key question 1, were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?

who attended the Paris Peace Conference?

32 nations present Main decisions by the Big Three, Clemenceau, Woodrow Wilson, and Lloyd George Big Three advised by diplomats, lawyers and experts, however they were ignored representatives of the defeated countries not invited

How was the Paris Peace treaty organised?

- lasted 12 months from Jan 1919-20 - 32 nations present - it was a conference of victors, defeated nations not invited - the important decisions made by the "big three", USA, Britain and France

What was the impact of the Paris Peace Treaties on central and Eastern Europe?

Creation of new countries: Czechoslovakia, Poland, Yugoslavia, which were meant to be politically and economically stable Czechoslovakia would become economically stronger Poland, future barrier to Communist expansion. No natural borders so vulnerable to attacks from Germany and Russia. 30% of the population were non-Poles Yugoslavia meant to bring stability to the turbulent Balkans

What was the impact of the TOV on Germany

Made president Ebert and his government very unpopular and contributed to the Kapp Putsch Occupation of the Ruhr by French and Belgian troops after Germany fell behind on reparations resulted in a general strike, which was bad for the economy Many blamed the hyper inflation of 1923 on reparations

How far had Germany accepted the Treaty of Versailles by 1923?

The Weimar Government had accepted the Treaty. By 1923, steel production had surpassed Britain's Hitler became popular through his promises to abolish TOV Stab in the back myth

Why did Clemenceau find it difficult to achieve his aims at the Paris Peace Conference

What he wanted was unacceptable to the other Big Three Clemenceau under massive pressure from French public for the Treaty to be very harsh Wilson believed Clemenceau wanted revenge, rather than looking into the future so Clemenceau's demands were reduced

How far did the peace settlements of 1919-20 reflect the aims of president Wilson?

Wilson wanted co-operation between countries. Achieved this though the creation of LON Wilson believed in self determination. This was achieved throughout Europe Wilson waned to strengthen democracy in defeated nations. This was achieved in the Weimar Republic Wilson failed to get all his 14 points. Lloyd George resisted the freeing of the seas Wilson did not want Germany to be vengeful. He failed to persuade Clemenceau on this issue Wilson failed to get self-determination in Europe as it threatened Britain and France as the still had colonies

what were mandates plebiscites?

a mandate was territory taken from the defeated powers and controlled by LON Most mandates were effectively controlled by Britain and France, but some went to Australia and New Zealand. A plebiscite was when a popular vote was taken to determine which country the populations wished to be attached Examples of plebiscites: North Schleswig voted to join Denmark, Plebiscite of Rhineland after 15 years.

were the Germans right to resent the TOV?

harsh, but less harsh than the Brest-Litovsk Treaty. In this Russia had lost 54% of their industry and 32% of agricultural land and fined 300 million gold roubles Germany would have been harsh on Britain and France Germany had planned to pay for the war through reparations, so after having lost it was their own fault for having economic problems However, Germans believed that they were not responsible for the start of the war so should not have signed Clause 231 Germans were not allowed at the peace talks and it was called a diktat

how successfully did the Peacemakers cope with the problems they faced?

many at the time thought it was right treaties made progress in self determination Germans should not have been surprised over the loss of land from the treaty reasonable after Brest-Litosvk However, treaties left defeated countries bitter and vengeful treaties failed in Central Europe as states were created with too many rival minorities in Austria, the economy collapsed. Hungarians lost 3 million citizens to other countries Treaties punished normal citizens, rather than those responsible. Maybe citizens should have been kept happy to stop the spread of Communism it was wrong put blame solely on Germany as other countries had followed aggressive imperialism, such as Britain and France

Could the TOV be justified at the time?

some historians say it was too harsh and lead to the rise of the Nazis and the WW2 at the time, non_germans believed it was fair or not harsh enough and that Germany would have been just as harsh if they had won A more generous treaty would not have been accepted by the British and French public Historians believe that the treaty was the best that could be done in the circumstances

Why was there discussion about the status of Danzig at the Paris Peace Conference?

Before WW1, Danzig had been a thriving German sea port. Population was German, so Polish takeover might not go down well Danzig would become Poland's sea port for trade The Allies could not agree so placed Danzig under LON control

what was the public mood like in 1919?

Big Three under pressure to be severe towards Germany Britain had lost 750,000 men, and Lloyd George had become prime minister through using slogans such as "Hang the Kaiser" and "make Germany pay" France had lost 1 1/2 million men, and North East France had been devastated Allow the war was over, bitterness and hatred remained

Why did Germany sign the TOV

Britain and France threatened to continue war British naval blockade still in place Germany was afraid that continuing the war would lead to a Communist uprising Germany was running out fo resources for war

Why was Clemenceau disappointed with the peace settlement?

