International Relations
1. Were the Peace Treaties of 1919-23 fair?
What were the motives and aims of the Big Three at Versailles?
President Wilson: USA
The USA had not been in the war as long as Britain and France and had not received
such damage. Therefore, he opposed to a harsh treaty.
• Not too harsh on Germany – should be punished however, he believed that if the
treaty was too harsh they would recover and seek revenge (fear)
• Concerned – if treaty is too harsh on Germany communists group might exploit
germen resentment and seize power as they did in Russia 1917
• Strengthen democracy in defeated countries – this could be the key to peace in
Europe as this would mean that people wouldn’t let its leader cause another war.
• Self-determination to small countries that had once been part of the European
empires – wanted people of Eastern – Europe (Czechs) to rule themselves rather
than be part of the Austrian Hungarians Empire.
• International Cooperation’s – nations should cooperate to achieve world peace.
This would be achieved through the League of Nation
• Build a better and more peaceful world from the ruins of the Great War.
When the US joined the war in 1917, he drew up 14 points as the basis of ending the
war fairly to avoid future wars.
….. Points which did not succeed
1. No secret treaties treaties were greedy on what they
wanted stayed as secret covenants.
2. Free access to the seas in peace or war time Britain has
the biggest trading area
3. Free trade between countries Afraid of the USA
dominating trades, cannot compete against big economy.
4. All countries to work towards disarmament nobody
wants to go first because they will be vulnerable and week.
5. Colonies to have a say in their own future
6. German troops to leave Russia
7. Independence for Belgium
8. France to regain Alsace-Lorraine
9. Frontier between Austria and Italy to be adjusted
10. Self-determination for people of Eastern Europe
11. Serbia to have access to the sea
12. Self-determination for the people in the Turkish empire
They are not independent, they are mandates to France and
Britain.
13. Poland to become an independent state with access to the
sea
14. Set up the League of Nations
,Lloyd George: Britain
Lloyd George was an in-between. This reflected Britain which had little land damage but
high war losses. Therefore, Lloyd George wanted a treaty which punished Germany just
enough especially because he needed Germany strong enough to trade.
• Believed that Germany should be punished but not too harshly, wanted to avoid
Germany seeking revenge and starting another war. Deeply concerned that a
harsh treaty might lead to a communist revolution.
• Wanted Br and Germany to commence trading again as this meant jobs in
Britain and was good for the economy
• Had the British needs in his mind, wanted Germany to lose its navy and colonies
as this threatened the British empire
• Happy with the treaty as the British kept their colonies and the sea routes
remained for trading
• What Britain succeeded Germany lost colonies and navy was reduced.
Lloyd George faced huge public pressures for a harsh treaty at home. British weren’t
sympathetic towards the Germans. They´d suffered over 1 million casualties in the
fighting as well as food shortages. Had to balance these pressures at home with his
desire not to leave Germany wanting revenge.
George Clemenceau: France
Clemenceau aims were the harshest of the three representing the damage Germany had
done to France’s land and people. He wanted revenge and to punish Germany.
• Cripple Germany to ensure they wouldn’t attack France again. Clemenceau was
determined not to allow such devastation to occur again. – Wanted Germany
broken down.
• France had suffered enormous damage to its land, industry, people and self-
confidence. The war affected almost an entire generation therefore he wanted to
make Germany pay for the damage done during the war.
• French people wanted a treaty that would weaken Germany as much as possible
• Generally satisfied with the treaty, the demilitarization of Rhineland and Alsace
Lorraine being given back. Wasn’t satisfied with the LON
Why did all the victors not get everything they wanted?
Problems confronted by the big 3, 1919:
• Public pressure- voters put pressure on the leaders, Br + Fr wanted to hang the
Kaiser and USA wanted a return to Isolationism.
• Consequences of WW1- war led to a communist revolution In Russia, overthrow
of monarchy in Germany and Austria + breakaway nations forming eg. Poland
• Disorganization- War ended suddenly- no agreement between allies of how
Europe should be reorganized.
• Influenza´s death- Influenza pandemic raging across Europe- killed 30 million
(more than in the war)
, • Financial issues- war changed balance of world power. War cost Europe 260
billion dollars- much loaned by the US (only superpower)
• Rash Bargains- allies made rash bargains with Italy + Japan promising territory
in return for support.
