Peacemaking How did the Treaty of Versailles establish peace?

The Paris Peace Conference WWI Armistice 11 th November 1918 Leaders of victorious countries meet in Paris, 1919 Delegates of 32 countries attended. Defeated powers were not allowed to attend and Russia was also unrepresented. Main decisions made by the ‘Big Three’

France: Georges Clemenceau Demanded the harshest terms French public wanted revenge and security Desired German disarmament, return of Alsace-Lorraine, reparations

Britain: David Lloyd George Won 1918 General Election: ‘Hang the Kaiser’, ‘Make Germany Pay’. British public and press demanded harsh treatment of Germany. Lloyd George wanted to preserve the supremacy of the British navy and prevent too harsh a settlement.

USA: Woodrow Wilson USA fought in WWI for four months, although they had declared war in Wilson believed that Germany was responsible for the outbreak of war, but wanted a lasting peace. Fourteen Point Plan: self- determination, international co-operation, League of Nations.

Territorial Changes  Alsace and Lorraine were returned to France  The provinces of Eupen and Malmedy were given to Belgium, after plebiscites (a national vote)  North Schleswig was transferred to Denmark, after a plebiscite  The Saar Coalfield was put under the control of the League of Nations for 15 years. In this time France would be able to take the coal. After this period, a plebiscite would be held.

 An independent Poland was created, this had been destroyed in the 1700s. The German provinces of west Prussia and Posen were included in this new country, this became known as the Polish ‘Corridor’ and gave Poland access to the Baltic Sea. The port of Danzig was made a free city under the League of Nations, with foreign policy under Polish control. There was a mainly German population in Danzig, but it provided Poland with a port.  Upper Silesia was divided between Germany and Poland, after a plebiscite.  The port of Memel was to be ruled by the League. This was taken by Lithuania in 1923.

 Gains from the Treaty of Brest- Litovsk had to be given up. This land went mostly to Poland, but also to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.  The union of Austria and Germany (Anschluss) was forbidden. Overall, Germany lost 28,000 square miles of territory and 6m people in Europe. Lost all overseas colonies (1m square miles) – run as ‘mandates’ by the victors.

Military Restrictions  The German Army was limited to 100,000 men. Conscription was forbidden.  Tanks and military aircraft were banned.  The German Navy was limited to 15,000 men, six battleships and no submarines. The Rhineland was demilitarised. This area remained German, but no German troops or weapons were allowed within 50km of the River Rhine.

War Guilt Germany was forced to accept responsibility for causing the war in Clause 231 of the Treaty. This legally gave the Allies justification for demanding reparations payments. It also served as moral condemnation of German actions.

Reparations Treaty established that reparations should be paid. Reparations Commission set up. In 1921 it set the figure at £6,600 million to be paid over 42 years.

Objections to the Treaty Diktat (dictated peace) – Only given three weeks to protest, minor alterations made. Germans such as Hitler argued that it was not morally binding. Could they have expected better? Loss of land – Lost over 10% of land and people. 1.5m German speakers under Polish rule. Polish Corridor split Germany in two. No plebiscites in Polish Corridor or Danzig. Distribution of colonies seen as unfair.

Military Restrictions – humiliating, not enough for defence or to maintain order. Fourteen points called for lower levels of armaments, but only Germany was forced to comply. War Guilt – a particularly resented clause. Kaiser had abdicated, was it fair to punish the new democratic government for his actions? Reparations – far too high. J.M. Keynes warned of the dangers. Caused international crises and resentment in the 1920s and 30s.

Strengths and Weaknesses Established peace and League of Nations. BUT When Germany recovered, they would seek to challenge the Treaty. Too much faith in the League to keep peace – USA never joined. Some argue it was too lenient – Austria-Hungary was split up post-war. Germany was still larger than France (60m vs. 40m people)

Key Questions Which peacemaker achieved most? Which terms upset Germany most? What were the strengths and weaknesses?