Paris Peace Conference Flashcards
How did Germany react to the Allied imposition of reparations? Did it pay?
Germany believed that these impositions were too harsh, claiming to not be able to pay reparations considering the rise in unemployment, inflation, and poverty in the country. Eventually, the Rentenmark was introduced, finances stabilized, and reparation payments resumed
How did the Allies react to Germany’s behavior in 1923? What did they try to do to enforce reparations?
The Allies believed that Germany claiming that they were unable to pay reparations was an excuse to simply avoid it. Thus, along with Belgian forces, France occupied the Ruhr and forcefully seized coal and other resources to compensate for the missing payments. The Dawes Plan partly eased the issue of reparation payments for Germany, however.
What arguments were made that Germany could and should pay its reparations bill?
The War Guilt Clause blamed Germany solely on the war, thus the Allies believed that it was a form of compensation. The Germans also imposed a harsh treaty on Soviet Russia, and the Treaty of Versailles became a “taste of their own medicine”. Although Germany was in economic decline, the Dawes Plan partly eased this issue and allowed reparations to be paid again. Lastly, Germany was not left with much of a choice especially due to Disarmament, where not paying reparations potentially meant a resuming of the war.
What arguments were made that it was unfair to demand Germany pay reparation to the Allies after the war?
First of all, the War Guilt Clause was inaccurate in its sole blame of Germany, where they suffered heavy losses too. This coupled with their economic issues, including a rise in unemployment, inflation, and poverty suggested an inability or at least difficulty in paying. Also, despite Germany losing many resources, they were not paid reparations.
What were the economic results of Germany’s decisions to pay the striking workers in the Ruhr in 1923?
Greater expenditure in paying the striking workers coupled with decreased income (lower taxation receipts and decreased production) led to the German Government printing money. This led to hyperinflation making savings practically worthless. Many transactions then involved bartering.
Why did popular opinion in the US and the UK turn against the French occupation?
Following the forceful occupation of the Ruhr, straining an already weak Germany for valuable resources may have been seen as inhumane. Furthermore, more than 130 Germans - unnecessary losses. Additionally, the US public was fairly indifferent towards the French benefiting, so there was not much required to give them a negative opinion. The UK also partook in trade with Germany, which required them to have a functional economy, so weakening this further likely negatively affected the UK. Also, reparations payments were owed to the UK as well, however France were really the only ones benefitting from the Ruhr occupation, so may have seen this as unfair.
What were the main things France wanted from Germany at the Paris Peace Conference?
France wanted the return of territories lost in 1871 (Alsace Lorraine) It also wanted Germany generally to lose as much territory as possible to weaken it in any future wars. They demanded a large reparation and German disarmament as they were very worried about future German invasions.
What were the main things the UK wanted from Germany at the Paris Peace Conference?
The UK wanted overseas colonies from Germany as it was primarily a naval power. It wanted some reparations but was more lenient with the French, particularly after the initial anger over the war subsided after the first year of negotiations. It feared a weak Germany would make Soviet expansion possible. Lastly, they wanted a strong trade relationship with Germany with they feared too harsh a reparation demand would make impossible.
What were the main things the US wanted from Germany at the Paris Peace Conference?
The US was really divided in two, President Wilson vs the public. Wilson wanted to establish self-determination, democracy and a League of Nations to settle global disputes, making war impossible. He also needed to sell the war to the US public as a crusade for democracy rather than a war for the British Empire. The US public viewed the war as a mistake and wanted to stay out of future engagements.
What did France not get that it in the Paris Peace Conference that it wanted and who objected?
France did not get Germany dismembered as some initially wanted. The Rhineland was demilitarized, not independent. The reparations bill was considered too low as it would not pay for all the damage France suffered. The UK didn’t want the German economy to crash as they wanted to trade. They did not get a permanent alliance with the UK and US. Neither to US nor UK wanted to be involved in another war. France was very wary of Germany as Germany was still the larger, more industrial country and France feared being left alone with a more powerful, vengeful country.
What did the UK not get that it in the Paris Peace Conference that it wanted and who objected?
In general, the UK was fairly happy with the treaty, but it had disputes with the French who wanted more than the UK was willing to give. They also were unhappy about America’s insistence they pay war debts immediately and that the US didn’t join the League, leaving them to police the world alone.
What did the US not get that it in the Paris Peace Conference that it wanted and who objected?
Wilson was not happy that the principle of self-determination was mostly applied only when it benefitted the UK and France politically. He had hoped other countries than Germany would disarm as well. He was very disappointed the US did not join the League.
