The Treaty of Versailles, 1919

Overview

• World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
• A conference was held in Paris in January 1919, involving 32 countries to negotiate peace.
• The proceedings were dominated by the Big Three:
  • David Lloyd George (Britain)
  • George Clemenceau (France)
  • Woodrow Wilson (USA)
• Germany was not invited to the negotiations.

Goals of the Big Three

• Each leader had different objectives for Germany, influenced by their countries' experiences during the war.

Woodrow Wilson (USA)

• Advocated against harsh punishment for Germany.
• Aimed to prevent future wars by creating the League of Nations based on his 14 Points.
• Believed it was important not to destroy Germany or place blame on them for the war.

George Clemenceau (France)

• Desired severe punishment reflecting the damage Germany inflicted on France.
• Key objectives:
  • Return of Alsace-Lorraine to France
  • An independent Rhineland
  • No League of Nations involvement
  • Huge reparations from Germany
  • Disbandment of the German army to prevent future aggression.

David Lloyd George (Britain)

• Held a middle-ground position.
• Aimed for punishment that satisfied those wanting to make Germany pay, while ensuring Germany remained strong enough to trade.
• Emphasized the need to safeguard Britain's naval supremacy.

Signing of the Treaty

• When the Treaty of Versailles was finalized, Germany was presented with the document without negotiation.
• Their rebuttal was ignored.
• On June 28, 1919, German representatives were forced to sign the treaty at the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles.

Further Study

• To learn about the specific terms of the Treaty of Versailles and its long-term effects on Germany, refer to part 2 of this series.
• Additional resources available in the video series and the book "Simple History, World War I" on Amazon.