Aim: Explain events that led to the Treaty of Versailles

The Allies Meet and Debate World War I was over World War I was over January 18, 1919, A conference to establish those term began at the Palace of Versailles (Outside Paris) January 18, 1919, A conference to establish those term began at the Palace of Versailles (Outside Paris) Talks known as Paris Peace Conference Talks known as Paris Peace Conference Delegates from 32 countries attended Delegates from 32 countries attended Meeting’s major decisions were hammered out by a group known as the big four: Meeting’s major decisions were hammered out by a group known as the big four: 1) US President Woodrow Wilson 1) US President Woodrow Wilson 2) Georges Clemenceau of France 2) Georges Clemenceau of France 3) David Lloyd George of Britain 3) David Lloyd George of Britain 4) Vittorio Orlando of Italy 4) Vittorio Orlando of Italy Russia & Germany not represented Russia & Germany not represented

Wilson’s Plan for Peace January 1918: President Wilson had drawn a series of peace proposals January 1918: President Wilson had drawn a series of peace proposals Known as the Fourteen Points Known as the Fourteen Points Outlined a plan for a lasting peace Outlined a plan for a lasting peace First 4 points included: First 4 points included: An end to secret treaties An end to secret treaties Freedom of the seas Freedom of the seas Free trade Free trade Reduced national armies & navies Reduced national armies & navies Guiding idea behind these points was self-determination Guiding idea behind these points was self-determination Allowed people to decide what government they wished to live Allowed people to decide what government they wished to live 14 th Point proposed: 14 th Point proposed: “General association of nations” that would protect “great and small states alike” “General association of nations” that would protect “great and small states alike”

The Versailles Treaty Britain and France showed little sign of agreeing to Wilson’s vision Britain and France showed little sign of agreeing to Wilson’s vision Wanted to strip Germany of its war- making power Wanted to strip Germany of its war- making power The Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles Signed June 28, 1919 between Germany & the Allied powers Signed June 28, 1919 between Germany & the Allied powers Treaty created a League of Nations: Treaty created a League of Nations: League was to be an international association whose goal would be to keep peace among nations League was to be an international association whose goal would be to keep peace among nations Treaty also punished Germany Treaty also punished Germany Germany lost substantial territory Germany lost substantial territory Placed severe restriction on military operations Placed severe restriction on military operations Article 231: Placed financial responsibility for the war on Germany Article 231: Placed financial responsibility for the war on Germany