History Module 1 - The Treaty of Versailles Flashcards
What were Clemenceau’s demands at the beginning of the peace negotiations?
- Severe penalties and heavy reparations for Germany.
- Return of Alsace-Lorraine to France and a demilitarized Rhineland.
- Significant reduction of Germany’s military capabilities.
- Guarantees for France’s future security against German threats.
What were Wilson’s hopes as he arrived in France for the peace negotiations?
- Establishing the League of Nations to ensure world peace.
- Applying his Fourteen Points, promoting self-determination and fair treatment of nations.
- Preventing harsh punishment of Germany to avoid future resentment.
- Promoting democracy and fair international dealings.
What happened to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the Treaty of Saint Germain?
- Was formally dissolved.
- Lost significant territories to neighbouring countries.
- Austria was forbidden from uniting with Germany.
- Faced military and economic restrictions.
What territorial demands did Clemenceau make during the Paris Peace Conference?
- Return of Alsace-Lorraine to France.
- Demilitarisation of the Rhineland.
- Control of the Saar Basin for its coal resources.
- Security guarantees to protect France from future German aggression.
What were the territorial terms of the Treaty of St Germain?
- Dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
- Austria lost significant territories to Italy, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia.
- Austria was reduced to primarily German-speaking areas.
- Restrictions on Austria’s unification with Germany.
What happened to Germany’s colonies in the Treaty of Versailles?
- Confiscated by the Allies.
- Placed under the League of Nations mandate system.
- Administered by various Allied countries.
- Germany lost all sovereign rights over these territories.
What were Clemenceau’s aims at Versailles?
- To ensure France’s long-term security against German aggression.
- To regain Alsace-Lorraine and establish a demilitarised zone in the Rhineland.
- To impose heavy reparations on Germany.
- To weaken Germany militarily and economically.
What did Hitler do to break the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
- Rebuilding and expanding Germany’s military.
- Remilitarising the Rhineland.
- Annexing territories like Austria and the Sudetenland.
- Ignoring disarmament clauses and preparing for war.
Describe how Austria was treated in the peace settlement.
- Separation from Hungary and other parts of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
- Significant territorial losses to neighbouring countries.
- Prohibition of political union with Germany.
- Military and economic restrictions imposed.
Describe how Bulgaria was treated in the peace settlement.
- Territorial losses to neighbouring countries, including Greece and Yugoslavia.
- Payment of reparations for war damages.
- Reduction of its military forces.
- Restrictions on its sovereignty and foreign policy.
Describe the benefits Lloyd George wanted Britain to gain from the Paris Peace Conference.
- Expansion of Britain’s colonial territories.
- Maintenance of naval superiority.
- Economic compensation through German reparations.
- Preservation of the balance of power in Europe to ensure British security.
What were Clemenceau’s aims at Versailles?
- To ensure France’s long-term security against German aggression.
- To regain Alsace-Lorraine and establish a demilitarised zone in the Rhineland.
- To impose heavy reparations on Germany.
- To weaken Germany militarily and economically.
Describe how Austria was treated in the peace settlement.
- It was separated from Hungary and other parts of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
- Austria lost significant territories to neighbouring countries.
- The treaty prohibited any union with Germany.
- Austria faced military and economic restrictions.
Name four of Wilson’s Fourteen Points.
- No secret treaties between countries
- All countries to work towards disarmament
- Self-determination for the peoples of Eastern Europe
- League of Nations to be set up
Describe the Paris Peace conference.
- 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
What were the four main terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
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
How did the Big Three view the Treaty?
- 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
In what ways did the Treaty of Versailles restrict Germany’s ability to fight a war in the future?
- Limited army to 100,000 men.
- Prohibited an air force.
- Restricted navy size and composition.
- Demilitarised the Rhineland.
What were plebiscites in the peace settlement of 1919-20?
- Votes to determine sovereignty of disputed territories.
- Allowed inhabitants to choose their country.
- Conducted in regions like Schleswig, Allenstein, Silesia.
- Applied self-determination principle post-war.
What did the Treaty of Versailles decide about (i) the Saar and (ii) Danzig?
- Saar under League of Nations control for 15 years.
- France granted rights to Saar coal mines.
- Free City of Danzig established under League’s protection.
- Danzig ensured Poland access to the sea.
Under the terms of the treaties, what happened to land lost by the Austro-Hungarian Empire?
- Divided among new/forming countries: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania.
- Italy received South Tyrol, Trentino, Istria.
- Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia gained territory.
- Austria, Hungary became smaller, independent states.
Describe how the German armed forces were affected by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
- Army limited to 100,000 volunteers.
- Air force completely prohibited.
- Navy restricted to small fleet, no submarines.
- Manufacture of weapons severely limited.
In what ways did the Treaty of Versailles restrict Germany’s ability to fight a war in the future?
- Lost two-thirds territory to neighbouring countries.
- Population drastically reduced, many Hungarians outside new borders.
- Army limited to 35,000 troops.
- Required to pay reparations.
What were plebiscites in the peace settlement of 1919-20?
- Public votes on territorial sovereignty.
- Inhabitants chose which country to join.
- Held in disputed regions like Schleswig, Silesia.
- Enabled principle of self-determination.
What did the Treaty of Versailles decide about (i) the Saar and (ii) Danzig?
- Saar Basin administered by League of Nations for 15 years.
- France given rights to Saar coal mines.
- Danzig became a Free City under League protection.
- Ensured Poland access to the sea via Danzig.
Describe how the German armed forces were affected by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
- Army limited to 100,000 volunteers.
- Air force completely prohibited.
- Navy restricted to small fleet, no submarines.
- Manufacture of weapons severely limited.
What territories in Europe did Germany lose in the Treaty of Versailles?
- Alsace-Lorraine returned to France.
- Saar Basin placed under League of Nations control.
- West Prussia, Posen, Upper Silesia to Poland.
- Northern Schleswig voted to return to Denmark.
Describe Wilson’s purpose in putting forward his Fourteen Points.
- Ensure peace, prevent future wars.
- Promote self-determination, national independence.
- Encourage disarmament, reduce military forces.
- Establish League of Nations, ensure collective security.
What was the purpose of the ‘war guilt’ clause?
- Legally blame Germany for starting WWI.
- Justify reparations demands from Germany.
- Reduce German military and political power.
- Establish moral high ground for Allies.
What were the ‘successor states’?
- New countries from Austro-Hungarian Empire’s breakup.
- Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia established.
- Poland re-established, expanded.
- Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania gained independence from Russia.
