Treaty Of Versailles Flashcards
When was the treaty of Versailles
What was it for
Conference started January 1919
Main leaders - Lloyd George, Clemenceau, Woodrow Wilson big 3
Germany not invited to take part in discussions
Agreement reached June 1919
To establish the terms of the German surrender in terms of land, money, punishment and limits on armed forces
What were the main terms
Germany lost Alsace Loraine to France
Lost West Prussia to Poland creating polish corridor
Germany not allowed to unite with Austria
Sudetenland given to Czechoslovakia
and Rhineland was demilitarised
Its army was limited to 100,000 men, navy only 6 battleships and no planes or tanks
Germany paid damages of £6.6bn - reparations as a fine for what the war cost to the allies
Germany were blamed for the war -clause 231
Who was negotiating with Germany and what were the aims of each party
Britain , France, USA, Italy, Japan against Germany
Britain wanted punishment but not too harsh
France wanted heavy punishment and pay back
USA wanted peace and light punishment - wanted League of Nations but did not join
Germany wanted reduced punishment. And not to be blamed
Why was it needed
What was Germany’s role in treaty
Ww1 cost 20 Million lives. There was anger and blame and punishment.
Germany were only invited to observe and had to sign but not take part in discussions- had to explain decisions to German population
German borders never crossed so many Germans thought they never lost but just agreed to stop
Do not agree to punishment when they fought so well.
But German army was out of suppliers and would have collapsed so sign the armistice
How was the treaty viewed in Germany
Germany thought it was terrible and a national tragedy
Germany thought the allies were vindictive about the land and fine
Germany thought it was dangerous with no consideration about its consequences
Germany wanted its government to stand up and make Germany great again
How was it viewed by the allies - bad views
Woodrow Wilson, American president “we have thus done a great wrong” “how big a burden we have placed on the German people”
David Lloyd George British prime minister “ we shall have to fight another war again in 25 years time “
“The conditions imposed on Germany were ruthlessly applied to the limit of her endurance”
J Warburton author “it put Germany in a situation it couldn’t get out of”
How it was viewed - good views
1927 reporter “ the treaty was an an amazing feat. In six months three old men created a new Europe from the ruins of the old”
“No better attempt could have been made”
