CORE CONTENT PAPER 1 – THEME 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
REVISION BOOKLET
PAPER 1 – THEME 1
Were the peace treaties
of 1919-23 fair?
Name …………………………………………………………………
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CORE CONTENT PAPER 1 – THEME 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
The Peace Treaties
1919-1923
Background:
When the armistice to end the
First World War was signed on
November 1918, over 8.5 million
soldiers had been killed. Europe
had suffered terribly, particularly
Belgium and France where much of the Western Front fighting had taken place. The
countries that won the war had to decide what to do to the losers, and a series of peace
treaties were drawn up:
 Peace Treaty of Versailles
Germany (June 1919)
 Peace Treaty of St Germain
Austria (September 1919)
 Peace Treaty of Neuilly
Bulgaria (November 1919)
 Peace Treaty of Triannon
Hungary (June 1920)
 Peace Treaty of Sevres (1920)
Turkey
and Lausanne (1923)
The Peace Treaty of Versailles:
 Attended by- “The Big Three” - Clemenceau (France)
- Wilson (USA)
- Lloyd- George (Great Britain)
 Also prominent in the talks was Orlando (Italy).
The motives and aims of the Big Three were all different
Woodrow Wilson (USA):


Wilson was an idealist whose aim
was to build a better world from the
ruins of the Great War. Although
Wilson wanted Germany to pay for
the war, he was mainly interested in:
1. Preventing another war
2. Giving people the right to
live in their own country
(self-determination)
3. Having an organisation set
up to stop future wars
(League of Nations)
These aims were summed up in
Wilson’s 14 Points, which had been
produced in January 1918. (They
were rejected by Germany at the
time – but they hoped for them to
be a basis of discussion by
November.)
Aim- To prevent another war:
1. No more secret treaties between countries.
2. The seas to be free to ships of all nations.
3. No restrictions on trade between countries.
4. All countries to reduce armaments.
5. The wishes of people in colonies to be considered when
other countries claimed those colonies.
Aim- To achieve self-determination (the right of each
person to live in their own country):
6. Russia to be free to choose its own system of government.
7. Belgium to be independent.
8. Alsace- Lorraine to be returned to France.
9. Italy’s frontiers to be redrawn along lines of nationality.
10. Different nationalities in the Austro- Hungarian Empire to
be allowed self- government.
11. People in the Balkans to be free to form their own
countries.
12. Non- Turkish people in the Turkish Empire to be free to
form their own countries.
13. Poland to be independent.
14. An international organisation to be set up to protect
2 the
independence of countries and settle disputes.
CORE CONTENT PAPER 1 – THEME 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
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(Notice that Wilson’s idea was that all countries should live with his points
and not just the losers of the war. There was no mention of blame or
reparations.)
In the end only points 7, 8 and 14 were featured in the Treaty of Versailles.
Some of the other points featured in the peace treaties but only applied to the losers
of the war, e.g. 1 and 4.
Wilson’s viewpoint was influenced by the fact that they only joined the war in 1917,
they had not lost as many men as France or Britain, and the fighting had not taken
place in the USA. There was, however, a strong feeling among many Americans that
they should stay out of European affairs and the League of Nations, if it was formed.
David Lloyd- George (GB):
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
Was in the middle ground between Clemenceau and Wilson. He wanted
Germany to be punished but not too harshly. He wanted Germany to lose
its navy and its colonies because he thought they threatened the British
Empire. However, like Wilson he did not want Germany to seek revenge in the future
and possibly start another war. He was also keen on Britain and Germany trading
again with each other.
However, like Clemenceau, he had real problems with public pressures at home for a
harsh treaty. He had won the election in 1918 promising to “make Germany pay”,
even though he realised the dangers of this course of action.
Clemenceau (France):

Nicknamed “The Tiger”. France had suffered enormous damage to its land,
industry and people. He wanted revenge on Germany. France had been
attacked in 1870 and 1914 and he wanted to see it so weak they couldn’t attack
again. Clemenceau wanted reparations for the damage caused by Germany. He also
wanted land such as Alsace and Lorraine returned, plus possibly the Rhineland.
FILL IN THE GAPS
The armistice to end the First World War was signed in November ___________.
Europe had suffered terribly, particularly the countries ___________________ and
____________________, where most of the Western Front fighting had taken place.
The winners of the war drew up several peace treaties to decide what to do with the
losers. The treaty signed with Germany was called the __________________________
________________, and was signed in June __________.
The Treaty of Versailles was attended by the “Big Three”: _____________________,
___________________ and ____________________. They were the leaders of Britain,
_________________ and ______________________. A fourth country,
_____________________, was also prominent in the talks. Each of the “Big Three” had
different aims for the treaty, which meant they disagreed when it came to deciding
what should happen to Germany.
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CORE CONTENT PAPER 1 – THEME 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
Why did the leaders disagree?
By having such different aims, was there no way any of the leaders could get all
their needs?
