1. What was the Treaty of Versailles? David Lloyd George – British PM George Clemenceau – French PM Woodrow Wilson – American President Britain, France and America met to decide how to create ‘Peace’ in Europe and how to punish Germany on the 28 th June 1919 ‘The Big 3’

2. Why? GB. Lloyd George was in favour of a less severe settlement to that of the French. He wanted to ensure Germany could recover quickly and resume her role as a major customer of British goods. Why? The Paris Peace Conference met at the Palace of Versailles – The Hall of Mirrors. Each country wanted Germany to be punished in different ways. Why is that? France wanted a harsh peace settlement to ruin Germany economically and militarily. Why is that? For what reason? France wanted to Germany to pay Reparations (compensation) For what reason? USA was also in favour of a lenient peace settlement to be imposed on Germany. Why do you think the Big 3 had different ideas on how to punish Germany?

3. What were the terms of the treaty? Army reduced to 100 000 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?

4. 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