The Treaty of Versailles National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md. Allied delegates in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles witness the German delegation's acceptance of the terms of the Treaty Of Versailles, the treaty formally ending World War I. Versailles, France, June 28, 1919

The Situation The Kaiser has abdicated and left Germany Political instability Millions of German workers have been killed or seriously injured during the war Those returning have no jobs

The Situation Germany has become an international pariah (outcast) Germany is subject to an imposed peace settlement

Treaty of Versailles Armistice- means ceasefire When was it signed? Where was the Conference Held? Big Three at the Conference Woodrow Wilson- United States Clemenceau- France Lloyd Georges- Great Britain Germany was not invited to the conference

Aims of the Big Three Woodrow Wilson- 14 points, make world safe for democracy, self-determination Clemenceau- wanted revenge, a weak Germany and reparations Lloyd Georges- wanted justice, not revenge

Terms of the Treaty Blame War Clause 231 said Germany was solely to blame for World War I. Reparations- Payment for damages Germany had to pay $6,600 million In Britain, France, and Belgium invaded to make Germany pay reparations

Terms of the Treaty Disarmament Could not have subs No air force Allowed only six battleships in navy Army of just 100,000 men Could not have troops in the Rhineland (Demilitarization) was the industrial heart of Germany was also the source of their military power Hitler violates in 1935

Terms of the Treaty Loss of Territory-13% of its land Alsace-Lorraine-mineral rich area that belonged to France Germany took it, and then returned to France Schleswig-Given to Denmark Polish Corridor-also called West Prussia, was given to Poland. had given Germany access to the sea Was separated from East Prussia

Terms of the Treaty Loss of Territory-13% of its land Saar-given to France-highly industrialized region Eupen-Malmedy-given to Belgium

Treaty of Versailles Anschluss ((Union) with Austria was forbidden Self-Determination Idea that people should self-rule Problems with Self-Determination Was not allowed for Germany Caused small wars in Poland Created small weak countries that Hitler could conquer easily New nations had racial minorities living in some countries

Other Treaties in 1919 and 1920 Created new countries Czechoslovakia Hungary Austria Poland Yugoslavia Split up Austria-Hungary to make these nations

League of Nations One of President Wilson’s 14 points Would create an assembly where countries would talk about their problems instead of going to war Was set up by the Versailles Treaty

Aims of the League of Nations Stop Wars Improve People’s Lives Disarmament Enforce the Treaty of Versailles

Problems with the League of Nations Major Countries did not join- United States Americans that were German immigrants disliked the Treaty of Versailles Did not want to get involved in European affairs because it might drag them into another war, cost money and lives, and many Americans were Anti-British

Problems With The League of Nations Major countries didn’t join Russia Communist country that did not like Britain and France Germany They were not allowed to join

Problems With The League of Nations Did not have an army to enforce its decisions “Big Bullies” too strong for the League to stop Decisions had to be unanimous and it paralyzed the league World-wide depression made countries want to get more land and power

America’s Reaction When Wilson went back to the United States, the Senate refused to join the League of Nations or ratify the Treaty of Versailles After World War II, United Nations is formed

What did Germany loose? 13% of its land 12% of its population 16% of its coal fields 50% of iron and steel industries All that power and wealth was given to Germany’s enemies

The Consequences Germany is in a desperate situation The terms of the Treaty of Versailles cripple the economy and prevent German recovery after the war Animosity towards those who signed the treaty grows and many German people look for people to blame for the crisis