World History
Name
Date
The Treaty of Versailles: A Flawed Peace
The Treaty of Versailles
After the war, the leaders of the victorious Allies met at the Palace of Versailles, near Paris, to tell
Germany the terms of peace. Defeated Germany was not allowed to send any delegates, and had
no choice but to accept whatever was decided. Most of the delegates wanted revenge. Only
President Woodrow Wilson of the United States wanted to cooperate for a peaceful world.
Terms of the Treaty:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Germany had to accept the blame for
starting the war. (“War Guilt Clause”)
Germany’s military was restricted.
They were forbidden to have
submarines or an air force. The navy
could only have six battleships, and
an army of just 100,000 men. In
addition, Germany was not allowed to
place any troops in the Rhineland, the
strip of land, 50 miles wide, next to
France.
Germany had to pay $31.4 billion,
called reparations, for the damage
done during the war.
Germany lost land in Europe (see
map, right). Germany’s colonies were
given to Britain and France.
Germany could never unite with
Austria.
Germany could not join the League of
Nations, a peace-keeping
organization.
Term of Treaty
War Guilt Clause
Military
Reparations
Land
What did this mean for Germany?
Peace Keeping
The Treaty of Versailles:
Source 1
Source 2
Make a prediction:
How do you think Germany reacted to the Treaty of Versailles?
(Explain your answer with details from the Treaty or from the sources above.)