The Treaty of Versailles The Who’s and What’s
The Big Four at the Paris Peace Talks (1919) Woodrow Wilson - President, United States Georges Clemenseau - Premier of France David Lloyd George - Prime Minister of Britain Vittorio Orlando – Foreign Minister of Italy
Woodrow Wilson Idealist - thought WWI would be “war to end all wars” Fourteen Points (plan for lasting peace) self-determination peace without victory disarmament fair treatment of colonial peoples League of Nations
Georges Clemenseau France had been destroyed in WWI wanted protection from further Germany attacks get rid of German military make Germany pay for war
David Lloyd George Most afraid of German u-boats wanted to get rid of German navy wanted German colonies wanted to get paid for losses
Vittorio Orlando Italy entered war because of promise of cities in Austria. Was given Tryrol and Trieste demanded more but when others refused he walked out. The Big Four became the Big Three
Treaty of Versailles 1919 Weimar Republic, German democratic government, was forced to sign it.
War Reparations $5 billion within 2 years $28 billion (after the damages were tallied)
German military 100,000 soldiers 6 warships no planes no submarines
War Guilt Clause Germany was the blame for starting the war. The most hated part of the treaty.
Mandate system Mandates - colonies of former Central Powers to be given to Allied nations To be given their independence sometime in future. From Ottoman Empire: Syria (France) Egypt and Palestine (Britain)
Borders changed New countries Czechoslovakia Poland (Polish corridor split Germany in two) Yugoslavia Latvia Estonia Finland http://www.learn.co.uk/versailles/1919/maps.htm