Treaty of Versailles

1. Treaty of Versailles

2. Versailles Overview • 32 victorious countries met at the Palace of Versailles (just outside Paris, France) • Because of our strong role in the war effort, Canada was represented as a single nation at the meetings & at the official treaty signing. • Main decisions were made by the so-called “Big Three” (Britain, France, USA) • Germany was not invited to the peace talks

3. The Big Three • United States….Woodrow Wilson • Great Britain….David Lloyd George • France….George Clemenceau

4. U.S Post War World • Wanted settlement to ensure lasting peace • Defeated countries should be treated fairly • Wilson’s “fourteen points” included free trade & disarmament • League of Nations be set up to settle future disputes by promoting cooperation between countries Woodrow Wilson

5. British Post War World • British had lost many citizens in the war • British citizens wanted Germany to pay for what they had done • PM felt a harsh treaty might cause bitterness that would cause Germany to seek revenge in the future David Lloyd George

6. French Post War World • Wanted to avoid another war • Thought Germany should pay for starting the war & the damage caused in the war • He wanted to ensure that Germany was too weak to ever attack France again Georges Clemenceau

7. Terms of Treaty • 1)Germany had to admit full responsibility for starting the war. This was Clause 231 - the infamous "War Guilt Clause". • 2)Germany had to pay reparations (6.6 billion Pounds), the bulk of which would go to France & Belgium to pay for the damage done to the infrastructure of both countries by the war. (Clause 232) • 3)A League of Nations was set up to keep world peace.

8. Terms of Treaty (cont’d) • 4)Germany not permitted an air force, the army was not allowed tanks. • German army reduced to 100 000 men. • Germany only allowed 6 naval ships and no submarines. • 5)All German colonies taken away and Germany reduced in size

10. REVIEW