Treaty of Versailles
The players (The Big Four):
Lloyd George of Britain
Vittorio Orlando of Italy
Georges Clemenceau of France
Woodrow Wilson of the United States
The peace process in Paris, France after World War I proved to be a daunting task, seeing as how
those representing their countries possessed strong beliefs and motives going into the conference.
World War I brought to life the devastating horrors of war. It witnessed the use of military
technology never before seen in a war, and the countries of Europe wanted desperately to right
the war’s wrongs. However, personal ambitions and the grander aims of countries regrettably got
in the way of true peace. Consequently, the outcome of the Treaty of Versailles would
continually shape the world—usually for the worst.
Countries in question:
France 615-620
Russia 647-652
Britain 602-608
Italy 632-636
Japan 675-681 and extra
handout
U.S. 682-687, 714-723
Rubric
Completeness
Explanation
Team Work
Participation and
written
documentation
Insightfulness
Germany 637-646
Austria-Hungary 653-657
Ottoman Empire 656 and extra
handout
7
All questions
completely answered
All questions
thoroughly explained
with examples, good
insight and reason.
Uses past information
and material.
Group constantly on
task (listening,
helping, discussing,
writing)
Participates during
class discussion with
valuable information.
Written material is a
compilation of all
group members.
The questions are
answered with an
understanding of the
player and their
background
5
Black Floppy Readings:
page159, Wilson’s Fourteen
Points and page 161 The
Bolshevik Strategy
3
Most questions
completely answered
Some examples and
mostly explained
Few questions
completely answered
Few examples
Few explanations
given
Group sometimes off
task—discussing outof-class topics
Group rarely on task
or working together.
Group member not
involved
Group members do
not contribute during
discussion. Written
portions missing
parts.
Little participation, or
contribution of
minimal value.
Written material is
hard to decipher and
lacks organization.
Sometimes
connection to players
is missed
No connection to the
players
Shows little
understanding of the
results and impact of
the revolution and
Enlightenment
/35
About the players…
Georges Clemenceau clashed with Woodrow Wilson and David Lloyd George about how the
defeated powers should be treated. Lloyd George told Clemenceau that his proposals were too
harsh and would "plunge Germany and the greater part of Europe into Communism." Clemenceau
replied that Lloyd George's alternative proposals would lead to Communism in France. In 1871,
after the Franco-Prussian War, Clemenceau voted against the peace terms demanded by Germany
and became involved in the insurrection known as the Paris Commune. After being re-elected to
the National Assembly in 1876, Clemenceau emerged as the leader of the Radical-Republicans. As
a result of his aggressive debating style, Clemenceau was given the nickname, 'The Tiger'.
Early in his career, Lloyd George made a name for himself as being a fiery and persuasive speaker. He
fought hard to make gains in movements that were thought radical—Old Age Pensions, Poor Law. Though
his position often created enemies, he eventually rose to the position of Prime Minister of Britain, where he
later found himself leading the British war effort in World War 1. Lloyd George insisted on keeping, and
even building up, the British Empire. Such a move demanded the use of Realpolitik. One of the many
instances this was used was in the negotiations with the Arab tribes in the Ottoman Empire.
Initially claiming neutrality, Italy was encouraged to join the Allies in 1915 with the Treaty of London.
Italy joined after the Allies agreed to firm Italian demands. Italy had long claimed the western most
territory within the Austrian-Hungary Empire. In an attempt to gain this territory, Vittorio Orlando
clashed with Wilson after the war over territorial demands because of Wilson’s insistence of selfdetermination.
The United States joined the war on the side of the Allies in 1917 after the disclosure of the Zimmerman
Note. Woodrow Wilson, an idealistic promoter of world peace, presented his 14-Points to the Allies in
hopes that World War 1 would be the “war to end all wars.” Wilson previously was a professor at
Princeton, and he grew up in a richly Presbyterian home, where he learned of strict morals and obedience.
The United States lacked the long historical feelings of tension that the other European countries possessed.
Additionally, the United States ideally wanted to remain neutral.
Points to include:
1. Historical Relevance: 1. Build a chart: how was each of the Big 4 countries negatively
affected by Germany? Additionally, what did each want to get out of the treaty? What prior
tension do you suppose fueled the fire of World War I (tension between the countries)? How did
this impact what the countries wanted after World War I? How did each of the following play a
role: nationalism, imperialism, alliances, and militarism? (Should be completed individually by
everybody)
2. Who to blame and what can we gain: 1. Using your country’s perspective, decide who is to
blame. Whose fault was this war? 2. How can we punish the instigator? 3. What do we as a nation
deserve because of this war? How can we use this war to our benefit? What can we get out of it?
(Each group should develop an answer for these questions by sharing ideas)
3. Future Implications: 1. What do you suppose will be the final result of the treaty? Build a
chart that shows what each country gets/loses. 2. Lastly, based on what you have predicted, do
you think this will be a successful treaty? Will it yield lasting peace? Which, if any, of Hoban’s
values will be included in the decisions of the treaty you have predicted? (Each group should
develop an answer for these questions by sharing ideas)
Chart example for #1:
Country
France
Britain
Due Thursday
Germany’s impact on country
Battles on Western Front fought in
France; many casualties
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Prior tension
Lost embarrassingly to Prussia in
1871, losing territory and money
Bardee blah bar bar bing bar blah