Chapter 1 Flashcards
What were Wilson’s ideas? (1918)
- Don’t be too harsh to Germany.
- Strengthen democracy in defeated countries.
- Give self-determination to small countries that had once been part of the European empires.
- International co-operation (co-operate to make world piece).
What pressures did Lloyd George face?
-Huge public pressures at home for a harsh treat (Britain were not sympathetic to GR). George promised to ‘make Germany pay’.
What pressures did Clemenceau face?
-WW1 caused two thirds of the French army to be killed or injured, so the French people wanted a treaty that would punish GR and weaken it as much as possible.
What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
- War guilt
- Reparations
- German territories and colonies
- Germany’s armed forces
- (League of Nations)
What land was taken away from Germany?
- West Prussia and Posen to Poland
- Alsace Lorraine to France
- Upper Silesia to Poland
How was Germany’s armed forces limited?
- 100,000 men
- Conscription banned - soldiers had to be volunteers.
- No armoured vehicles, submarines or aircraft.
- Six battleships.
- Rhineland became demilitarised zone - important as it was border area between GR and FR.
Name 3 impacts of the Treaty on Germany?
- Political violence.
- Conflict in the Ruhr.
- Hyperinflation.
How was the Treaty seen at the time?
- None of the Big Three was happy with the Treaty.
- Many felt Germans were operating a ‘double standard’ their call for a fairer treatment did not fit with harsh way they treated Russia (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk).
How was the Treaty seen with hindsight? (Looking back at a historical event and judge knowing its consequences).
-Helped create cruel Nazi regime and helped cause WW2.
What other 4 peace settlements were there?
- Treaty of St Germain 1919 dealt with Austria.
- Treaty of Neuilly 1919 dealt with Bulgaria.
- Treaty of Trianon 1920 dealt with Hungary.
- Treaty of Sevres 1920 dealt with Turkey.
