The END of WWI

The Cost of War The war had cost 9.7 million dead, which of 66,655 were Canadian, and another 21 million wounded of the 65 million people mobilized. It was, in effect, the mass extermination of a generation of youth. Besides the 9.7 million dead soldiers another 8.8 million civilians were killed. The financial coast was estimated to $185 billion (1919 stats) or $3.9 trillion in todays dollars. Destruction of the European economy caused widespread malnutrition and disease.

The Treaty of Versailles In January 1919, the victors, gathered in Paris to repair the damage. The major decisions which led to the Treaty of Versailles were made by the big three: David Lloyd George of Britain, Georges Clemenceau of France, and Woodrow Wilson of the United States. They met privately to redraw the political map of Europe and undertake plans for political and economic reconstruction. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk between Germany and Russia was declared null and void, even though Russia didn’t attend the conference. The Treaty of Versailles outlined the conditions Germany had to comply with following World War I

The “Big Four”… or 3 All major decisions were made by the leader of France (Premier Clemenceau), Britain (Lloyd George) and the United States (President Wilson). At times, Italy’s leader, President Orlando had a say While their was a calling for revenge, they didn’t want to leave any issues unresolved & did not want to create enemies Aide would be provided for the German people

Fixing France During treaty negotiations, France wanted vengeance Much of the fighting had taken place on their soil and their country was destroyed Thousands of bridges destroyed, railways obliterated, houses demolished, 6000 factories were gone, & over a million livestock gone. There was also km of battlefield that needed cleaning up (barbed wire, tranches, etc).

Fixing France (con’t) France wanted Germany to pay to repare their country AND assurance that Germany would not attack them agaiin

The US approaches it differently President, Woodrow Wilson, approach these negotiations differently Since the US has essentially prevented the Germans from winning the war, they carried a loud voice at treaty negotiations Wilson wanted to see an end to war & proposed a League of Nations to prevent global conflict & provide collective security

The Treaty of Versailles Was signed on 28 June 1919 by Germany and the Allied powers at the Palace of Versailles. Begun in early 1919 and completed in April after several months of hard bargaining, it was presented to Germany for consideration on 7 May The German government was given three weeks to accept the terms of the treaty (which it had not seen prior to delivery). Its initial response was a lengthy list of complaints, most of which were simply ignored.

Germany is Disarmed Germany would be required to withdraw from all occupied territory & surrender most of their weaponry A buffer was to be created between France and Germany, called Rhineland The Germans were no longer allowed to have tanks, submarines or war planes All means of transport were to be turned over to the Allies for their use

Germany was allowed… A man army for internal security Small navy of men to work aboard 6 (old & obsolete) battleships and a handful of other ships

A new map of Europe Territorial changes were designed to reward the allies and punish Germany as well as deal with the collapse of the Russian, Ottoman and & Austro-Hungarian empires All of Germany’s gains were erased & Germany was to evacuate all newly gained land The treaty between Russia & Germany was declared null & void

Reparations After much debate, it was established that the Germans would need to pay 269 billion to any country who suffered fro Germany’s aggression Only about 53 million was actually paid

American Loans Since the Americans funded the second part of the war, everyone owed them money The US continued to demand payment throughout the treaty negotiations This was a major shift in the global economic world

The League of Nations Was established and written into the Treaty of Versailles It provided the international structure for global collective security Its purpose was to promote peace & international cooperation The idea was decisions would be made by consensus

A couple of problems… Germany… disarmed and heavily in debt to everyone, they did not see justice in the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty was perceived by many as too great a departure from U.S. President Wilson's vision for global cooperation and by the British as too harsh in its treatment of Germany. The US did not join the League of Nations & did not sign the Treaty of Versailles. They withdrew from protecting France and took a stand with political isolation.

So what do you think? Was the Treaty of Versailles fair?

You decide… Fair? The Treaty of Versailles only provided the same type of punishment as the Treaty of Brest Litovsk, therefore, the German’s deserved harsh treatment Germany caused the war & needed to pay for it Unfair? The war guilt clause psychologically damaged the people of Germany and placed the blame on them. The treaty was too harsh economically