History Module 1 - The Treaty of Versailles

Question 1

What were Clemenceau’s demands at the beginning of the peace negotiations?

Answer 1

1. Severe penalties and heavy reparations for Germany.
2. Return of Alsace-Lorraine to France and a demilitarized Rhineland.
3. Significant reduction of Germany’s military capabilities.
4. Guarantees for France’s future security against German threats.

Question 2

What were Wilson’s hopes as he arrived in France for the peace negotiations?

Answer 2

1. Establishing the League of Nations to ensure world peace.
2. Applying his Fourteen Points, promoting self-determination and fair treatment of nations.
3. Preventing harsh punishment of Germany to avoid future resentment.
4. Promoting democracy and fair international dealings.

Question 3

What happened to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the Treaty of Saint Germain?

Answer 3

1. Was formally dissolved.
2. Lost significant territories to neighbouring countries.
3. Austria was forbidden from uniting with Germany.
4. Faced military and economic restrictions.

Question 4

What territorial demands did Clemenceau make during the Paris Peace Conference?

Answer 4

1. Return of Alsace-Lorraine to France.
2. Demilitarisation of the Rhineland.
3. Control of the Saar Basin for its coal resources.
4. Security guarantees to protect France from future German aggression.

Question 5

What were the territorial terms of the Treaty of St Germain?

Answer 5

1. Dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
2. Austria lost significant territories to Italy, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia.
3. Austria was reduced to primarily German-speaking areas.
4. Restrictions on Austria’s unification with Germany.

Question 6

What happened to Germany’s colonies in the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 6

1. Confiscated by the Allies.
2. Placed under the League of Nations mandate system.
3. Administered by various Allied countries.
4. Germany lost all sovereign rights over these territories.

Question 7

What were Clemenceau’s aims at Versailles?

Answer 7

1. To ensure France’s long-term security against German aggression.
2. To regain Alsace-Lorraine and establish a demilitarised zone in the Rhineland.
3. To impose heavy reparations on Germany.
4. To weaken Germany militarily and economically.

Question 8

What did Hitler do to break the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 8

1. Rebuilding and expanding Germany’s military.
2. Remilitarising the Rhineland.
3. Annexing territories like Austria and the Sudetenland.
4. Ignoring disarmament clauses and preparing for war.

Question 9

Describe how Austria was treated in the peace settlement.

Answer 9

1. Separation from Hungary and other parts of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
2. Significant territorial losses to neighbouring countries.
3. Prohibition of political union with Germany.
4. Military and economic restrictions imposed.

Question 10

Describe how Bulgaria was treated in the peace settlement.

Answer 10

1. Territorial losses to neighbouring countries, including Greece and Yugoslavia.
2. Payment of reparations for war damages.
3. Reduction of its military forces.
4. Restrictions on its sovereignty and foreign policy.

Question 11

Describe the benefits Lloyd George wanted Britain to gain from the Paris Peace Conference.

Answer 11

1. Expansion of Britain’s colonial territories.
2. Maintenance of naval superiority.
3. Economic compensation through German reparations.
4. Preservation of the balance of power in Europe to ensure British security.

Question 12

What were Clemenceau’s aims at Versailles?

Answer 12

1. To ensure France’s long-term security against German aggression.
2. To regain Alsace-Lorraine and establish a demilitarised zone in the Rhineland.
3. To impose heavy reparations on Germany.
4. To weaken Germany militarily and economically.

Question 13

Describe how Austria was treated in the peace settlement.

Answer 13

1. It was separated from Hungary and other parts of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
2. Austria lost significant territories to neighbouring countries.
3. The treaty prohibited any union with Germany.
4. Austria faced military and economic restrictions.

Question 14

Name four of Wilson’s Fourteen Points.

Answer 14

1. No secret treaties between countries
2. All countries to work towards disarmament
3. Self-determination for the peoples of Eastern Europe
4. League of Nations to be set up

Question 15

Describe the Paris Peace conference.