Clemenceau wanted Germany broken up into many small states so that Germany was not a threat to France in the future. Big Three did not accept. France had to abandon Saar claim Clemenceau unhappy that reparations were not payed immediately He would lose public support if the Treaty was not severe like the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Disappointed when Germany reduced to 100,000, afraid that this could still invade France Clemenceau wanted Rhineland to be an independent state and act as buffer zone between France and Germany

how did the Big Three differ in their aims

George Clemenceau wanted to cripple Germany for compensation of the destruction of France. Wanted the return of Alsace-Lorraine. Wanted to ensure that Germany would never invade again. Wanted germany to lose all of its colonies and pay massive reparations Woodrow Wilson wanted this war to be the last great war. Punish Germany but not too severely. Wilson had Fourteen Points that he wanted put in place, the most important of which were: disarmament, national self determination, starting League of Nations. David Lloyd George was the middle ground. Wanted to punish Germany, but not very harshly. Take away German colonies and warships to strengthen British Empire. Wanted to begin trading with Germany as soon as possible, so did not want to cripple it. Also did not want a vengeful Germany.

How did Germany react to the TOV

Germany had lost: 10% of its land, 12.5% of its population, 16% of its coalfields, 50% of its iron and steal industry, all of its colonies War guilt clause hated as it justified reparations Reparations threatened to destroy Germany economy, Germans were already straving Disarmament upsetting as Germany had a proud military tradition and no other LON countries had disarmed, double standards Territorial losses a blow to pride Stab in the back myth that Germany had been betrayed by the politicians and if they had kept fighting then Germany could have won anger that the Treaty was a diktat as Germany had not been present

Why did the TOV cause problems for Germany from 1919 to 1923

Germany thought the terms were harsh and unreasonable and were not allowed to negotiate Many Germans did not realise they had lost so blamed Weimar Republic for accepting harsh treaty. There were extremist attempts to overthrow Weimar Republic such as Spactacists League and Freikorps Delayed reparation payments lead to occupation of Ruhr in 1923 Ruhr crisis caused Germany to become bankrupt. A new government under Stresemann accpeted reparations would have to be payed Harsh reparations meant that it was difficult to recover economy reduction in army lead to severe unemployment

why did the Treaty of Versaille punish Germany?

It was expected that the losers would be punished, such as how Germany had treated France in 1871 War Guilt Clause, Clause 231, meant that Germany accepted all blame and would be punished accordingly without having any grounds to disagree Germany took the first major action with the Schlieffen Plan Germany had caused massive damage to infrastructure in France, destroying mines, railways, and factories Once Russia had conceded during the war, the Brest-Litovsk Treaty meant that Russia payed massive reparations to Germany, and therefore The Big Three could do the same to Germany

What did the other Peace Treaties say?

Treaty of St German (Austria). Had to pay reparations. Austro-Hungarian Empire broken up. Land given to Czechoslovakia, Bosnia & Yugoslavia & Italy. Austria was to become a republic. Austria had to accept responsibility for starting the war. Austria's army reduced to 30,000. Conscription abolished. Treaty of Trianon (Hungary). Had to accept break up of Austro-Hungarian Empire. Transylvania to Romania. Slovakia and Ruthenia to Czechoslovakia. Slovenia to Yugoslavia. 3 million Hungarians ended up in other states. Industry and raw materials lost. Army limited to 35,000 men. Hungary lost 70% of its land area. All war criminals handed over. Treaty of Neuilly(Bulgaria). Lost land to Greece, Romania, and Yugoslavia, and access to the Mediterranean Sea. Reparations, but low as it had played a fairly small part in the war. Treaty of Sevres(Turkey). Formal acceptance of break up of the Ottoman Empire. Lost control of the straits connection the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Smyrna to Greece. Turkey had to recognise the independence of the Kingdom of Hejaz and Armenia. Syria became a mandate under French control. Iraq and Palestine became British mandates. Rhodes was ceded to Italy. Turkey was allowed a maximum of 50,000 soldiers, six torpedo boats. No conscription. Agree to the covenant of the LON. Treaty renegotiotated in Lausanne in 1923 as a result of the severity

What were the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles

War guilt Clause, justified all the other terms Reparations, fixed at £6.6 billion in 1921, Germany continued to pay until 1984 German Territory, Alsace-Lorraine to France, Eupen and Malmedy to Belgium, Saarland run by LON for 15 years then a plebiscite, West Prussia and Posen to Poland (Polish Corridor), Upper Silesia to Poland, Danzig made a free city and run by LON and Poland given rights to use it as a port, Anschluss forbidden Overseas colonies. Confiscated and became mandates of LON. German East Africa given to Britain, Cameroon and Togoland to France, New Guinea to Australia, Samoa to New Zealand Demilitarisation. Army limited to 100,000, serving for 12 years, conscription banned, no armoured vehicles, submarines, aircraft or heavy artillery. only 6 battleships. Demilitarisation of the Rhineland with occupation by allied troops for 15 years Saar land. Taken from Germany, administered by LON for 15 years, after that time a plebiscite would be held, deciding whether it would go to France Germany or remain under LON. During the 15 years, the coalmines would be under the control of France.

Why were there disagreements and compromises between the Big Three?

Wilson had to agree to french plans for Rhineland and Saar as US had not suffered as bad as France. Clemenceau and Lloyd George had to agree to national self determination Clemenceau wanted to stop Germany from ever invading again.