The Treaty of Versailles

Question 1

Treaty of Versailles

Answer 1

Signed on 28 June 1919 to formally end World War I and to establish peace between the Allied Powers and Germany. It was signed at the Palace of Versailles in France

Question 2

France

Answer 2

PM Georges Clémenceau
Main objective: To cripple Germany
Position on ToV: The treaty should punish Germany proportionately to the devastation they had caused, and they should be crippled enough to never be able to wage war on France again.

France suffered greatly in the war, losing nearly 2 million people (over 4% of its population) and experiencing widespread destruction on its own soil.

The French were still bitter about their defeat in the 1870 Franco-Prussian War

Question 3

Britain

Answer 3

PM David Lloyd George
Main objective: To cripple Germany but not too much
Position on ToV: The treaty should punish Germany, not be so harsh as to push Germany to start another war in retaliation

Britain lost over 1 million people in the war but faced little destruction at home

Many also wanted to rebuild trade ties with Germany for economic reasons.

Question 4

USA

Answer 4

President Woodrow Wilson
Main objective: Be nice, but make sure this never happens again
Position on ToV: The treaty should encourage democracy and should not aim to cripple Germany

The USA was less affected by the war, with no fighting on its soil and around 115,000–130,000 deaths.

Anti-German feelings grew after attacks on civilian ships, leading to U.S. entry into the war in 1917.

President Wilson aimed to prevent future conflicts by establishing the League of Nations.

Question 5

Italy

Answer 5

PM Vittorio Orlando
Main objective: Give me things
Position on ToV: The treaty should result in me getting rewards because I helped you, only interested in things that would benefit Italy

Question 6

Germany’s suffer

Answer 6

After losing the war, Germany faced immense hardship. Around 1.7 million German soldiers were killed, and many survivors were left physically and mentally scarred.

The country was plunged into political, economic, and social chaos.

It lost 13% of its territory, including key industrial regions, weakening its economy further.

The ToV stripped Germany of its military power and forced it to pay massive reparations of 6.6 billion pounds, worsening its financial crisis.

Many Germans were outraged by the blame placed solely on them for starting the war, believing they were no more responsible than other nations.