THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES
What happens when a war has just finished?
11th November 1918, 1100hrs - the war is over! 7,849,000 soldiers lay dead in the fields of Europe - a generation wiped out by bomb, bullet and gas. The Allied powers meet to decide on the key points surrounding the First World War. They were to decide who caused the war, who is to pay and what is to become of Germany, Austria and indeed Europe as a whole.
Treaty of Versailles a group decision making activity
NOW ITS YOUR TURN... IN GROUPS OF 4 YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE PART IN A SIMULATION OF THE EVENTS AT VERSAILLES. Decide amongst you who will play the following roles: David Lloyd George (British PM) Woodrow Wilson (President of USA) Georges Clemenceau (France) Vittorio Orlando (Italy)
The Great Powers at the Treaty of Versailles Lloyd George (UK), Italian Foreign Minister Giorgio Sonnio, Georges Clemenceau (France) & Woodrow Wilson (USA)
Woodrow Wilson (USA) USA did not suffer much. Wants lasting peace in Europe. Doesn’t want to punish Germany harshly. Wants a fair treaty that will not lead to trouble in the future.
David Lloyd George (Britain) He does not want the Germans to feel hard done by and become aggressive in the future. But the British people want Germany punished harshly. He cannot ignore this. Wants to keep the British empire strong and well defended. Wants to build trade with other countries including Germany.
Georges Clemenceau (France) Germany must repay France compensation for all the damage caused, as most of the war has taken place in France. The Germans must admit that they alone caused the war. Germany must be made so weak she will never attack France again. France must take revenge on Germany.
Vittorio Orlando (Italy) When Italy joined the war they were promised the Adriatic Coast. When Orlando arrived at Versailles he expected France and Britain to keep their promise. Orlando felt that Italy should be greatly rewarded for changing sides during the war.
ProblemProposal German army Navy and airforce Reparations War guilt Overseas empire (colonies) Alsace- Lorraine
What were the terms of the treaty? Army reduced to Navy of just 6 battle ships – no submarines No air force Land lost to Belgium, France, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Denmark Lost overseas colonies £6.6 billion Reparations of £6.6 billion No military allowed in the Rhineland War Guilt Clause Accept full blame for causing war – the War Guilt Clause What aspects of the Treaty do you think Germans hated the most and why?
Review your treaty - Was it a fair settlement? Compare the decisions YOUR group made with those made at Versailles in Do you think Germany would have been pleased with the decisions made in 1919 at the Treaty of Versailles?
Why did Germans oppose it? Why did they accept it? Diktat Felt humiliated by it – had not negotiated it. Forced to accept it. Germans called it the Diktat. betrayed Many did not believe Germany had lost war but had been betrayed by politicians in Germany. Made to accept blame, lost land, money – very difficult to recover from it Had no choice! Had no choice! Accept the treaty or war will continue and Germany will suffer even more. Germany was too weak and damaged by war to fight on. revenge Many Germans promised to get revenge as soon as they could
What did the decisions made at this meeting lead to? World War II