Treaty of Versailles

Treaty of Versailles

1. 3 Leaders and their aims

   • Lloyd George-Britain-
     • ~Weaken Germany ~Punish Germany but not to harshly ~Later decided more moderate peace settlement
   • Clemensau-France-
     • ~Want reparations from Germany ~Wanted the Rhineland area ~Germany disarmament
   • Wilson-America-
     • ~Wilson hoped to promote the long-term stability of Europe by recognizing the principle of self-determination. ~ No secret treaties, German troops to leave Russia and free belgium

2. Difficulties the leaders had agreeing on the terms of the treaty.

   • France wanted many of Germanys parts as they suffered a lot but Britain also wanted a lot as they also suffered a lot so they also some of Germany's part. America wanted to promote self-determination
   • France also wanted many reparations from Germany but this would mean that Germany will become really poor and cant buy goods from Britain and Britain will be at loss because Germany is their main trading partner

3. The key terms of the treaty

   • ~War guilt clause -Germany and her allies had to accept total responsibility for starting the war
   • ~Reparations- Germany had to accept liability for reparations
   • Disarmament-The Rheinland was to become demilitarised and the profit would go to France
   • ~Territory- Germanys territory was taken away
   • Germany had to accept the covenant of League of Nations

4. Opposition to the treaty

   • Wilson was opposed to the treaty as the treaty was not how it wanted it to be. Things like self-determination as got given to Austria and Hungary for example.

5. Impact of the treaty

   • Germany
     • They thought it was too harsh
     • Protests against the treaty of Versailles
     • Treaty was a sign of dishonour, so signing the treaty was very humiliating for Germany. Therefore resorting to overthrow the government who signed the treaty and allowed a greater number to government officers assassinations
     • Germany had to pay so many reparations that they started to make a fake money and therefore the German money "mark" was considered worthless