Key Facts

The 3 main representatives were President Woodrow Wilson (USA), Prime Minister David Lloyd George (UK) and Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau (France). Most of the work of writing the terms of the treaty was carried out by specialist committees. These met in Paris and only the signing took place at the Palace of Versailles which gave its name to the treaty.

Clemenceau wanted a harsh peace that would punish Germany and also prevent her from causing another war. 1914 had been the second time that Germany had invaded France in living memory and the French were determined that it would never happen again. They wanted to split Germany up and remove both her economic and military ability to make war. They wanted to punish Germany and keep her weak.

Wilson wanted a peace based on his 14 Points which would allow Germany to be quickly restored as a leading European power but above all he wanted the creation of a League of Nations which would prevent another war ever breaking out. Wilson called this the war to end all wars. The former Kaiser called the treaty the "peace to end all peace". He was prepared to side with Clemenceau to achieve this. Wilson also wanted the Austro-Hungarian Empire to be replaced by new nations based on the principle of self determination.

Lloyd George sympathised with Wilson especially since Germany was a major trading partner of Britain's and British prosperity depended on German being well off. Also Lloyd George was afraid that an impoverished Germany would turn to Communism just as Russia had done in 1917. But Lloyd George had just won an election in December 1918 in which he had promised to make Germany pay for the war and his supporters wanted him to do this.

The peacemakers in Paris had to redraw the map of Europe following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian, Russian and Turkish Empires. They had also to create the conditions for a lasting peace by containing and disarming Germany. They had also to keep Communist Russia out of Europe.

The Germans were not allowed to attend the talks in Paris but in May they were given the proposed treaty to read and told that it was a case of accepting the treaty or the war starting again. German politicians were very reluctant to accept the treaty but after much discussion in Berlin and the formation of anew government the treaty was signed at Versailles on June 28th 1919, five years to the day the Archduke was shot.
The terms of the treaty were as follows-

Alsace - Lorraine to be handed back to France, Eupen and Malmedy to Belgium.

New state of Poland created and given West Prussia from Germany so that she could have access to the sea - The Polish Corridor.

The German city of Danzig to be an international city run by the League of Nations.

All German colonies to be given to the allies.

The German army to be reduced to only 100,000 men.

The Germans were not allowed tanks, an air force nor submarines.

Warships were to be limited to 10,000 tons

The Rhineland was to be occupied by the allies for 15 years and then to be permanently demilitarised ie no German troops to be stationed in the area

The Saar coalfields were to be given to France for 15 years after which there was to be a vote to see if they wished to be German or French.

Germany to accept that she was alone responsible for the outbreak of the war.

As a result Germany was to pay for damages to France, Belgium and the Uk as well as other countries.

Germany and Austria were never to be allowed to be united.

A League of Nations was to be created.

The Germans were furious at these terms

Read pages 56 to 58 and answer these questions-

Explain fully how Wilson, Lloyd George and Clemenceau differed in their attitudes to Germany in 1919.

What was the public's attitude to the Germans?

How many soldiers, sailors and airman were lost by a.Great Britain, b.France c.Germany d.Russia?

How much money had a.the allies and b.the Central Powers spent fighting the war?

According to source D (p57) who had been responsible for the war?

How does source F contradict source B and how do you explain these different viewpoints?

Why did Clemenceau come to dominate the conference?

What were the main terms of the Treaty?

Treaty of Versailles I - Help Sheet

Read pages 56 to 58 and complete the following in your jotter -

1. The American President thought, "it is essential...........................

........................................................................................................................

2. The British Prime Minister thought,"our peace............................

........................................................................................................................

3. The French Prime Minister thought "German power..................

........................................................................................................................

4. How many men were lost by-

a. Britain

b. France

c. Germany?

5. How much had the allies spent on the war?

6. Who was going to pay for the war (page 57 column 1)

7. What were the terms of the treaty?