WW1 peace agreements Flashcards
Armistice
An agreement to stop fighting
November 11, armistice signed WWI was officially over.
Paris Peace Conference
The Big Four meet to discuss what peace will look like
1. Woodrow Wilson (U.S.)
2. George Clemenceau (France)
3. David Lloyd George (Britain)
4. Vittorio Orlando (Italy)
Germany had no representation at the conference
Now What
Total war pushed people to rationalize war:
● Their view of morality and society was worth sacrificing dying for
● Governments used propaganda to falsify the victories of war to keep people emotionally invested
How do people go back to peacetime after this heavy use of ultranationalism?
● Huge destruction of infrastructure in Europe
● Enormous death toll on both sides
Trench Warfare
Between battles, a unit spent about 10 days a month in the trench system
Rarely more than three days right up on the front line.
It was not unusual to be out of the line for a month in England
France
Prime Minister Clemenceau wanted to punish Germany and made three demands to ensure war never happened again:
● Return Alsace-Lorraine (taken during Franco-Prussian War)
● Pay reparations to cover the entire cost of rebuilding
● Give up Rhineland so Germany cannot attack France again
England
Many in England wanted to punish Germany for the hardships they experienced. “Squeeze ‘em until the pips squeak”
Prime Minister David Lloyd George disagreed:
● If Germany was treated too harshly it will cause more trouble in the future; Germany should be allowed to recover
● Enlightened self-interest: helping others meet their needs will eventually help you
Canada
Although Canada did not get to choose to enter the war, they were granted a seat at the Conference
This was awarded to Canada for the recognition of the nations success in the War and would contribute to the shifting identity of Canada
Italy
Italy had entered the war on the side of the Triple Alliance but mid war was enticed to change sides and would finish the war on the side of the Entente (Allies).
England promised to return land that Italy desired if they changed sides and this was the only demand that Italy prioritized post war.
Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points
In January 1918, even before WWI ended, President Wilson had drawn up a series of peace proposals. He called them the Fourteen Points. They outlined a plan for achieving a just and lasting peace.
1. Limitations of arms
2. An end to all secret alliances
3. Self-determination - restored freedom to some lands and creation of
other independent lands
4. League of Nations - An international assembly of nations: goal to
keep peace among nations.
Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points
Wilson examines the key points of aggression that contributed to the kick off of WWI.
Contrary to the common belief that imperialism was necessary for national success Wilson instead supports the establishment of a system that recognizes claims of independence from colonized peoples.
The Treaty of Versailles
When the Paris Peace Conference opened, Britain and France showed little sign of agreeing to Wilson’s Fourteen Points. They were concerned with national security. They also wanted to strip Germany of its war-making power.
These differences in French, British, and U.S. aims led to heated debates. But finally a compromise was reached.
The Treaty of Versailles between Germany and the Allied powers was signed on June 28, 1919
War Guilt Clause
Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles:
Germany must take all responsibility
for starting WWI and had to pay for
all damages Army
Germany had to pay $33 billion for the damage done during the war
BRAT
War Guilt Clause
Germany was forbidden to have submarines or an air force. She could have a navy of only six battleships, and an Army of just 100,000 men.
Germany was not allowed to place any troops in the Rhineland, the strip of land, 80 km wide, next to France.
War Guilt Clause
Germany was forced to relinquish all colonies and many territories within Germany.
Germany lost:
● Crucial mining land in the Saar Valley
● Rich farmland of Possen
● Alsace-Lorraine
● All Colonies outside of Germany
Germany was also banned from forming future alliances with Austria
German Reaction to the Treaty of Versailles
Unrepresented
Not allowed to join League of Nations Forced to accept terms - diktat
Angry with armed forces reductions Injustice - War guilt, loss of land etc Reparations - set too high
The League of Nations
Precursor to the United Nations a supranational organization with the specific goal of maintaining peace.
- A neutral platform to resolve international disputes
Why was the creation of a neutral platform an integral step in the era of rising nationalism?
Despite Wilson’s call for its creation, the US did not join the league
