The Treaty of Versailles

The Paris Peace Conference: Terms and Conditions of German

Surrender

The Palace of Versailles, France

Canada at the Conference

Prime Minister Robert Borden demanded that Canada be represented at this conference as a separate nation – the world recognized Canada’s major contribution to the war effort. Robert Borden

“The Big Four” at the Paris Peace Conference

From left to right: David Lloyd George (Britain), Vittorio Orlando (Italy), Georges Clemenceau (France), and Woodrow Wilson (United States of America)

The main decisions were made by France, America, and Great Britain. The Treaty was designed to weaken Germany so that it could not wage another war.

Terms of the Treaty: Military

Germany gave up most of its weapons, ships, u-boats, and was forced to limit its army to 100 000 soldiers.

Terms: Territory

Germany lost large amounts of territory to France, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Austria. The map of Europe was re-drawn.

The “War Guilt Clause”

Germany was forced to accept total and sole responsibility for causing the war. This was seen by the Germans as a national humiliation and made them very angry.

Reparation Payments

Germany would have to pay $33 billion in reparations for the damage the war had done. German territory had been totally immune from damage, while large areas of France and Belgium had been devastated.

George Edmund Butler's painting Zonnebeke (completed about 1918) captures the devastated Belgian landscape in the aftermath of the great battles of 1917.

Reactions to the Treaty of Versailles - Germany

German representatives were shocked, and at first refused to sign. The Allies threatened to re-start the war, and resume a naval blockade on materials entering Germany. So Germany signed the treaty –but they weren’t happy about it!

Reactions…Canada

Prime Minister Robert Borden admitted the Treaty was harsh, but believed it should be harsh. Britain’s general view was the same.

Canadian Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden

Reactions…America

President Woodrow Wilson argued for a policy of forgiveness toward the defeated nations, but had little power because America joined the war so late.

American President: Woodrow Wilson

Reactions…France

French negotiators wanted to be sure that Germany would never again be a threat – they wanted an ever tougher treaty.

Georges Clemenceau – President of France

Consequences of the Treaty

French General in Chief of Allied Armies commented on the Treaty…

“This is not a peace treaty; it is an armistice of 20 years.”

He was right: Adolf Hitler started World War II just 20 years and one month later.

Source: DesRivieres, Denis, et al. Experience History: Canada Since WWI. Don Mills: Oxford University Press, 2006.

Adolf Hitler

Exit TicketWhat was the Treaty of Versailles?

Homework QuestionWhy was all of the blame for WWI placed

on Germany? Was this fair? Why or why not? Please discuss in a ½ page paragraph.