The Treaty of Versailles The Big Four at

The Treaty of Versailles The Big Four at the End of the War

The End of the War n In July 1918, Allied forces broke through the western front n Kaiser Wilhelm is told Germany can’t win the war; on Nov 9, 1918 he abdicated & the German Weimar Republic is formed n Other Central Powers surrendered

The End of the War n On November 11, 1918—an armistice ended the fighting

11 a. m. , November 11, 1918

Effects of the War n Total War—the enemy is the other “nation” (not just its army); it is OK to attack civilians & use blockades; new weapons are used to kill the enemy; a nation devotes all energy to war effort n As a result of the war, government leaders are removed in Russia, Germany, Austria, Hungary n Countries are broke because they spent all their money on the war

Effects of the War n Terrible death & destruction: – 65 -70 million soldiers were sent to fight; 8. 5 million died; 21 million wounded; 7. 75 million missing in action –Casualty Rates—Russia (76%), France (73%), Germany (65%), Austria-Hungary (90%) –War destroyed towns, farm land, & buildings

Paris Peace Conference n In Jan 1919, 27 nations met in France to work out a treaty to officially end the war—Paris Peace Conference n Big Four: –US—Woodrow Wilson –France—Georges Clemenceau –England—David Lloyd George –Italy—Vittorio Orlando

George (GB) Orlando (Italy) Clemenceau (France) Wilson (US)

n Prime France Minister Clemenceau wanted to punish Germany; Made 3 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

n Many England in England wanted to punish Germany too: “Squeeze ‘em until the pips squeak”; but 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 –Rhineland should be demilitarized (military removed), not taken over

n Prime Italy Minister Orlando had agreed to leave the Triple Alliance (with Germany & Austria-Hungary) & fight for Allies after France & England secretly promised to give Adriatic Coast to Italy after the war; Italy’s only demand: –France & England should keep their promise to give this land to Italy

United States n Prez Woodrow Wilson came up with 14 Points of Light to restore Europe: –Europe should have freedom of seas, free trade; Reduction of weapons; Divide all colonies –Self Determination—countries should have right to choose their own type of government –Create a League of Nations to prevent future wars

Paris Peace Conference Simulating the Negotiations of the Treaty of Versailles

Treaty of Versailles n Signed June 28, 1919; 3 main topics: –Military –Money –Territory

Treaty of Versailles: Military n Germany was forced to: –Reduce its army to 100, 000 men –Reduce its navy to 6 warships; no submarines; destroy its entire airforce –No soldiers or military equipment allowed within 30 miles of the Rhineland –Cannot manufacture war materials

Treaty of Versailles: Money n Germany forced to: –Sign “War Guilt Clause” accepting total responsibility for WW 1 –Pay $31 Billion in reparations to Allies over 30 years for damage; many felt this was too much & would destroy German economy

Treaty of Versailles: Territory n Germany was forced to give up land to the Allies; give up all overseas colonies, & give up Polish Corridor (separates Prussia from Germany) n Italy didn’t get Adriatic Coast; used to form Yugoslavia (Serbia+Bosnia) n New countries (from Russia): Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland; n New countries (from Austria. Hungary): Czechoslovakia, Hungary

Germany after Versailles n The new democratic government called the Weimar Republic signed the Treaty of Versailles n Most Germans felt humiliated: –Stabbed in back by those who signed the armistice –Not allowed a say in treaty –Punishment was too severe –Why was only Germany to blame for the war?

Created a League of Nations

Treaty of Versailles

Results of Versailles n Treaty of Versailles created more problems than it solved n Riots, debt, humiliation in Germany will allow leaders (Hitler) to rise to power by promising revenge n Italy was not given land it was promised; economic problems will lead to strong leaders who promise a return to glory (Mussolini)

n VERSAILLES