Terms of the treaty of Versailles
• War guilt – had to accept blame for starting the war
• Reparations- £6.6 million had to be paid in reparations for the damages caused
by the war
German territories and colonies
a) Germany's European borders-
• Treaty forbade Germany to join together with its former ally Austria (Anschluss)
• Rhineland became demilitarized zone
• North Schleswig given to Denmark after a vote or plebiscite- vote in which local
civilians express their opinion for/against an important proposal
• Alsace Lorraine given back to France
• Saarland- run by LON, then a plebiscite must be held after 15 years
• Upper Silesia (area divided between Poland and Germany after 1921 plebiscite),
West Prussia (parts of Germany) and Posen given to Poland
• Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia became independent states. Germany had taken
these states from Russia in 1918.
• Memel (strip of land of East Prussia) placed under Lithuanian control.
• Danzig taken from Germany made a free city run by LON- this was to give Poland
a sea port.
• Malmedy along with Eupen given to Belgium
b) Germany's overseas empire was taken away. Former German colonies eg.
Cameroon became mandates controlled by the LON which meant that Br + Fr
controlled them.
Germany's armed forces- size and power of the German army was a major concern,
treaty restricted German armed forces.
• Army limited to 100,000 men
• Conscription was banned- soldiers had to be volunteers
• Germany wasn't allowed armed vehicles, submarines or aircrafts
• Navy could only have six battleships, England was in favour of this decision as
they saw the German navy as a threat.
• Rhineland demilitarized zone- no German troops allowed into the area.
Important as it was the border area between Germany and Fr.
League of Nations
Previous methods of keeping peace failed and so LON set up as an international police
force. Germany wasn’t invited to join the league until it had shown that it was a peace-
loving country.
, What was the impact of the peace treaty on Germany up to 1923?
Germans reaction to the treaty
• War guilt and reparations- war guilt clause was hated, didn’t feel they'd started
the war therefore the blame should be shared. They believed they were fighting a
war of self-defence. Bitter that people expected them to pay for all the damage
caused by the war. German economy severely weakened.
• Disarmament- felt the terms were unfair, army of 100,000 was extremely small
for Germany's size. Army- symbol of German pride. None of the allies were being
forced to disarm in the same way. How are they expected to defend themselves
and fight within these conditions?
• German territories:
10% of its land in Europe
All of its overseas colonies
12.5% of its population
16% of its coalfields and almost half of its iron and steel industry
Major blow to Germany's pride + economy, Saar and Upper Silesia (important
industrial areas), as Germany lost colonies- Br + Fr increased their empires by taking
control of German territories in Africa. This will increase their power and expand
territory- unfair.
• 14 points and LON- treatment of Germany was not in keeping with the 14 points
e.g. While self-determination was given to countries like Latvia, German-
speaking countries were hived off into countries like Czechoslovakia to be ruled
by non-Germans. Anschluss forbidden. Germany further insulted as they weren’t
invited to join the League of Nations. What they´re doing to Germany is against
the 14 points.
• Non-representation-Germans angry that their gov. wasn’t represented at peace
talks, that they had no other choice than to accept this harsh treaty. Germany
didn’t believe that they´d lost the war so they shouldn’t be treated as a defeated
country.
Other Peace treaties:
• Austria-St.Germain: 1919
Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken up and new states were created. Territory from
the empire went to the new states of Czechoslovakia (given to Sudetenland), Yugoslavia
(given to Bosnia-Herzegovina) and Poland-(lost Galicia to Poland) (some also to Italy
and Romania). It became landlocked (lost access to the sea), army reduced to 30,000
men and forbidden to unite with Germany. Went bankrupt before reparations figure
could be agreed
• Bulgaria-Neuilly: 1919
Less harshly treated than other German´s allies, lost land to Greece (given Western
Thrace), Romania (given Dobrudja) and Yugoslavia (given border territories) as well as
access to the Mediterranean was restricted. Army was reduced to 20,000 men.
• Hungary-Trianon: 1920
Lost land to Romania (given Transylvania), Czechoslovakia (given to Slovakia and
Ruthenia) and Yugoslavia (given to Croatia). Lost substantial amount of land, 3 million
Hungarians ended up in other states and Hungary landlocked. Army was reduced to
1. Were the Peace Treaties of 1919-23 fair?
What were the motives and aims of the Big Three at Versailles?
