Key Question 1 Treaty of Versailles.pptx

The History Revision guy IGCSE History KQ1 notes: Were the peace treaties of 1919-1923 fair?

1. Key Question 1: Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair ?

2. Background – outcomes of the First World War First three key questions based around the attempt, and ultimate failure, to find lasting peace settlement after First World War. War was devastating event, both physical damage and also psychological impact. The origins of the eventual failure to maintain world peace following the war arguably stem from the problematic peace settlement agreed at Versailles.

3. Background – outcomes of the First World War The war generally had an uneven impact on different countries: US joined the war late, lost very few soldiers, were far away from the battlefield – only losses were from German navy attacking ships Britain suffered during the war, over a million people had been killed during the war and country was in huge debt France had the highest death toll, both civilian and military and therefore bore huge brunt of war, in particular on infrastructure Germany, despite losing the war, had not suffered as much as others. Main problem during the war was blockade, but surrendered at sensible moment as strategic position deteriorated

4. Aims and motives of the Big Three at Versailles Treaty of Versailles one of five treaties negotiated and agreed upon after the war to be imposed on defeated countries. Despite dozens of delegates being present, focus is usually on Big Three: Lloyd George, British PM Clemenceau, French PM Woodrow Wilson, US President Negotiations largely influenced by these three as representatives of major post-war countries.

5. Aims and motives of the Big Three at Versailles - Clemenceau Clemenceau, like the French public, demanded revenge against Germany and terms that guaranteed future French security. Wanted German army dismantled (were still stronger than France) Massive reparations to punish cripple German economy and used to rebuild France/pay off its debts Wanted the Rhineland to be independent state – key border state Regain Alsace Lorraine, receive the Saar industrial area, share of German colonies and possibly break up Germany altogether

6. Aims and motives of the Big Three at Versailles – Lloyd George Much more complex aims: 1. Publicly pledged to squeeze Germans until pip squeaks, in line with public demands for revenge and to ‘Hang the Kaiser!’ 2. In private much more pragmatic and sought middle ground by wanting to help German rebuild and recover for trade: Agreed with dividing colonies up but not breaking up Germany Wanted reasonable reparations to pay off war damage, but not cripple Germany and risk revolution Reduce army but not destroy, and reduce threat of Germany navy

7. Aims and motives of the Big Three at Versailles - Wilson Wilson was naturally idealistic leader, wanting to keep new world order based on his 14 points – however US public not as interested in global affairs and demand isolationism: Main aim is creation of League of Nations to maintain peace All countries should disarm and dismantle armies, not just Germany Believed in self-determination of all nations of Europe via plebiscite Did not want Britain and France to use German colonies to expand their own empires, instead go under League of Nations control Germany should pay reparations but again, not crippling amount

8. Actual terms of the Treaty Territory Her Colonial Empire: Shared among winners. Alsace-Lorraine (which had 75% of Germany’s iron resources) to France. The Saar handed over to League for 15 years. France to run it’s coal mines. West Prussia given to Poland so that she could gain access to the sea (the “ Polish Corridor ”) – splits Germany in two. Reparations Actual sum not fixed at Versailles; Germans signed a “blank cheque” (settled at £6,600 million, in 1921) Army • Army limited to 100,000 men • Conscription banned • Tanks and submarines banned • Navy limited to six warships • Airforce dismantled • Rhineland permanently Demilitarised War Guilt Under Article 231 Germany was held wholly to blame for the war. League of Nations Agreed to form League that would settle international disputes in civilised fashion. Germany forbidden from joining until it proved to be peaceful country.

9. How satisfied were each of the Big Three? France, largely happy with treaty: Satisfied a number of Clemenceau’s specific demands, in particular Alsace-Lorraine and transfer of some German colonies France would likely be biggest recipient of German reparations France was relatively secure on eastern border with German army reductions and Rhineland restrictions Loss of land, resources reduced German economic/military capacity France still felt vulnerable however after failing to have US/Britain agree to treaty to assist France in face of future German aggression

10. How satisfied were each of the Big Three? United States, very mixed feelings about the peace settlement overall: League of Nations and its principles was accepted Was please that Treaty was not unfairly harsh on Germany, who would remain a reasonable power Pleased to see self-determination achieved through creation of independent Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia However, Britain and France had clearly rewarded themselves with Germany’s former colonies, despite officially being mandates Exceptions to self-determination like Austria and Sudeten Germans Only defeated countries made to disarm

11. How satisfied were each of the Big Three? Britain, probably the most satisfied: On the whole, got his way of having moderate peace, allowing European economy to recover Successfully managed to temper the demands of Clemenceau, punishments therefore resembled his compromise proposals British interests served by expansion of colonies, empire reached its peak in 1919 Naval restrictions bolstered already strong British position on the sea

12. German opinion about the Treaty Naturally felt Treaty was very harsh and objected to the Treaty. German leaders surrendered believing it would earn them a lighter Treaty, however they believed: Double punishment to pay reparations and lose vital resources Argued that treaty was a diktat , as they were excluded from negotiations and had no choice but to accept Felt that War Guilt Clause was an unfair justification for harshness of the treaty as war was not all their fault

13. Political and economic impact of the Treaty Political violence: The Treaty caused political instability at least two high profile attempts by right-wing extremists to overthrow government, Kapp Putsch in 1920 and Munich Putsch in 1923 as well as numerous assassinations. Treaty caused violence firstly because it created so much resentment among public, especially nationalists and made gov unpopular In weakening Germany’s armed forces, the Treaty made it more difficult to deal with political violence as well

14. Political and economic impact of the Treaty Ruhr crisis: First major crisis caused by Treaty came in 1923 after failure by Germans to pay second instalment of reparations. French/Belgian soldiers went into Ruhr to take payment in form of raw materials and goods German gov ordered workers to go on strike so no goods were produced French army harshly responded, killing 100 workers Production in the Ruhr shut down as a result

15. Political and economic impact of the Treaty Economic crisis: German government paid workers during strike by printing off money however this created hyperinflation problem. Value of money became virtually worthless which was disaster for many Germans, pensioners, middle class families with savings etc With exception of big industrialists who used situation to pay off debts, had terrible impact and left bitter memory even after economy recovered.

16. The Treaty was fair on Germany Germany were the most aggressive country during WWI, it was only fair that their army, navy and air force be targeted. Alsace Lorraine went back to France after Germany annexed it in 1871 after the Franco-Prussian Wars . In March 1918, Germany forced an extremely harsh treaty on Russia when Russia wanted to leave the war. They made Russia pay reparations and took their land. Germany had given Austria a ‘Blank Cheque’ to start off war as well as commencing the Schlieffen Plan, therefore deserved War Guilt.

17. The Treaty was too harsh on Germany The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the spark that started the war and this had nothing to do with Germany. Many German citizens felt that they were being punished for the mistakes of the German government in August 1914 as it was the government that had declared war not the people . Some of the Big Three only had their personal interests at heart. Britain only wanted a reduced Navy so that Germany could not compete with them By restricting the army to only 100,000 volunteers, the treaty left Germany defenceless and vulnerable. 100,000 men for a country the size of Germany, meant keeping order was difficult as well.