Treaty of Versailles Flashcards
which nations were not present at the Paris Peace Conference
The defeated nations (including Germany) and Soviet Russia
When did the Paris Peace Conference begin
January 1919
Who were the Big Three
GB: PM Lloyd-George
France: PM Clemencau
USA: President Woodrow Wilson
What were Clemenceau’s priorities
Defending France
- return of land previously lost to Germany
- action regarding Alsace-Lorraine, the Saarland and the Rhineland
- Germany to be punished harshly + prevented from waging war again
when did France originally lose land to Germany
1871 Franco-Prussian war
What were Lloyd-George’s priorities
- “just and firm” peace that did not create a desire for revenge in Germany
- Germany to pay for starting the war (he insisted on chairing a committee at Versailles to investigate how much Germany should pay)
- a share of Germany’s territories to strengthen Britain’s global position
- strengthen Britain’s navy which was important for protecting their empire (therefore he supported restricting Germany’s navy to 36 ships)
- economic revival in Europe (Germany included), which would prevent war
what did Woodrow Wilson want
- peace based on his 14 points
- increased international cooperation and negotiating rather than using violence as a tool to settle differences
what were Woodrow Wilson’s 14 points
- No more secret agreements between countries. Diplomacy shall be open to the world.
- International seas shall be free to navigate during peace and war.
- There shall be free trade between the countries who accept the peace.
- There shall be a worldwide reduction in weapons and armies by all countries.
- Colonial claims over land and regions will be fair.
- Russia will be allowed to determine its own form of government. All German troops will leave Russian soil.
- German troops will evacuate Belgium and Belgium will be an independent country.
- France will regain all territory including the disputed land of Alsace-Lorraine.
- The borders of Italy will be established such that all Italians will be within the country of Italy.
- Austria-Hungary will be allowed to continue to be an independent country.
- The Central Powers will evacuate Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania leaving them as independent countries.
- The Turkish people of the Ottoman Empire will have their own country. Other nationalities under the Ottoman rule will also have security.
- Poland shall be an independent country.
- A League of Nations will be formed that protects the independence of all countries no matter how big or small.
What was the Peace Settlement of 1919-1920
The 5 peace treaties signed with the defeated powers after WW1:
Versailles (Germany) St Germain (Austria) Trianon (Hungary) Sevres (Turkey) Neuilly (Bulgaria)
What was the Peace Settlement of 1919-1920
The 5 peace treaties signed with the defeated powers after WW1:
Versailles (Germany) St Germain (Austria) Trianon (Hungary) Sevres (Turkey) Neuilly (Bulgaria)
What was anschluss
the term given to the unification of Germany with its neighbour, Austria
What were the main terms of the treaty of Versailles (7 points)
- war guilt clause (Germany must take full responsibility for starting the war)
- Germany must accept liability for the damage caused by the war and pay reparations (£6,600 million)
- Rhineland must be demilitarised
- Anschluss was forbidden
- disarmament: army limited to 100,000 men, conscription was banned, navy limited to 36 warships, forbidden from possessing any tanks or airforce
- loss of territories in Europe
- Germany’s colonies became mandates of the League of Nations
The treaty of Versailles was negotiated with Germany. True or False
False. The terms of the treaty were presented to the German delegation at the peace conference in May 1919
Describe the military restrictions placed on Germany as a result of the treaty of Versailles
army limited to 100,000 men, conscription was banned, navy limited to 36 warships, forbidden from possessing any tanks or airforce
How much was Germany meant to pay in reparations
£6,600 million