happen to them? Rhineland: Who should get it? Alsace & Lorraine: Who should get the territories? League of Nations: Should there be one?
The Big Three In November 1918 Germany surrenders to the Allied countries. The most powerful ones, being France, USA and Britain, wanted to create a treaty that clearly explained what Germany would now have to do David Lloyd George Great Britian Woodrow Wilson USA Georges Clemenceau France
The British Prime Minister thought that if the Treaty was too harsh, then Germany might one day start another war. Some British people blamed Germany for the war and wanted revenge BRITAIN 750,000 men died Spent nearly $8 billion of which $1 billion was borrowed from the USA
USA USA’s homeland was never attacked They joined in 1917 and lost 113,000 men. USA USA wanted a ‘softer’ treaty because they thought Germany was important for the future... USA’s homeland was never attacked The U.S. did not join the League of Nations for fear of being drawn into more wars. This also means the U.S. did not sign the Treaty of Versailles.
Most of the fighting took place in Northern France. Germany stole 90% of France’s coal and iron in 1914 FRANCE 1,250,000 men died Many roads and factories had been destroyed
WHAT DID THE TREATY ACCOMPLISH? LEAGUE OF NATIONS This organization of nations would cooperate to keep peace. PAY COMPENSATION This was known as reparations. Germany had to pay $33 billion dollars. GERMANY’S EMPIRE All of Germany’s colonies were taken away and given away to the Allied countries. Treaty of Versailles MASSIVE ARMY CUTS The Army was cut to just 100,000 men, the Navy could only have 6 battleships, and they were not allowed to build any new planes, tanks, or submarines. GERMAN LAND GIVEN AWAY Germany lost land to France, Poland, Belgium, and Denmark. An area of Germany was even separated from the mainland.
Europe before the War
Europe after the War