Treaty of Versailles

Paris Peace Conference - 1919

“Big Three”

Britain - David Lloyd-George

France - Georges Clemenceau (the Tiger)

USA - Woodrow Wilson

Italy - Vittorio Orlando

Woodrow Wilsonwanted to prevent another world warFourteen Pointsself-determinationdid not want to leave Germany craving revenge

Fourteen Points

point 14 called for the creation of the League of Nations

self-determination

new countries were to be created along ethnic lines

PolandAustria-HungaryYugoslavia

David Lloyd-George

to maintain Britain’s naval supremacypublic pressure to punish Germany (effect of wartime propaganda) Many in Britain (having seen their husbands, sons and friends killed in the war) wanted revenge. A popular saying was "Squeeze them until the pips squeak".

Georges Clemenceau

“the Tiger”to guarantee France’s security with a buffer zone between Germany and Francelandreparations ($)

Vittorio Orlando

land from Austria-Hungaryreparations ($)

Germany lost...1/8 of her land6,000,000 peopleall her coloniesAlsace-LorraineSaar BasinRhinelandPolish Corridor

Germany also lost...

65% iron ore45% coal72% zinc57% lead ore15% agriculture10% manufacturing plants25% rubber supply

Germany also lost...airforce

navy (scuttled)army (except 100,000 troops)

Germany also lost...

government -- the Weimar Republic replaced the previous government

Germany also lost…$$$

reparation payments were set at $33,000,000,000

War Guilt Clause

Article 231 of the Treaty of VersaillesGermany took responsibility for starting WWI and had to pay for all damagereparation payments were set at 33 billion dollars

The United States

did not ratify the Treaty of Versaillesthey did not want to be the world’s policeman

German reaction...

Why were Germans unhappy with the Treaty of Versailles?

German reaction to Treaty of VersaillesUnrepresented

Not allowed to join League of NationsForced to accept terms - diktatAngry with armed forces reductionsInjustice - War guilt, loss of land etcReparations - set too high

Clemenceau, the VampireClemenceau, the Vampire

Interpreting a cartoon

How do I interpret this cartoon?How do I interpret this cartoon?

1. Context – what was

happening at the time?

2. Content – what is

happening in the

cartoon?

3. Comment – what is the

meaning of the

cartoon?

Context – what was happening at the time?• Germany had just been defeated

in WWI.

• The Treaty of Versailles was signed in1919.

• It had been written by the ‘Big Three’ and imposed on Germany.

• Clemenceau wanted to ruin Germany

• The Treaty blamed Germany for the war

• The Treaty made her pay ‘reparations’ for ALL the damage.

• Germany lost lots of land.

• Germany lost her armed forces.

• The Germans hated the Treaty.

Content – what is happening in the picture?

A young girl, beautiful but weak

An evil-looking vampire...

… which is sucking the girl’s blood

Weapons laid aside.

Two bats outside the window – more vampires.

The window is open – the curtains are blowing.

Comment – what is the meaning of the picture?

• Germany is helpless to defend herself.

weakenedgirl

Vampire

Sucking

blood

Window open

Two more bats

Discarded weapons

• Germany

• Clemenceau

• Taking reparations

• Germany’s army had been disbanded by the Treaty of Versailles.

• Britain and America

Think:

1. How old would a child born in 1919 be by 1940?

2. What is this cartoonist suggesting about the Treaty of Versailles?

This cartoon was made in 1920

•1. List the New nations of Europe post WW I

•2. Who were the Big Four? What were the aims of each one?

•3. List seven territories that changed hands after WW I

•4. How did the aims of Wilson conflict with the aims of the other victorious European leaders?

•5. What does self-determination mean? Give an example of how it was applied both positively and negatively.

•6. How did Wilson hope to guarantee world peace?

•7. Note how the treaty affected:

• German military

• German territory

• German economy

• German colonial possessions

•8. Define Article 231, Reparations, War Guilt

•9. Why did the USA fail to ratify the Treaty of Versailles?

Questions