Answer 15

• Held in Versailles 1919-20, lasted 12 months
• Decided fates of defeated countries, defeated countries not invited
• Important decisions made by Big Three (Clemenceau, Lloyd George & Wilson), advisors often ignored
• Five treaties drawn up including ToV

Question 16

What were the four main terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 16

BRAT:
- Blame: Germany to accept blame for WWI
- Reparations: Germany to pay 123 billion gold marks
- Arms: Limited to 100,000 men, Rhineland demilitarised, no aircrafts
- Territory: Alsace-Lorraine to France, Saarland to France for 15 years, Polish corridor, colonies to Britain and France

Question 17

How did the Big Three view the Treaty?

Answer 17

• Clemenceau happy, Germany punished, but was voted out for not being harsh enough
• Lloyd George celebrated, but knew another war was likely
• Wilson unhappy with harshness on Germany, happy with LoN

Question 18

In what ways did the Treaty of Versailles restrict Germany’s ability to fight a war in the future?

Answer 18

1. Limited army to 100,000 men.
2. Prohibited an air force.
3. Restricted navy size and composition.
4. Demilitarised the Rhineland.

Question 19

What were plebiscites in the peace settlement of 1919-20?

Answer 19

1. Votes to determine sovereignty of disputed territories.
2. Allowed inhabitants to choose their country.
3. Conducted in regions like Schleswig, Allenstein, Silesia.
4. Applied self-determination principle post-war.

Question 20

What did the Treaty of Versailles decide about (i) the Saar and (ii) Danzig?

Answer 20

1. Saar under League of Nations control for 15 years.
2. France granted rights to Saar coal mines.
3. Free City of Danzig established under League’s protection.
4. Danzig ensured Poland access to the sea.

Question 21

Under the terms of the treaties, what happened to land lost by the Austro-Hungarian Empire?

Answer 21

1. Divided among new/forming countries: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania.
2. Italy received South Tyrol, Trentino, Istria.
3. Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia gained territory.
4. Austria, Hungary became smaller, independent states.

Question 22

Describe how the German armed forces were affected by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Answer 22

1. Army limited to 100,000 volunteers.
2. Air force completely prohibited.
3. Navy restricted to small fleet, no submarines.
4. Manufacture of weapons severely limited.

Question 23

In what ways did the Treaty of Versailles restrict Germany’s ability to fight a war in the future?

Answer 23

1. Lost two-thirds territory to neighbouring countries.
2. Population drastically reduced, many Hungarians outside new borders.
3. Army limited to 35,000 troops.
4. Required to pay reparations.

Question 24

What were plebiscites in the peace settlement of 1919-20?

Answer 24

1. Public votes on territorial sovereignty.
2. Inhabitants chose which country to join.
3. Held in disputed regions like Schleswig, Silesia.
4. Enabled principle of self-determination.

Question 25

What did the Treaty of Versailles decide about (i) the Saar and (ii) Danzig?

Answer 25

1. Saar Basin administered by League of Nations for 15 years.
2. France given rights to Saar coal mines.
3. Danzig became a Free City under League protection.
4. Ensured Poland access to the sea via Danzig.

Question 26

Describe how the German armed forces were affected by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Answer 26

1. Army limited to 100,000 volunteers.
2. Air force completely prohibited.
3. Navy restricted to small fleet, no submarines.
4. Manufacture of weapons severely limited.

Question 27

What territories in Europe did Germany lose in the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 27

1. Alsace-Lorraine returned to France.
2. Saar Basin placed under League of Nations control.
3. West Prussia, Posen, Upper Silesia to Poland.
4. Northern Schleswig voted to return to Denmark.

Question 28

Describe Wilson’s purpose in putting forward his Fourteen Points.

Answer 28

1. Ensure peace, prevent future wars.
2. Promote self-determination, national independence.
3. Encourage disarmament, reduce military forces.
4. Establish League of Nations, ensure collective security.

Question 29

What was the purpose of the ‘war guilt’ clause?

Answer 29

1. Legally blame Germany for starting WWI.
2. Justify reparations demands from Germany.
3. Reduce German military and political power.
4. Establish moral high ground for Allies.

Question 30

What were the ‘successor states’?

Answer 30

1. New countries from Austro-Hungarian Empire’s breakup.
2. Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia established.
3. Poland re-established, expanded.
4. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania gained independence from Russia.