© Boardworks Ltd 2006 1 of 16 International relations 1919-1939

© Boardworks Ltd 20061 of 16

International relations 1919-1939


The end of the war

With the arrival of American troops in 1918, the western allies finally managed to break the military deadlock and push the Germans back.

By the winter of 1918, Germany could no longer continue to fight the war and sought peace terms.

Image courtesy of The World War I Document Archive.

The armistice between Germany and the Allies was signed in a German railway carriage at 5 a.m. on November 11th 1918. After four years of bitter fighting, the guns fell silent.


The end of the war

Country

Soldiers dead or missing

Allies France 1,720,000

Britain 1,020,000

USA 73,000

Russia 1,700,000

Central Powers

Austria-Hungary

1,780,000

Germany

1,700,000

How do you think most British and French people felt about Germany?

Image courtesy of The World War I Document Archive.

In all, around 9 million soldiers lay dead. Millions more returned home with horrific injuries.


The Mood in 1919

• When the leaders of Britain, France and the USA arrived in Paris in January 1919 to draw up a treaty after WWI, they were already under pressure to deal severely with Germany.

• The people of the victorious countries, especially Britain and France, felt Germany was to blame for the war and should be punished.


The Mood in 1919

• There was a strong feeling that Germany should pay for all the damage and destruction caused by the war.

• Apart from USA all countries that had fought in the war were exhausted, economically and industrially.

• They believed Germany was evil and needed to be punished.

• Although the war had ended in 1918 , bitterness and hatred was far from over.


The Paris Peace Conference

• Over 1000 politicians from 32 different nations attended the Paris Peace Conference.

• Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and turkey were not allowed to attend as they lost the war

• Russia were also omitted for having dropped out of the war.

• It met throughout 1919 and 1920• It attempted to resolve the problems

caused by the war.


Who were the key players?

Georges ClemenceauPresident of France. He was a fiery politician

nicknamed ‘The Tiger’.

David Lloyd George

British Prime Minister.

Lloyd George was an

experienced politician.

Woodrow Wilson

The American President. He had brought

the US into the war in 1917.


Georges Clemenceau

I want Germany punished. They have invaded France twice

in the last 50 years; they have occupied our land and burned our towns. We have suffered and the Germans have not! I want them to suffer as France has suffered.

I demand that Germany face a peace that is just to France and

leaves Germany too weak to ever threaten us again.

Clemenceau


Q.3a what were the aims of Clemenceau at the Paris Peace Conference? (4)

Clemenceau wanted to cripple Germany so that it would not attack France again.

He wanted compensation to pay for the damage caused by Germany in WWI.

He wanted a demilitarised RhinelandHe wanted to take Alsace Lorraine back

from Germany.


Lloyd George

David Lloyd George

When I was elected, I told the British public I

would squeeze Germany “until the pips squeak”, but Britain needs

trade to recover from the war. The Germans must be punished, but not so

much that we can’t trade with them.

And what about the Bolshevik threat? If we make the Germans too poor, they

could be attracted towards Bolshevism. We don’t want a revolution in Germany.

There needs to be a balance for peace to work.


Q.3a What did David Lloyd George want from the Paris Peace conference? (4)

Lloyd George wanted Germany to lose its Navy and colonies. He wanted Germany to be punished but not too harshly as he also feared retaliation. He wanted to protect the British empire and continue trading with Germany. He was more willing to compromise than the other two. He wanted them both to meet in the middle over their decisions to punish Germany.


Wilson

Woodrow Wilson

Certainly, Germany needs to be punished, but the victors need to

look at the issue of how to avoid war. There should be self-determination – the people of Europe, and indeed the World,

should be allowed to rule themselves rather than being the subjects of great

empires.

And there can be no more ‘old alliances’ – there needs to be a League of Nations

to solve international disputes.

This will be my legacy.


Q.3a What did Woodrow Wilson want from the Paris Peace conference? (4)

He believed Germany should be punished but not too harshly in case they wanted revenge.

He wanted to set up the League of Nations.He wanted people to be able to rule

themselves. (self determination)HE WANTED TO STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY

IN GERMANY SO ITS PEOPLE WOULD NOT LET ITS LEADERS LEAD THEM INTO ANOTHER WAR.


The Negotiations

• The relationship between the big three became more strained as the peace talks continued.

• There was confusion about the extent to which the victors should take revenge on the defeated nations.

• Being in Paris put extra pressure on the peace delegates.


Disagreements and Negotiations

• Disagreements between Clemenceau and WilsonDisagreements between Clemenceau and Wilson• The USA had not suffered as badly as France in

the war.• Clemenceau resented Wilson’s more generous

attitude to Germany.• They disagreed over what to do with Germany’s

Rhineland (which France wanted demilitarised)• They disagreed over what to do about the

coalfields in the Saar as Germany had destroyed Frances in WW1 France wanted these.


