Paris Peace Conference and Treaty of Versailles
What were the key outcomes of the Treaty of Versailles?
+ 'War Guilt Clause' - article 231 + reparations + military restrictions + territory distribution + colony distribution + Rhineland + League of Nations
+ military restrictions
- Germany's army was limited to 100,000 men - conscription was banned - German air force was disbanded - limited production of weapons and ammunition
+ Rhineland
- a demilitarised zone between France and Germany - river marks the border
+ 'War Guilt Clause' - article 231
- blamed Germany and its allies for starting the WW1
+ reparations
- declared Germany must pay huge amount of compensation money (7 billion British pounds) for the loss and damage - of which, Germany never payed a whole lot back
+ League of Nations
- established - an organisation formed with aim of preventing another war and maintaining world peace by settling arising disputes - it failed due to no influence
Why did Germany sign the treaty?
- forced to - allies blockaded german territory forced to sign for food and survival - If they did not sign, the Allies would invade, (they had a weak and ruined army)
+ colony distribution
- german colonies divided between Allies
+ territory distribution
- large sections of Germany's territory was distributed to neighbouring countries - Polish corridor regained - Sudentenland - French provinces - Alsace and Lorraine - returned
The treaty enacted severe punitive damages on Germany including;
- seizure of territory, - loss of colonies, - reduction of its military to a symbolic size, - requirements it pay reparations to the victors - assigned sole responsibility for starting the war
Why did the victorious nations meet?
- to discuss the penalties and terms of surrender for the Central Power - to rebuild Europe - organise a peace treaty with sole purpose to keep peace
When was the Treaty signed?
After months of negotiation, - it was signed on June 28, 1919, - singed by the Allied and associated powers and by Germany - in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles - went into effect on January 10, 1920.
David Lloyd George
British prime minister, - move is moderate - had just won reelection on the slogan "Make Germany Pay."
Georges Clemenceau
French Prime Minister - he wanted revenge and compensation - wanted to ensure that Germany would never again threaten France by weakening them
Kaiser Wilhelm II
German Leader (Emperor of Germany) during World War I - he is foced to abdicate - decides to step down after WW1
Vittorio Orlando
Italian Prime Minister who - insisted that the Allies honour their secret agreement to give Italy lands once ruled by Austria-Hungary. - did not get what he wanted - left
Woodrow Wilson
President of the United States (1913-1921) - he wanted to achieve lasting peace - he is an idealist, who wanted to punish Germany but not too harshly - his idea to create the League of Nations - He was unable to persuade the U.S. Congress to ratify the Treaty of Versailles or join the League of Nations.
What is the Treaty of Versailles?
The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty produced by the Paris Peace Conference at the end of World War I.
What did the treaty cause?
The terms of the treaty are often blamed for helping create the conditions that led to World War II as the german people felt they had been treated unfairly leading to resentment
Diktat
the imposed harsh terms on Germany, both economically and politically
What was the aim of the Treaty of Versailles?
to ensure ongoing international peace