Many people in France and Great Britain did not agree with Wilson’s ideas on selfdetermination as the peoples of Eastern Europe were scattered across many countries.
Clemenceau had wanted to cripple Germany – but this worried Lloyd-George and his needs
for Great Britain to trade with Germany.


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Clemenceau disagreed with Wilson over the Rhineland and Saar coalfieldsClemenceau won this battle.
Wilson gained his ideas on self-determination, though these affected the other
treaties more than Versailles.
Clemenceau felt Lloyd-George was being too fair on Germany’s position in Europe –
he was more interested in taking their colonies and navy.
Lloyd-George was worried about Wilson’s point 2, allowing access to the seas for all
nations, and also on Wilson’s self-determination, as the British Empire ruled millions
of people across the world from London.
COMPLETE THE TABLE
What were the aims of each
leader?
Clemenceau
(France)
Lloyd-George
(GB)
Set up a ‘League of Nations’ to stop
future wars
Make Germany pay reparations to pay
for the war damage
Make Germany weak so they can’t
attack again
Punish Germany fairly, so that they can
be a future trading partner
Take back land from Germany, such as
Alsace-Lorraine
Give people the right to live in their
own country (self-determination)
Take away Germany’s navy and
colonies
Wilson
(USA)

Terms of the Treaty of Versailles
1. Kaiser to be put on trial - This did not happen as he fled to Holland.
2. War Guilt (Article 231) – Declared Germany alone was guilty of starting
the war. This was seen by Germans as extremely harsh. This was hated
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CORE CONTENT PAPER 1 – THEME 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
as Germany was blamed for the start of the war, and by agreeing to the war guilt, it
meant allies could do what they wished to Germany.
3. Military Disarmament – The size and power of the German army was a major
concern to all powers, especially France. Therefore:
 German army reduced to 100,000 men.
 German navy reduced to 15,000 men.
 Tanks, warplanes and submarines were forbidden.
 Rhineland became a demilitarised zone – no German troops allowed in this
area, as it was the border area between Germany and France.
This was hated because having a strong army was a symbol of pride. In the 1920s, Germany
became very concerned about these levels, especially as other European countries re-armed
(especially France) and Disarmament Conferences failed.
4. Reparations – Were to be paid by Germany. Set at £11,000 million, it was reduced in
1921 to £6,600 million. Germany would not have finished paying reparations until
1984! They were annoyed at reparations, as some of their lands and resources to
help pay were taken away.
5. German territories and borders – Germany’s overseas empire within Africa and Asia
was taken away. It had been one of the causes of bad relations between Britain and
Germany before the war. They became mandates controlled by LON – in effect
Great Britain and France.
Germany’s own land loss was extensive
- 10% of its land
-12 ½ % of its population
-16% of its coalfields and half its iron and steel industry. This was hated as
population losses went against self-determination.
6. Anschluss with Austria was forbidden – Germany saw this as against selfdetermination.
7. A League of Nations was set up – but losers of the war were not invited.
FIND THE WORDS
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1.
The name given to the union between Germany
and Austria, forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles
2. The organisation set up to prevent future wars
(Wilson’s point 14)
3. The former leader of Germany who fled to
Holland to avoid trial
4. The idea that Germany was responsible for
starting the war (Article 231)
5. The term which said that Germany must reduce
the size of its army and navy.
6. Under the treaty this area was to become a
demilitarised zone controlled by the LON
7. The name given to the money which Germany
would have to pay to the winners of the war
8. This part of the German forces was limited to
100,000 men.
9. Self- __________, Wilson’s idea that everyone
should have the right to live in their own
5 country
10. This was reduced to 15,000 men.
CORE CONTENT PAPER 1 – THEME 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
2. Saar- Large
3. Eupen/Malmedy-
4. Rhineland-
5. Schleswig-
Important industrial
area: claimed by
France (had been
French until 1870)
To France.
coalfields: claimed
by France but with a
German population.
LON control for 15
years, then a
plebiscite (vote).
Important coal and
iron resourcesclaimed by Belgium.
(Belgium was neutral
in 1914 and suffered
badly when German
invaded). To Belgium.
Claimed by France,
for protection, but
had a German
population. Kept by
Germany but
demilitarised.
Population a mixture
of Germans (more in
the South) and Danes
(more in the North).
Claimed by Denmark
but German since the
1860s. Plebiscitenorth to Denmark,
south to Germany.
6. West Prussia
7. Posen and Thorn-
8. Danzig- An
9. Upper Silesia -
11. Memel-
German speaking
areas, claimed by
Poland. Essential to
give Poland access to
the sea. However, this
would separate East
Prussia from the rest
of Germany. To
Poland.
important port:
claimed by Poland
but with a German
speaking
population. Free
City- controlled by
LON.
Plebiscite =
Germany.
Between Lithuania
and East Prussia,
claimed by
Lithuania. LON
control.
