1. THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES
21/10/13

2. Learning outcomes
List the winners and losers of  WW1 (and their side “Allies” or “central powers”)
Explain the reason for and conclusions of the Paris peace conference
List the countries and their leaders who took part in the Paris peace conference
Say what each country wanted from the conference and why they wanted this

3. The Mood in 1919
Most countries felt Germany should pay for the damage and destruction caused by the War.
The countries of Europe were exhausted.
Their economies and industries were in a poor state.
Millions had died. Almost every family had lost a member in the fighting.
Ordinary citizens faced shortages of food and medicine.

4. Did the Paris Peace Conference make a sensible settlement?
On 28 June 1919, exactly 5 years after the murders at Sarajevo, which had sparked off the First World War, the most powerful men in the world met in a magnificent palace just outside Paris. The agreement they signed became known as the Treaty of Versailles.
Palace of Versailles

5. The Aims of the Leaders
There was disagreement about what the conference was aiming to do.
Some felt the aim was to punish Germany.
Some wanted to cripple Germany so it couldn’t start another war.
Some felt the winning countries should be rewarded.
Some aimed for a just and lasting peace.

6. The Four Major Leaders

7. The Big Four

8. Woodrow Wilson President of the USA.
Wilson was an idealist and reformer, who wanted to build a better and more peaceful world.
He didn’t want the Treaty to be too harsh as he believed this would lead to revenge.
He wanted to set up a peace keeping body – The League of Nations
Wilson did not understand the deep feelings of hatred in Europe.

9. David Lloyd George The prime minister of Great Britain.
He was a realist.
An experienced politician who realised there must be compromise.
The people of Britain wanted revenge.
He knew this would lead to war but he represented the people.

10. George Clemenceau President of France.
Clemenceau had seen France invaded by Germany in 1870 and 1914, he wanted to make sure this would never happen again.
France had suffered greatly during the War they wanted compensation and revenge.
Uncompromising.

11. Vittorio Orlando Italian Prime Minister.
Wanted land and territory for Italy.
Self determination stopped Italy getting the lands especially Fiume.
Walked out of the meeting when he didn’t get his way in April 1919.
Returned to sign the Treaty in May.

12. Have we fulfilled our learning outcomes?
List the winners and losers of  WW1 (and their side “Allies” or “central powers”)
Explain the reason for and conclusions of the Paris peace conference
List the countries and their leaders who took part in the Paris peace conference
Say what each country wanted from the conference and why they wanted this

13. Learning outcomes Students should be able to:
List and understand the terms of the treaty
Comprehend the consequences of the treaty and WW1 in general
Define and explain the league of nations and its pro’s and cons

14. Can you work out the message behind this cartoon
Can you work out the message behind this cartoon? How useful are cartoons in understanding the reaction of ordinary Germans to the Treaty of Versailles?

16. The main points of the Treaty [BRAT]
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: 
1.   Germany had to accept the Blame for starting the war (Clause 231).  This was vital because it provided the justification for...
2.   Germany had to pay £6,600 million (called Reparations) for the damage done during the war.

17. 3. Germany was forbidden to have submarines or an air force
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.
4.   Germany lost Territory (land) in Europe (see map, below). Germany’s colonies were given to Britain and France.
(Also, Germany was forbidden to join the League of Nations, or unite with Austria.)

18. The results of WW1 Resentment Unemployment and poverty New countries
Rise of the USA
The League of nations
The rise of communism

19. The League of Nations Encourage co-operation AIMS Improve Disarmament
Stop aggression
AIMS
Improve
social conditions
Disarmament

20. Membership 42 members - by 1930’s 59
Defeated countries could not join e.g. Germany
Russia excluded because communist
USA did not join - isolation from world affairs
A club for the victorious?

21. Structure The Council The Assembly Each country one vote
Met several times a year
and in emergencies
5 permanent members
Each had right to veto any idea
The Assembly
Each country one vote
Permanent court of
International Justice
Based at The Hague
Settle disputes peacefully
No power of enforcement
The Secretariat
Kept records - civil service

22. Powers of the League
If a country ignored the ruling of the League it could:
Put pressure on
Refuse to trade - sanctions
Send in troops - member countries join together

23. Strengths of the League
Many countries supported it in early days - they wanted peace
Had some early successes:
Settled some land disputes in 1920’s
helped refugees, dealt with spread of disease, fought for better conditions for people

24. Weaknesses of League USA didn’t join
No real power - relied on goodwill and persuasion
No permanent army
Disarmament not realistic
Structure a disaster - everyone had to agree before any action taken

27. What do you think this ominous picture is trying to say?

28. Learning outcomes Can we?
List and understand the terms of the treaty
Comprehend the consequences of the treaty and WW1 in general
Define and explain the league of nations and its pro’s and cons