Lecture Notes: The Versailles Peace Conference and Treaty of Versailles

Major Participants and Their Aims:

USA:

• Woodrow Wilson (President)
  • Idealist, wanted a better world.
  • Proposed "14 Points" aimed at peace, which included:
    • Self-determination
    • Open diplomacy
    • World disarmament
    • League of Nations
  • Wanted lenient peace; faced US isolationism.

France:

• Georges Clemenceau (Prime Minister)
  • Wanted harsh terms to prevent future German threats.
  • Sought economic, military, territorial terms.
  • High public expectation for a harsh treaty as revenge.

UK:

• David Lloyd George
  • Wanted less severe settlement that weakened but did not cripple Germany.
  • Aimed to maintain Germany as a trading partner and a barrier to Bolshevism.
  • Public pressure for accountability.

Italy:

• Aimed to maximize wartime gains.
• Felt betrayed by unfulfilled promises in the Treaty of London.

Japan:

• Wanted recognition of gains and a racial equality clause.

Germany:

• Excluded from negotiations.
• Expected terms based on Wilson's points but faced harsh penalties.

Terms and Effects of the Treaty of Versailles:

Article 231 - War Guilt Clause:

• Germany accepted full responsibility for the war.
• Justified reparations; deeply resented in Germany.

Disarmament:

• Limited military capabilities for Germany.
• No submarines, airforce, or tanks.
• Army limited to 100,000 voluntary soldiers.

Territorial Changes:

• Return of Alsace-Lorraine to France.
• Creation of new states; Polish Corridor for Poland.
• Germany lost colonies, impacting resources and reparations.

Economic Reparations:

• Germany was to pay for war damages.
• Reparations amount was financially crippling.

Geopolitical Impacts:

• Division of Europe; new states struggled with governance.
• Minority groups left under foreign rule.
• Decline of powers like Britain and France; rise of USA.

Social Impacts:

• Women's rights gained some traction (suffrage movements).
• Health and welfare improvements post-war.

League of Nations:

• Aimed for peace via collective security.
• Faced weaknesses: non-membership of major powers like USA.
• Lacked enforcement power without its armed forces.
• Failed in crises like the Manchurian and Abyssinian incidents.

Ruhr Crisis (1923):

• France occupied Ruhr due to Germany's default on reparations.
• Led to hyperinflation in Germany; political instability.

Dawes Plan (1924):

• US loans helped stabilize Germany's economy.

Great Depression (1929):

• Global economic collapse; led to rise of extremist governments.
• Affected international relations and fostered protectionism.

Manchurian Crisis (1931):

• Japan invaded Manchuria; League's inaction showed its weakness.
• Set a precedent for further aggression by powers like Italy.

Abyssinian Crisis (1935):

• Italy's invasion of Abyssinia; League's failure to respond effectively.
• Damaged credibility of collective security.

Conclusion:

• The Treaty of Versailles had far-reaching effects on international relations.
• Set the stage for future conflicts and the rise of totalitarian regimes.