The treaty of Versailles

Question 1

What did Clemenceau want at Versailles? (1919)

Answer 1

• REVENGE! He wanted to economically crush Germany, and therefore wanted very high reparations fees
• For the Rhineland to become an independent state so that they no longer had to share a common border with Germany
• Return of Alsace-Lorraine to France, and transfer of Saar Basin
• Self interest/safety, Germany attacked France twice in the past 50 years, he wanted to make sure it would not happen again

Question 2

What did Wilson want at Versailles? (1919)

Answer 2

• He wanted a fair treatment to ensure lasting peace, so that Germany would not seek revenge
• Wanted to form a league, where there could be international cooperation with countries working together to peacefully settle their disputes
• His fourteen points system
• Also had not suffered as many losses, was more of an onlooker (100,000 in usa)(2,000,000 dead in France)(1m britain)

Question 3

Name some of Wilson’s fourteen points

Answer 3

• Free navigation of the seas
• Self determination for nations (let them decide their own futures)
• Creation of the League of Nations
• No more secret treaties (open diplomacy)

Question 4

What were some of Lloyd George’s aims at Versailles? (1919)

Answer 4

• Did not want too harsh of a punishment, as he did not want Germany to seek revenge, and Germany was a valuable trading partner that they did not want to lose with too high reparations fees
• Persuaded Clemenceau to make key concessions to ensure that France didn’t become the dominant power in Europe
• Wanted Germany to keep the Rhineland, where much of its industry was located

Question 5

What was the war guilt clause?

Answer 5

• One of the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles

- Germany was forced to take total responsibility for starting the war

Question 6

Was were reparations?

Answer 6

• One of the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles
• Germany had to accept liability for the damage caused by war and pay reparations fees
• The figure was decided in 1921 and set at £6,600 million (stopped paying in 2010)

Question 7

What was the League of Nations?

Answer 7

• One of the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles
• A league where international countries could settle disputes peacefully, without conflict
• Germany was banned from entry
• Even though it was Wilson’s idea, congress voted against the USA becoming a member

Question 8

What was disarmament?

Answer 8

• One of the main terms of the League of Nations
• The Germany was limited to 100,000 men, conscription banned
• Bo tanks or heavy artillery, military, naval airforce, submarines permitted
• navy restricted to 36 warships

Question 9

What was the Rhineland?

Answer 9

• One of the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles
• The Rhineland was to become a demilitarised zone, German troops were not allowed in the area as it formed the boedsd between Germany and France
• Additional allied army of occupation on the west bank of the Rhineland for 15 years

Question 10

What happened to Alsace-Lorraine?

Answer 10

-It was returned to France, Clemenceau got what he wanted

Question 11

What happened to the Saar Basin?

Answer 11

• It was administered by the League of Nations for 15 years
• After 15 years a plebiscite would be held to decide if it should belong to France, Germany or remain in League control (NOT what Clemenceau had wanted)