What was the Treaty of Versailles?What was the Treaty of Versailles?

David Lloyd David Lloyd George – George – British PMBritish PM

George George Clemenceau Clemenceau – French – French PMPM

Woodrow Woodrow Wilson – Wilson – American American PresidentPresident

Britain, France and America met to decide how to create ‘Peace’ Britain, France and America met to decide how to create ‘Peace’ in Europe and how to punish Germany on the 28in Europe and how to punish Germany on the 28thth June 1919 June 1919

‘‘The Big 3’The Big 3’

GB. Lloyd George was in favour of a less severe settlement to that of the French. He wanted to ensure Germany could recover quickly and resume her role as a major customer of British goods. Why?Why?

The Paris Peace Conference met at the Palace of Versailles – The Hall of Mirrors.

Each country wanted Germany to be punished in different ways.

France wanted a harsh peace settlement to ruin Germany economically and militarily. Why is that?Why is that?

France wanted to Germany to pay Reparations (compensation) For what reason?For what reason?

USA was also in favour of a lenient peace settlement to be imposed on Germany.

Why do you think the Big 3 had different ideas on how to punish Germany?

What were the terms of the treaty?

Army reduced to 100 000

Navy of just 6 battle ships – no submarines

No air force

Land lost to Belgium, France, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Denmark

Lost overseas colonies

Reparations of £6.6 billion£6.6 billion

No military allowed in the Rhineland

Accept full blame for causing war – the War Guilt ClauseWar Guilt Clause

What aspects of the Treaty do you think Germans hated the most and why?

Why did Germans oppose it?

Why did they accept it?

Felt humiliated by it – had not negotiated it. Forced to accept it. Germans called it the DiktatDiktat.

Many did not believe Germany had lost war but had been betrayedbetrayed by politicians in Germany.

Made to accept blame, lost land, money – very difficult to recover from it

Had no choice!Had no choice! Accept the treaty or war will continue and Germany will suffer even more.

Germany was too weak and damaged by war to fight on.

Many Germans promised to get revengerevenge as soon as they could