Part 1- peacemaking

Question 1

What is the German defeat and the armistice?

Answer 1

1. November 1918- German army on retreat clearly beaten.
2. German people were suffering from lack of food and fuel. The army and navy were low on trust.
3. Germany asked for armistice hoping for a fair peace terms signed 11th Nov. 1918
4. It was decided that Germany would take the blame for the war.

Question 2

What are the aims of the big three?

Answer 2

1. The treaty of Versailles (ToV) began in 1919.
2. Germany and Austria were not invited.
3. The big three is David Lloyd George (Britain), George Clemenceau (France) and Woodrow Wilson (America).

Question 3

Clemenceau aims

Answer 3

1. Wanted Germany to be punished harshly.
2. Wanted Germany to pay for all damage to France.
3. Wanted to avoid another war

Question 4

David Lloyd George aims

Answer 4

1. Wanted to punish Germany but not to harshly as they didn’t want revenge.
2. Keep Germany strong to trade.
3. Wanted to protect Britains empire and power.

Question 5

Woodrow Wilson aims

Answer 5

1. Wanted 14 point plan and League of Nations to be set up to resolve future conflicts.
2. Wanted to end empires and foreign rulers.
3. People should govern themselves

Question 6

What were the terms of treaty of Versailles?

Answer 6

1. War guilt clause- made Germany accept blame.
2. Reparations- 6.6 billion had to pay for damage and limit German army to 100,000 men and 6 war ships.
3. Demilitarised- Rhineland.
4. Alsace Lorriane- was given back to France.
5. Made Poland an independent country.
6. Saar was taken over by the League of Nations .
7. League of Nations were set up.

Question 7

Why was Treaty of Versailles a fair settlement?

Answer 7

1. Germany had caused a lot of death and damage.
2. Germany had treated Russia a lot harsher in their treaty with them in 1918.
3. Reparations was only 2% of what Germany war making a year.

Question 8

Why was treaty of Versailles unfair?

Answer 8

1. It would be hard to keep peace in Europe if Germany and Russia were not part of League of Nations.
2. It left Germany weak to defend against communist threat from the east.
3. It would anger the German people and keep them poorer.

Question 9

What was Germany’s reaction to the treaty?

Answer 9

1. Shocked about the treaty and wanted it to be based on 14 point plan.
2. Protested in the streets.
3. Felt stabbed in the back (Diktat).
4. Some believed the army didn’t loose the war and felt humiliated.
5. Many saw the politicians who signed it as November criminals

Question 10

What was Americas reaction to the treaty’s?

Answer 10

1. Wilson saw it too harsh and might cause another war.
2. They didn’t like the involvement in European problems and League of Nations and thought it would drag them in unnecessary wars.
3. American government refused to sign the treaty.

Question 11

What was Britains reaction to the treaty?

Answer 11

1. Pleased that Britain had been given some of Germany’s colonies.
2. Happy that Germans navy was smaller.
3. They thought the treaty was too harsh and it might cause another war.
4. Left Germany too weak against the communist threat.