1. Using information and sources on pages 14 - 17, summarize the aims of the three leaders at the Paris Peace Conference.
Georges Clemenceau (France)
Attitude towards Germany:
His country was invaded twice by the Germans and killed a lot of the French army, and destroyed lots of it's industry, land and self-confidence, which was devastating to France and made France and Germany enemies. Germany was very powerful and threatening to many of the French.
Main Aim:
He was determined to never allow such devastation to France ever again, and he saw the Treaty of Versailles as an opportunity to cripple Germany so that it could not attack France again.
How he felt about the treaty
He was a realist, but knew that he would probably be forced to compromise on some issues by the US and Britain. Even so, he still demanded that the treaty weaken Germany as much as possible. (France and USA clashed ideas). In the end, France got it's way with Germany.
Woodrow Wilson (United States)
Attitude towards Germany:
Believed that Germany should be punished, but not that harshly. His view was if Germany was treated too harshly, then one day when they do recover, they would want revenge.
Main Aim:
Seen as an idealist and wanted to build a better and more peaceful world from the ruins of the war. Wilson's main aim was to strengthen democracy in the defeated nations so that its people would not let their leaders lead them into another war.
How he felt about the treaty
He did not cancel the debts owed to the USA by Britain and its allies so he could put pressure on them to accept his ideas (did not get pushed around). He though nations should cooperate if they wanted to achieve world peace, so he set up his Fourteen Points. Believed that self-determination would help the cause if all countries ruled themselves and countries formed a "League of Nations." (France and USA clashed ideas). In the end he had to give them )France and Britain their wishes for Germany, but he got his wish for self-determination for Europe.
David Lloyd George (Great Britain)
Attitude towards Germany:
He wants Germany to be punished, but not too harshly as well. Wants Germany to lose it's navy and it's colonies because they threatened the British empire. Does not want Germany to get revenge after they regain their strength.
Main Aim:
Stop Germany from being a threat to the British empire, but wants them to start trading again (meant jobs for the British people).
How he felt about the treaty:
He was in the middle of Clemenceau and Wilson's ideals. Wanted Germany to be punished, but not to the point where they would want revenge, so he is playing for both sides, but more towards France. (Punished Germany). Did not agree with some of Wilson's Fourteen points.
Main Terms of the Treaty of Versailles against Germany
2. Read pages 18 - 19. Summarize the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles:
War Guilt:
Germany was blamed for starting the Great War.
Reparations:
All three agreed that Germany had to pay reparations to the Allies for damage caused by the war (6, 600 million).
German Territories and Colonies:
Germany's overseas empire was taken away from them. It was the cause of bad relations between Britain and Germany before the war. German colonies became mandates owned by the "League of Nations," which meant that France and Britain controlled them. Forbade Germany from forming together with Austria and they had to change their European borders.
Germany's Armed Forces:
Germany's military power was a major concern for all powers, so they decided to knock it down a couple of levels by:
-Limiting their army to 100, 000 men.
-Conscription was banned: the men had to be volunteers.
-Germany was not allowed armoured vehicles, submarines or aircraft.
-Their navy could only build 6 battleships.
-The Rhineland became a demilitarized zone (border between Germany and France). No German troops allowed.
League of Nations:
Set up an "international police force" and Germany was not allowed into the League of Nations until it proved itself to be a peace-loving country.
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