“The Big 3 and the Treaty of Versailles:
Putting an End to World War I”
Characters:
British Prime Minister David Lloyd George
Premier Georges Clemenceau of France
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson
Narrator
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SKIT – Treaty of Versailles
Narrator: The scene is Paris in 1919. President Woodrow Wilson is meeting with leaders
of the other victorious powers at Versailles, France. They are talking about the peace
conference that will soon take place.
Clemenceau: Congratulations, Mr. Wilson! How does it feel to be the most popular man
in France?
David Lloyd George: Yes, Wilson. I believe that European people think of you as a
shining knight. You are the one who will give back to them what World War I has taken.
Wilson: And what do you suppose that is?
Clemenceau: I’ll answer that. The people of France want to make sure that Germany will
never attack them again. They will be satisfied with nothing less than this security.
David Lloyd George: And my people feel that someone must pay for the war. Germany
started the war – shouldn’t Germany pay for it?
Narrator: Wilson was uncomfortable. It was true that Germany caused much damage in
World War I, but wasn’t the real start of the war the Serbian assassination of Austrian
Archduke Franz Ferdinand?
Wilson: Gentlemen! I didn’t come to Europe to sign a peace treaty that will cripple
Germany. We must deal fairly with the Germans. Otherwise, there will be NO lasting
peace.
Clemenceau: Treat them fairly! These people have invaded France twice in the last 50
years! They invaded Belgium, attacked passenger ships, and killed innocent civilians.
They forced Russia to sign a harsh treaty. They would gladly have taken all we have if
they had won. You ask for justice for these people?
Wilson: Especially for these people. Gentlemen, they believe in me. They asked that the
shooting be stopped because they trusted me to see that they would be treated fairly.
I have an idea that I call the 14 Points. These points assure that all the nations of
Europe are treated fairly and equally after the war. These 14 Points will make it
impossible for a war like World War I to happen again.
David Lloyd George: Nonsense, Wilson! The Germans asked for an armistice or end to
fighting because they knew they were beaten. If we follow your advice, Germany will
leave this confederation the strongest country in Europe. Is that how you plan to build a
lasting peace?
Wilson: No, my 14 Points will make all European countries equal and more friendly
towards each other. The 14th Point sets up a League of Nations – an international peace
keeping force that will make sure no huge wars happen again. If Germany is treated
harshly in this treaty, then there will be another war.
Clemenceau: My country of France is in ruins. Whole towns are destroyed! Over a
million lives lost! I will not allow Germany to get away with this! They must be punished!
Narrator: The arguments continued for days. Clemenceau and David Lloyd George were
so angry at Germany that finally, Wilson gave in to many of their demands. Germany was
going to be punished by the Treaty of Versailles.
Clemenceau: Well, Mr. Wilson, you may be proud of yourself. Thanks to you we have
agreed to a League of Nations. Never again will nations have to go to war to settle their
differences. History will remember you as a good man who helped to make this war the
last war. War is finished!
Wilson: I pray sir, that your prediction will come true – not for my sake, but for the
sake of people everywhere.
Questions
1. How did David Lloyd George and Clemenceau feel that the losers should be treated?
2. How did Wilson believe losers should be treated?
3. Why might the views of the European leaders at the conference be so different that
President Wilson’s ideas?
4. What was the purpose of the League of Nations that Wilson proposed?