Disagreements and Negotiations

• Disagreements between Clemenceau and Lloyd Disagreements between Clemenceau and Lloyd GeorgeGeorge

• Clemenceau clashed with Lloyd George particularly over his desire not to punish Germany too harshly. Clemenceau wanted to cripple Germany, whereas Lloyd George wanted to keep trading links.

• Disagreements between Wilson and Lloyd GeorgeDisagreements between Wilson and Lloyd George• Wilson and Lloyd George did not agree at all times.

Lloyd George did not agree with Wilson’s point 2 of his 14 points, which stated that all nations should have access to the seas.

• Also Wilson’s views on all people ruling themselves were threatening to the GB government as the GB empire ruled millions of people across the world.


• Compromises of Clemenceau and Lloyd George Compromises of Clemenceau and Lloyd George with Wilsonwith Wilson

• In the end Wilson gave in on the issues of reparation payments, Germany territories etc.


Wilsons 14 points

1. No secret treaties

2. Free access to the seas in peacetime or wartime

3. Free trade between countries

4. All countries to work towards disarmament

5. Colonies to have a say in their own future

6. German troops to leave Russia

7. Independence for Belgium

8. France to regain Alsace-Lorraine

9. Frontier between Austria and Italy to be adjusted

10. Self-determination for the peoples of Eastern Europe (they should rule themselves)

11. Serbia to have access to the sea

12. Self-determination for the people in the Turkish Empire

13. Poland to become an independent state with access to the sea

14. League of Nations to be set up


1919 – Why did the big three disagree?

• The people of the Victorious countries, particularly France and Britain put pressure on Clemenceau and Lloyd George to punish Germany.

• People felt that Germany was responsible for the war so should be punished.

• People felt that Germany should pay for all the damage and destruction caused by the war.


1919 – Why did the big three disagree?

• The economies and industries of the countries were in a bad state.

• Millions of young men had been killed or injured.

• Ordinary civilians had faced shortage of food and medicine.


Q. 3b Explain why Clemenceau wanted to punish Germany at the Paris Peace Conference? (6)• To cripple Germany so Germany could not attack

France again• As compensation for the loss of lives and land

during WWI• He had pressure from the French public to ensure

Germany was punished.

• 3 points! Now explain them


Q. 3b Explain why Clemenceau wanted to punish Germany at the Paris Peace Conference? (6)• To cripple Germany so Germany could not attack France

again. This was because France was very close geographically to Germany, and therefore always had the worry of facing future attacks.

• As compensation for the loss of lives and land during WWI. This was because most of the fighting had taken place in France and therefore they had lost over a million men and millions of pounds of damage had been caused.

• He had pressure from the French public to ensure Germany was punished. This was because Clemenceau knew the French public would not be happy with a less harsh Treaty and he had to ensure he kept the public happy.


The Treaty of Versailles

• None of the big three were happy with the eventual terms of the treaty.

• All of them had to compromise on some of their aims otherwise there would not have been a treaty at all.

• The main terms can be divided into 5 areas.


Whole page - What the treaty covered

What should happen to the land and colonies of the defeated nations?

Who was to blame for the war?

Should there be a League of Nations and

how should it work? Who should pay for the

cost of the war and repairing the damage?

What should happen to the remaining German

armed forces?


Leader

Aims Motives Pleased With

Unhappy with

General Importance

David Lloyd GeorgeBritain

1) Wanted Reparations

2) Wanted Germany to lose colonies

3) Germany navy reduced

4) Keep trading links with Germany

1) In debt to USA

2) Wanted to have the biggest naval power

3) Wanted to keep trading with Germany.

1) German colonies lost

2) Smaller German navy.

1) Thought harshness of reparations would ruin Germany.

2) Believed it would cause another war.

Helped the Empire and Navy


Leader Aims Motives Pleased With

Unhappy with

General Importance

Georges Clemenceau

France

1) Cripple Germany to prevent future invasion.

2) Germany broken into smaller states

3) Reparations

4) Alsace-Lorraine returned to France.

1) Revenge for death and destruction

2) Money to pay off debts

3) Prevent another German invasion.

4) Bitter about losing Alsace Lorraine

1) Huge reparations.

2) Small German army

3) Reduction in German colonies

1) Wanted a harsher treaty.

Harshness of Treaty angered Germans and gave Hitler his chance.


Leader Aims Motives Pleased With

Unhappy with

General Importance

Woodrow Wilson

America

1) Long lasting Peace

2) Set up League of Nations

3) Introduce 14 points, including disarmament.

4) Self-determination

1) Punishment kept to a minimum to prevent another war.

2) International co-operation

3) Didn’t believe in empires.

1) League of Nations set up.

2) Self det. for people of Eastern Europe.

1) Some of 14 points did not get into the Treaty.

2) US senate refused to join the League or sign Treaty.

Got the League of Nations but failed to get the US senate on board so both league and treaty failed.

Documents

© Boardworks Ltd 2006 1 of 16 International relations 1919-1939