The Paris Peace Conference and the League of Nations

Overview

• The Paris Peace Treaties officially ended WWI.
• Treaty of Versailles was particularly disliked in Germany.
• The League of Nations was established to improve international cooperation and prevent further wars, but its impact was limited.

Key Figures: The Big Three

• David Lloyd George (Britain)
• Georges Clemenceau (France)
• Woodrow Wilson (USA)

Aims of the Big Three

Wilson's Aims

• Create a League of Nations based on his Fourteen Points to end wars.
• Ensure Germany was not destroyed.
• Opposed the Guilt Clause blaming Germany for the war.

Clemenceau's Aims

• Punish Germany and ensure it was too weak to attack France again.
• Return Alsace-Lorraine to France.
• Accepted the League of Nations but wanted it strengthened to deal with Germany.
• Desired an independent Rhineland to weaken Germany.
• Demanded huge reparations and disbanding of the German army.

Lloyd George's Aims

• Appease electors who wanted Germany to pay but keep Germany strong enough for trade.
• Maintain Britain's naval supremacy.
• Sought a "just peace" balancing voter revenge and economic trade needs.

The Fontainebleau Memorandum

• Issued by Lloyd George on 25 March 1919.
• Warned that a harsh peace could lead to a hostile Germany.
• Highlighted divisions among the Big Three.
• Led to compromise: Allies occupying Rhineland for 15 years for French security.

Treaty of Versailles

• Germans were shown the proposed treaty without an option for negotiation.
• Germans argued it was unfair but were ignored.
• Signed on 28 June 1919 at the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles.

Additional Notes

• The Treaty of Versailles played a significant role in future international relations and set the stage for future conflicts.
• The League of Nations had mixed successes and failures in the 1920s and 1930s, impacting its effectiveness.

Important Links

• Treaty of Versailles and its impact on Germany
• Treaty of Versailles - key terms