President Wilson: USA
The USA had not been in the war as long as Britain and France and had not received
such damage. Therefore, he opposed to a harsh treaty.
• Not too harsh on Germany – should be punished however, he believed that if the
treaty was too harsh they would recover and seek revenge (fear)
• Concerned – if treaty is too harsh on Germany communists group might exploit
germen resentment and seize power as they did in Russia 1917
• Strengthen democracy in defeated countries – this could be the key to peace in
Europe as this would mean that people wouldn’t let its leader cause another war.
• Self-determination to small countries that had once been part of the European
empires – wanted people of Eastern – Europe (Czechs) to rule themselves rather
than be part of the Austrian Hungarians Empire.
• International Cooperation’s – nations should cooperate to achieve world peace.
This would be achieved through the League of Nation
• Build a better and more peaceful world from the ruins of the Great War.
When the US joined the war in 1917, he drew up 14 points as the basis of ending the
war fairly to avoid future wars.
….. Points which did not succeed
1. No secret treaties treaties were greedy on what they
wanted stayed as secret covenants.
2. Free access to the seas in peace or war time Britain has
the biggest trading area
3. Free trade between countries Afraid of the USA
dominating trades, cannot compete against big economy.
4. All countries to work towards disarmament nobody
wants to go first because they will be vulnerable and week.
5. Colonies to have a say in their own future
6. German troops to leave Russia
7. Independence for Belgium
8. France to regain Alsace-Lorraine
9. Frontier between Austria and Italy to be adjusted
10. Self-determination for people of Eastern Europe
11. Serbia to have access to the sea
12. Self-determination for the people in the Turkish empire
They are not independent, they are mandates to France and
Britain.
13. Poland to become an independent state with access to the
sea
14. Set up the League of Nations
,Lloyd George: Britain
Lloyd George was an in-between. This reflected Britain which had little land damage but
high war losses. Therefore, Lloyd George wanted a treaty which punished Germany just
enough especially because he needed Germany strong enough to trade.
• Believed that Germany should be punished but not too harshly, wanted to avoid
Germany seeking revenge and starting another war. Deeply concerned that a
harsh treaty might lead to a communist revolution.
• Wanted Br and Germany to commence trading again as this meant jobs in
Britain and was good for the economy
• Had the British needs in his mind, wanted Germany to lose its navy and colonies
as this threatened the British empire
• Happy with the treaty as the British kept their colonies and the sea routes
remained for trading
• What Britain succeeded Germany lost colonies and navy was reduced.
Lloyd George faced huge public pressures for a harsh treaty at home. British weren’t
sympathetic towards the Germans. They´d suffered over 1 million casualties in the
fighting as well as food shortages. Had to balance these pressures at home with his
desire not to leave Germany wanting revenge.
George Clemenceau: France
Clemenceau aims were the harshest of the three representing the damage Germany had
done to France’s land and people. He wanted revenge and to punish Germany.
• Cripple Germany to ensure they wouldn’t attack France again. Clemenceau was
determined not to allow such devastation to occur again. – Wanted Germany
broken down.
• France had suffered enormous damage to its land, industry, people and self-
confidence. The war affected almost an entire generation therefore he wanted to
make Germany pay for the damage done during the war.
• French people wanted a treaty that would weaken Germany as much as possible
• Generally satisfied with the treaty, the demilitarization of Rhineland and Alsace
Lorraine being given back. Wasn’t satisfied with the LON
Why did all the victors not get everything they wanted?
Problems confronted by the big 3, 1919:
• Public pressure- voters put pressure on the leaders, Br + Fr wanted to hang the
Kaiser and USA wanted a return to Isolationism.
• Consequences of WW1- war led to a communist revolution In Russia, overthrow
of monarchy in Germany and Austria + breakaway nations forming eg. Poland
• Disorganization- War ended suddenly- no agreement between allies of how
Europe should be reorganized.
• Influenza´s death- Influenza pandemic raging across Europe- killed 30 million
(more than in the war)
, • Financial issues- war changed balance of world power. War cost Europe 260
billion dollars- much loaned by the US (only superpower)
• Rash Bargains- allies made rash bargains with Italy + Japan promising territory
in return for support.