1. Alsace and
Lorraine-
And 7
10. Germany and
Poland.
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CORE CONTENT PAPER 1 – THEME 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
TOPIC TEST 1 – Treaty of Versailles
1. Who were the ‘Big Three’?
2. Who did Wilson represent, and what were his aims?
3. What were the 14 points, and why were they important?
4. Who did Lloyd George represent, and what were his aims?
5. Who did Clemenceau represent, and what were his aims?
6. What problems did the different aims of each leader create?
7. What did the Treaty of Versailles say about:
 The Kaiser
 War guilt
 Disarmament
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CORE CONTENT PAPER 1 – THEME 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
 Reparations
 Germany’s colonies
 Germany’s land
 Anschluss
 League of Nations
8. Under the Treaty of Versailles, what was to happen to these
territories?
 Alsace-Lorraine
 Saar
 Eupen/Malmedy
 Rhineland
 Schleswig
 Polish corridor
 Danzig
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CORE CONTENT PAPER 1 – THEME 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
What was the immediate impact of the treaty on Germany up to
1923?
When the terms of the treaty were announced on 7th May 1919, Germany
was horrified and outraged: Hatred:
(a) War guilt clause angered Germans, who felt they had not started the war and many
believed November 1918 to be a ceasefire- not a final end.
(b) Germans felt the treaty was a Diktat (dictated settlement) – Germany had not been
allowed to negotiate peace. At first the German government, under its leader Ebert, refused
to sign the treaty- but Germany could not win if fighting restarted- therefore they signed on
the 28th June 1919.
(c) Many Germans no longer lived in Germany, which went against the idea of selfdetermination e.g. 2 million Germans lived in the free city on Danzig. 3 million Germans
lived in the Sudeten area of Czechoslovakia.
(d) Not allowing Germany to join (Anschluss) with Austria went against self-determination.
(e) Germany resented having to pay reparations, especially when
their production areas of Alsace and Lorraine and the Saar
coalfields had been taken.
(f) They resented having to reduce armed forces at a time when
allies could build up theirs. They scuttled their fleet at Scapa
Flow rather than hand them over.
Impact:
(g) The impact of the treaty tipped Germany into chaos. Opponents to Ebert tried to force
him out of power in a revolution.
(h) Germany turned to Russia for friendship and signed the 1921 Treaty of Rapallo, allowing
Germany to build weapons on Russian soil.
(i) Germany fell behind in reparations in 1922- led to France invading the Ruhr in 1923 to
get goods in return- led to German strikes in the area.
(j) Huge inflation in Germany- due to lack of goods produced/to sell- money became
worthless and the government simply printed more money!
Could the treaty be justified at the time?
Not by Germany! But also not by allies:
- Clemenceau felt it was not harsh enough, and in 1920 he is voted out in the General
Election. Clemenceau had wanted the Rhineland as an independent state.
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CORE CONTENT PAPER 1 – THEME 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
-
-
Lloyd-George received a hero’s welcome- though he felt there might come a time
when Germany wanted revenge.
Wilson felt it was too harsh and that his 14 points had been ignored. He returned to
the USA to try and sell the idea of the League of Nations but lost the 1920 elections.
Republicans won and adopted a policy of isolation (staying out of other countries’
affairs.)
The famous British economist John Maynard Keynes felt that Europe needed a
prosperous Germany to trade with if there was to be a full recovery in Europe.
It is easy to criticise with hindsight and to see that the Peace Treaty of Versailles contributed
to the Second World War but:
-
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk forced on Russia by Germany in 1918, had been very harsh –
it had taken 54% of Russian industry, 34% of its population and 89% of its coalmines.
-
The allies could have occupied Germany, but this did not work in 1945.
-
Someone had to pay for the war, and Germany was partly responsible for the war.
-
Germany was still a large country with plenty of resources. In 1925 German steel
production was twice that of Great Britain.
Therefore, some historians feel the treaty was too harsh - others that it was the best they
could hope for in the circumstances.
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CORE CONTENT PAPER 1 – THEME 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
TOPIC TEST 2 – The Impact of the Treaty
1. When was the Treaty signed?
2. Why was Germany angry about…
 War guilt
 Diktat
 Self-determination
 Anschluss
 Reparations
 Reducing their armed forces
3. Some were so angry in Germany that it almost led to a…………
4. What was the Treaty of Rapallo?
5. What caused the crisis in the Ruhr in 1922?
6. What happened to make the crisis worse?
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CORE CONTENT PAPER 1 – THEME 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
7. What did Clemenceau think of the Treaty?
8. What did Lloyd George think of the Treaty?
9. What did Wilson think of it?
10. Why did the USA never ratify (agree to) the Treaty of Versailles?
11. Who was Keynes, and what did he say about the Treaty?
12. Give four reasons why it can be argued that the Treaty was fair.
 1
 2
 3
 4
Exam questions
June 2014
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