The fighting in World War I ended when an armistice took effect at 11:00 hours on November
11, 1918. In the aftermath of World War I the political, cultural, and social order of the world
was drastically changed in many places, even outside the areas directly involved in the war.
New countries were formed, old ones were abolished, international organizations were
established, and many new and old ideas took a firm hold in people's minds.
The Treaty of Versailles (1919) was the peace treaty which officially ended World War I
between the Allied and Central Powers and the German Empire.
After six months of negotiations, which took place at the Paris Peace Conference, the treaty
was signed as a follow-up to the armistice signed in November 11, 1918 in the Compiègne
Forest (which had put an end to the actual fighting).
Although there were many provisions in the treaty, one of the more important and
recognized provisions required Germany to accept full responsibility for causing the war and,
under the terms of articles 231-248, make reparations to certain countries that had formed the
Allies.
70 delegates of 26 nations negotiated about the treaty conditions. Germany, Austria,
Hungary, and Russia were excluded from the negotiations.
But the most important role for writing down the conditions were the regular meetings of the
"Big Ten" including the seven major victors (United States, France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy,
Belgium, and Serbia). Eventually Russia and five other countries left the meetings so only the
"Big Four" remained. After Italy left, the final conditions were determined by the "Big Three"
nations: United States, France and Great Britain.
The "Big Three" that negotiated the treaty consisted of Prime Minister David Lloyd George of
the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau of France and President Woodrow
Wilson of the United States of America. The Prime Minister of Italy, Vittorio Orlando, played
a minor part in the discussions. Canada really played an insignificant role.
Germany was not invited to France to discuss the treaty. At Versailles, it was difficult to
decide on a common position because their aims conflicted with one another. The result was
an "unhappy compromise".
Conditions
The treaty had provided for the creation of the League of Nations, a major goal of U.S.
President Woodrow Wilson. The League of Nations was intended to arbitrate international
disputes and thereby avoid future wars.
The common view is that France's Clemenceau was the most vigorous in his pursuit of
revenge against Germany, the Western Front of the war having been fought chiefly on French
11, 1918. In the aftermath of World War I the political, cultural, and social order of the world
was drastically changed in many places, even outside the areas directly involved in the war.
New countries were formed, old ones were abolished, international organizations were
established, and many new and old ideas took a firm hold in people's minds.
The Treaty of Versailles (1919) was the peace treaty which officially ended World War I
between the Allied and Central Powers and the German Empire.
After six months of negotiations, which took place at the Paris Peace Conference, the treaty
was signed as a follow-up to the armistice signed in November 11, 1918 in the Compiègne
Forest (which had put an end to the actual fighting).
Although there were many provisions in the treaty, one of the more important and
recognized provisions required Germany to accept full responsibility for causing the war and,
under the terms of articles 231-248, make reparations to certain countries that had formed the
Allies.
70 delegates of 26 nations negotiated about the treaty conditions. Germany, Austria,
Hungary, and Russia were excluded from the negotiations.
But the most important role for writing down the conditions were the regular meetings of the
"Big Ten" including the seven major victors (United States, France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy,
Belgium, and Serbia). Eventually Russia and five other countries left the meetings so only the
"Big Four" remained. After Italy left, the final conditions were determined by the "Big Three"
nations: United States, France and Great Britain.
The "Big Three" that negotiated the treaty consisted of Prime Minister David Lloyd George of
the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau of France and President Woodrow
Wilson of the United States of America. The Prime Minister of Italy, Vittorio Orlando, played
a minor part in the discussions. Canada really played an insignificant role.
Germany was not invited to France to discuss the treaty. At Versailles, it was difficult to
decide on a common position because their aims conflicted with one another. The result was
an "unhappy compromise".
Conditions
The treaty had provided for the creation of the League of Nations, a major goal of U.S.
President Woodrow Wilson. The League of Nations was intended to arbitrate international
disputes and thereby avoid future wars.
The common view is that France's Clemenceau was the most vigorous in his pursuit of
revenge against Germany, the Western Front of the war having been fought chiefly on French
