The Paris Peace Conference and
the Treaty of Versailles
Objective
 Today we will be able to identify the forces
influential in the World War I peace process and how
they impacted the outcome (Treaty of Versailles)
The Paris Peace Conference
 In January 1919,
representatives of the
“big four” convened to
discuss the aspects of the
peace.
 The “big four” out of the
27 nations involved in
the conference were
major influences in the
peace process.

Great Britain, France, the
United States and Italy.
Main Demands of the “Big Four” at Versailles

France




Britain




That Germany’s military be drastically reduced
France occupy the Rhineland until Germany paid
reparations
Germany pay reparations to the allies.
Less demanding then the French
Restore Germany to reasonable economic
strength
Saw that Germany could be a force for stability in
Europe
Italy

Territory


Port of Trieste, South Tyrol (alps), Istria and
northern Dalmatia (Adriatic coast)
United States

National self-determination



Ethnicity should determine national boundaries.
If it did, the world would be safe for democracy
To support self-determination and international
cooperation, a League of Nations should be
created.
Idealism vs. Realism
 Wilson was an idealist
and his 14 points reflects
this idealism

Balance of Power and
international cooperation,
self determination,
 Clemenceau (Fr) wanted
the “victor’s peace” at
Versailles (Realism)

Reparations (the “war
guilt clause” Article 231)
Treaty of Versailles Primary Source Analysis
 Summarize the territorial and political clauses
provided from the Treaty of Versailles.
 Which foreign policy approach is reflected in the
treaty?
Major Aspects of the Treaty of Versailles
 War Guilt Clause

Germany had to accept the full
responsibility of, “loss and
damage” caused the allies, “as a
consequence of the war imposed
upon them by the aggression of
Germany and her allies.”
 Alsace Lorraine back to France
 Allied occupation of the Rhine
 Germany ceded areas of
contested Belgium, Poland
 Germany reduce its military
 Reparations

Billions in Gold Marks, merchant
and fishing fleet, railroad stocks,
build ships at no cost to the allies,
and ¼ of its extracted coal per
year.