MR SPENCE HISTORY
WAS THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES FAIR?
Key ideas to be covered
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What were the motives and aims of the Big Three at Versailles?
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Why did the victors not get everything they wanted?
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What was the impact of the Treaty on Germany up to the end of 1923?
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​Could the Treaty be justified at the time?
In January 1919 the Paris Peace Conference opened in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. Delegates from the 27 victorious nations attended (defeated powers were not invited), they would take part in 52 different commissions and 1646 sessions. The conference's aim was to apply sanctions on the defeated powers as well as dictate the future of the post war world. US President, Woodrow Wilson, British Prime Minister, Lloyd George, and French Prime Minister, Georges Clemenceau of France made all major decisions (Italian Prime Minister, Vittorio Orlando of Italy left the conference when denied the Adriatic port of Fiume. The men’s positions are often characterised as Wilson wanted to be lenient, Clemenceau harsh and George in the middle. However, sweeping characterisations are rarely accurate. No leader maintained a consistent position (especially Britain) throughout the conference.
What did the 'Big Three' want?
Examine the two maps of Europe, from before the First World War and then after the Treaty of Versailles. You should be able to identify 19 differences. The first person to get them all will receive a prize.
On 7 May 1919, the Allies presented the Germans with the draft for the Treaty of Versailles. The Germans attempted negotiations through diplomatic channels. Lloyd George advocated for some concessions (over Silesia), although Clemenceau and Wilson remained steadfast. Eventually, on 22 June, the Germans were given 24 hours to sign the treaty or face invasion. On 28 June they signed the Treaty. The final treaty was a product not just of the Big Three but also the Council of Five (which included the foreign ministers of Italy and Japan), who finalised details and settled the borders.
Canadian dramatisation of Margaret Macmillian's excellent book about the Paris Peace Conference
Germany underwent a great deal of political and economic turmoil between 1919 and 1923. There are though, disagreements over whether these crises were due to the harsh nature of the Treaty of Versailles or the miscalculations of the former government and the politicians of the nascent Weimar Republic. You will need to be able to prepare ten mark answers addressing both sides of these debates.
Impact on Germany
Other Treaties
In previous years students were expected to know in detail the terms and impact of the other treaties imposed on the defeated powers following the Paris Peace Conference. The new syllabus has removed this requirement, yet it may be worth your while to scan the documents. Often you will be asked if the German reactions to the Treaty of Versailles could be justified. Looking at the comparatively harsher treatment meted out to Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey may make for a useful paragraph countering the German complaints.