An overview of the peace treaties which ended World War I and their consequences

Question 1

Paris peace conference definition

Answer 1

Held to determine peace terms for the defeated nations.

8th of January 1919, With 32 Allied nations represented in the Palace of Versailles, Paris.

Goals to prevent another disastrous war and to account for the cost of the war - That is the immense life and monetary loss.

Russia was not included in the treaty as well as the losing nations of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey.

At the Conference, the Treaty of Versailles was drafted and its terms of peace are considered by many historians as a major cause of WW2.

Question 2

Treaty of versailles

Answer 2

The major players determining the treaty and their motivations;

• The United States - Woodrow Wilson

He wanted to create a League of Nations as part of his 14 Point Plan to ensure future peace

• France - Georges Clemenceau

He wanted to punish Germany harshly for the amount of damage France endured

• Britain - David Lloyd George

Wanted to punish Germany - used the election phrase ‘Hang the Kaiser! However, he was pragmatic in his approach

• Italy - Vittorio Emanuel Orlando

Desired a port from Austria and did not receive it and so left the signing upset

Question 3

Terms of the treaty of versailles

Answer 3

Germany was not included in the negotiations of the treaty and so they called it a treaty imposed by the victors, a ‘diktat. They were forced to sign

• Military
• Territory
• Colonial
• Reparations
• War Guilt Clause

Short term effects - Germany

• The Germans were shocked and angered that the Peace was so harsh.
• ‘November Criminals’ for signing the agreement
• ‘Stab in the back’
• Unemployment reached highs of 6 million\
• This caused a polarization of people who had become very nationalist.

Long term effects - Germany

• Hyperinflation
• Additionally, the next generation was punished for and had to deal with the repercussions of their parent’s crimes leading to a devastating outcome which would lead to WW2.

Question 4

How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the rise of Hitler?

(3 marks)

Answer 4

The Treaty of Versailles destabilised Germany by causing a lack of loyalty and trust in the Weimar Government who had accepted the terms of the punitive peace. (1)

It also created economic instability due to the reparations which led to mass unemployment. (2)

These factors enabled by the treaty angered people and polarised them politically giving rise to conservative groups. (3)

This destabilised society created an opportunity for Hitler, a radical leader, to take power by promising to eliminate people’s problems and get back at the powers which inflicted their troubles on them. (Link)