Terms of the treaty of Versailles
• War guilt – had to accept blame for starting the war
• Reparations- £6.6 million had to be paid in reparations for the damages caused
by the war
German territories and colonies
a) Germany's European borders-
• Treaty forbade Germany to join together with its former ally Austria (Anschluss)
• Rhineland became demilitarized zone
• North Schleswig given to Denmark after a vote or plebiscite- vote in which local
civilians express their opinion for/against an important proposal
• Alsace Lorraine given back to France
• Saarland- run by LON, then a plebiscite must be held after 15 years
• Upper Silesia (area divided between Poland and Germany after 1921 plebiscite),
West Prussia (parts of Germany) and Posen given to Poland
• Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia became independent states. Germany had taken
these states from Russia in 1918.
• Memel (strip of land of East Prussia) placed under Lithuanian control.
• Danzig taken from Germany made a free city run by LON- this was to give Poland
a sea port.
• Malmedy along with Eupen given to Belgium
b) Germany's overseas empire was taken away. Former German colonies eg.
Cameroon became mandates controlled by the LON which meant that Br + Fr
controlled them.
Germany's armed forces- size and power of the German army was a major concern,
treaty restricted German armed forces.
• Army limited to 100,000 men
• Conscription was banned- soldiers had to be volunteers
• Germany wasn't allowed armed vehicles, submarines or aircrafts
• Navy could only have six battleships, England was in favour of this decision as
they saw the German navy as a threat.
• Rhineland demilitarized zone- no German troops allowed into the area.
Important as it was the border area between Germany and Fr.
League of Nations
Previous methods of keeping peace failed and so LON set up as an international police
force. Germany wasn’t invited to join the league until it had shown that it was a peace-
loving country.
, What was the impact of the peace treaty on Germany up to 1923?
Germans reaction to the treaty
• War guilt and reparations- war guilt clause was hated, didn’t feel they'd started
the war therefore the blame should be shared. They believed they were fighting a
war of self-defence. Bitter that people expected them to pay for all the damage
caused by the war. German economy severely weakened.
• Disarmament- felt the terms were unfair, army of 100,000 was extremely small
for Germany's size. Army- symbol of German pride. None of the allies were being
forced to disarm in the same way. How are they expected to defend themselves
and fight within these conditions?
• German territories:
10% of its land in Europe
All of its overseas colonies
12.5% of its population
16% of its coalfields and almost half of its iron and steel industry
Major blow to Germany's pride + economy, Saar and Upper Silesia (important
industrial areas), as Germany lost colonies- Br + Fr increased their empires by taking
control of German territories in Africa. This will increase their power and expand
territory- unfair.
• 14 points and LON- treatment of Germany was not in keeping with the 14 points
e.g. While self-determination was given to countries like Latvia, German-
speaking countries were hived off into countries like Czechoslovakia to be ruled
by non-Germans. Anschluss forbidden. Germany further insulted as they weren’t
invited to join the League of Nations. What they´re doing to Germany is against
the 14 points.
• Non-representation-Germans angry that their gov. wasn’t represented at peace
talks, that they had no other choice than to accept this harsh treaty. Germany
didn’t believe that they´d lost the war so they shouldn’t be treated as a defeated
country.
Other Peace treaties:
• Austria-St.Germain: 1919
Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken up and new states were created. Territory from
the empire went to the new states of Czechoslovakia (given to Sudetenland), Yugoslavia
(given to Bosnia-Herzegovina) and Poland-(lost Galicia to Poland) (some also to Italy
and Romania). It became landlocked (lost access to the sea), army reduced to 30,000
men and forbidden to unite with Germany. Went bankrupt before reparations figure
could be agreed
• Bulgaria-Neuilly: 1919
Less harshly treated than other German´s allies, lost land to Greece (given Western
Thrace), Romania (given Dobrudja) and Yugoslavia (given border territories) as well as
access to the Mediterranean was restricted. Army was reduced to 20,000 men.
• Hungary-Trianon: 1920
Lost land to Romania (given Transylvania), Czechoslovakia (given to Slovakia and
Ruthenia) and Yugoslavia (given to Croatia). Lost substantial amount of land, 3 million
Hungarians ended up in other states and Hungary landlocked. Army was reduced to
