Treaty of Versailles

Content for November Mocks

Why did Germany agree to sign the Treaty?

• Signed over 6 months after the armistice

• Germany was in political and economic chaos

• Allies continued blockade of German ports meaning Germany had no choice but to accept the terms. 

Who were the ‘Big Three’? (and what countries?)

• Georges Clemenceau (France)

• Woodrow Wilson (America)

• David Lloyd George (Britain)

What were Georges Clemenceau’s aims for the Treaty?

• Revenge, to punish the Germans

• Make Germany pay for the damage

• Weaken Germany to eliminate possibility of future invasion of France

What were Woodrow Wilson’s aims for the Treaty?

• Wanted to make the world safe- fair peace

• Disarmament and a League of Nations

What were David Lloyd George’s aims for the Treaty?

• Said he ‘wanted to make Germany pay’ as he knew thats what the British wanted to hear

• Wanted justice instead of revenge- harsh peace would just cause another war soon

• To expand the British Empire/ make sure Germany can still trade with Britain

What were the main overall terms of the Treaty? 

• War Guilt

• Military restrictions

• Territorial Loses

• Reparations 

War Guilt

• Article 231 said Germany was to blame for the war

• Main cause for resentment from the Germans 

Military Restrictions

• Air Force disbanded

• Army limited to 100,000 soldiers

• Navy limited to 15,000 sailors, 6 battleships, and no submarines 

For a great power like Germany the terms not only weakened the armed forces, but aimed to humiliate the country

Territorial Losses

• Lost 13% of its land including 6 million people

• Alsace-Lorraine returned to France

• Polish Corridor

Reparations

£6.6 billion paid in annual instalments to repay damages that Germany took responsibility for.