Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations

The Big Three

France, UK and US

Clemenceau

Seen his nation be invaded by the Germans in 1870, suffered greatly. His personality is a hard, uncompromising man, wanted France to not be threatened again. He felt that Germany was not 'punished' enough, and his main aim was to inflict revenge against Germany for its crimes in the war.

David Lloyd George

A prime minister of the United Kingdom, was nicer to Germany because he did not want it to lead to another war. Britain had gained some German colonies and found that the German navy was destroyed.

Woodrow Wilson

He was the President of USA. He thought that the treaty was too harsh, and he was an idealist that found that to end wars forever, 'League of Nations' could be the answer. He also found that self determination is possible, was proven incorrect after the Yugoslavia had not survived as a united country and Czechoslovakia was annexed by the Nazis. Many Americans did not want to get involved in 1920, as the American Senate refused to join the League of Nations and sign the TOV.

Wilson's 1-7 Points out of 14

No Secret Treaties, Free access to the seas, Free trade between countries, All countries to work towards disarmament, Colonies have a say in their future, German troops to leave Russia, and Independence for Belgium.

Wilson Point 8-14 out of 14 points

France to regain Alsace Lorraine, Frontier between Austria and Italy to be adjusted, Self determination for the peoples of Eastern Europe (rule themselves), Serbia to have access to the sea, have self determination for the people in the Turkish Empire, Poland to become an independent state to access the sea, League of Nations be set up.

The Treaty of Versailles

After WW1, because they believed that Germany should be punished, they made a peace document at the end of WW1. They got rid of African colonies, and took hefty and ample financial amounts from Germany, about US 33 billion.

Reparations

Compensation for war damage paid by a defeated state / act of making amends for a wrong that has been done through payment or assistance

League of Nations

Had multiple countries that tried to solve global crisis. It is a method of avoiding war and is an international organisation. Under Article 1-26, Germany was not allowed to join.

Treaty of Versailles Article 231 Guilt

Germany accepted blame ‘for causing all the loss and damage’ of the war.

Treaty of Versailles Article 80 (Army)

100,000

Treaty of Versailles Article 181/198 (Army)

6 battleships, no submarines / no airplanes

Treaty of Versailles Article 42 (Army)

Rhineland demilitarised

Treaty of Versailles Article 232 (Reparations)

£6,6 billion – in installments, until 1984). 

Treaty of Versailles Article 45 (Lost Land)

Alsace-Lorraine to France/ Saar to France (15 years) West Prussia and Upper Silesia to Poland/ Danzig a ‘free city’/ German colonies became ‘mandates’ of the LON.

Fiume

Home for Slavic speaking people that had humble borders until declared free port. Fiume promoted a cultural renaissance, enhancing Italian cultural pride through art and literature. This brought a rapid economic and industrial growth and also saw a shift in the ethnic composition of the city. It also had significant negative outcomes, including political instability that contributed to the rise of extremist movements like fascism in Italy.

Danzig

Treaty of Versailles (1918) declared Danzig to be a free city administered by Poland and the League of Nations. It was made into one of the wealthiest cities. In March 1939 the Nazi dictator of Germany, Adolf Hitler, demanded the cession of Danzig and the creation of extraterritorial German highways across the corridor connecting to East Prussia.

Upper Silesia

In 1941, Upper and Lower Silesia was split into separate Gaude. The people of Upper Silesia voted on where they wanted to be governed. Parts voted for Germany and parts voted for Poland. The result was that 60% of people wanted to be part of Germany. This angered the Polish people in Upper Silesia, who complained to the League that this wasn't fair or that they didn't like the result.

Europe after WW1

Got rid of empires and countries, Austro-Hungarian, German empire, and Kingdom of Serbia, Croatia and Slovakia.

How changes lead to conflicts in Europe

The redistribution of colonial territories after the war, especially in Africa and the middle east,fighting for control over land and regions, leading to civil disputes and social unrest, therefore, leading to further rise of conflicts. The loss and gain of land also comes with some economic complications, causing some disputes in resources (especially with coal oil and minerals), trade routes along with the reparation of post war, causing social unrest, ultimately leading to further conflict.