PEACEMAKING: Terms of the Treaties

January, 1919 Victorious countries convene in Paris. Versailles has 32 nations involved. Russia in revolution 1917: Tsar overthrown 1918: Treaty of Brest-Litovsk ending the war with Germany 1917-22: Civil War – Red Army vs White Army

Terms of the Treaties - Versailles Creation of the League of Nations Clause 231: “The War Guilt Clause” Germany held solely (along with her allies) accountable for the war Clause 232: Germany must compensate “all of the damage done to the civilian population of the Allied and Associated Powers.” Amount not released until May 1921: $50 billion USD

Terms of the Treaties - Versailles Germany loses 10% of its land, 12.5% of its population to other countries in the region: Alsace-Lorraine returned to France Saarland (heavy in coal and iron) placed under League Control ***just wait!*** The Rhineland is demilitarized over the following 15 years Poland is given a “corridor” so that they can access the Baltic Sea, splitting Germany in two Germany had to return lands that they acquired through Brest-Litovsk, creating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

Map of the region: 1919

France’s concerns France worries that this is not enough to protect them, so Wilson signs the Anglo-American Treaty that protects them if they ever attacked. This is not ratified in the US Senate Later proves difficult for Britain

Poland The nation of Poland is created through this treaty “Polish Corridor” – splits up Germany and East Prussia “Curzon Line” – Poland’s original border with the USSR, but as they are in a Civil War, they move into the region. They soon pushed back (see map)

League of Nations Mandates The League of Nations sets up “mandates” These are regions and countries that were previously under German control that are being granted self-determination More information to come

Disarmament German military limited to 100,000 troops Enlisted men must serve 12 years, officers 25 years The navy, airforce and major artillery (tanks, etc) greatly limited / negligible

Anschluss Anschluss: the union between Austria and Germany Greatly favoured by the people of Austria A plebiscite held in 1919 showed that people in Austria in favour of joining Germany Writers of Versailles would not let this happen Later became Nazi propaganda in the region; unified under Hitler in 1938

Paris Peace Conference Other treaties signed: Treaty of St Germain Treaty of Trianon Treaty of Neuilly Treaty of Sevres Now it’s YOUR turn…