Paris Peace Conference January 18 – June 28, 1919 Treaty of Versailles Paris Peace Conference January 18 – June 28, 1919

The Treaty Of Versailles On 28 June 1919, the victors met at the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, near Paris, and forced two Germans to agree to the terms of peace. Germany and its allies were not allowed to send any delegates, and had no choice but to accept whatever was decided. The first 26 Articles of the Treaty set out the Covenant of the League of Nations; the rest of the 440 Articles detailed Germany's punishment.

What did the winners want? France Prime Minister Clemenceau wanted to punish Germany; Made demands to ensure war never happened again: Return Alsace-Lorraine land (taken during Franco-Prussian War) Pay reparations to cover the entire cost of rebuilding Give up Rhineland so Germany cannot attack France again

England Many in England wanted to punish Germany too: “Squeeze ‘em until the pips squeak”; but Prime Minister David Lloyd George disagreed: If Germany was treated too harshly it will cause more trouble in the future; Germany should be allowed to recover Rhineland should be demilitarized (military removed), not taken over

USA President Woodrow Wilson came up with 14 Points of Light to restore Europe: Europe should have freedom of seas, free trade; Reduction of weapons; Divide all colonies Self Determination—countries should have right to choose their own type of government Create a League of Nations to prevent future wars

The Treaty Of Versailles 1. War Guilt Clause - Germany had to accept the Blame for starting the war.

The Treaty Of Versailles 2. Germany had to pay £6.6 billion = $30 Billion dollars (called Reparations) for the damage done during the war. $433 Billion in todays money!!

The Treaty Of Versailles 3. Germany was forbidden to have submarines or an air force. She could have a navy of only six battleships, and an Army of just 100,000 men.   In addition, Germany was not allowed to place any troops in the Rhineland, the strip of land, 50 miles wide, next to France.

The Treaty Of Versailles 4. Germany lost Territory (land) in Europe. Germany’s colonies were given to Britain and France. Also, Germany was forbidden to join the League of Nations, or unite with Austria.

The Treaty Of Versailles

What did Germany have to say? Germany had no choice but to agree to the above terms – No debating, or compromising. “The criminal madness of this peace will drain Germany's national life-blood.   It is a shameless blow in the face of common-sense.   It is inflicting the deepest wounds on us Germans as our world lies in wreckage about us.” from a speech made by a German MP in the Reichstag in 1919.

Results of Versailles Treaty of Versailles created more problems than it solved Riots, debt, humiliation in Germany will allow leaders (Hitler) to rise to power by promising revenge Italy was not given land it was promised; economic problems will lead to strong leaders who promise a return to glory (Mussolini)

The Treaty Of Versailles The Failure of the Treaty =