Paris Peace Conference/Treaty of Versailles

The Big Four: Great Britian

David Lloyd George, wanted economic punishments for Germany and its allies, naval strength, and wanted to protect the British Empire

The Big Four: France

George Clemenceau, wanted to weaken the German army, protect French borders, and wanted Alsace and Lorraine, a piece of land that Germany had won.

The Big Four: USA

Woodrow Wilson, global peace, stability, and fix war’s root causes

The Big Four: Italy

Vittorio Orlando, wanted more land

Paris Peace Conference

a way to negotiate and determine the terms of the war and peace that followed, as everyone wanted something different. Also needed to determine the best course of action for the future, to avoid more losses than the 16 million from the war.

Wilsons 14 points

Freedom of the seas, self-determination for colonies, League of nations, no secret alliances, restore Alsace and Lorraine to france

self determination

the process by which a group of people, usually with a high degree nation consciousness, form their own state and government

League of nations

a group of 40 countries formed to negotiate disputes to avoid future wars, US did not join since they did not ratify the treaty (terms were to hard of germany, did not want revenge, wanted to stay out of european conflicts)

Treaty of Versailles

reduced german army size and banned conscription and weapon making, made germany pay reparations and war damages, germany must take responsibility and blame for starting war

War Guilt Clause

stated the germany must take responsibility for starting the war an pay reparations

Impact of the Treaty of Versailles of Germany

weakened their army, lost its colonies, economic issues (due to amount of reparations)

results of WWI

death of over 16 million people, collapse of empires and forming of new nations, ex. Russia, Germany, Ottomans, and Austria-Hungary