Aims and Motives of the three with the Treaty of Versailles
• 32 countries came together as they had to now decide what should
happen now the war was over
• The delegations worked for six months to produce the Treaty of
Versailles; this treaty only related to Germany lead country of the central
powers
• Three most important were the leaders of France, Britain, and the US
• Each of the big three had to consider the public opinion in their own
country as they were democratically elected
1. The popular press in the allied countries was a major influence on
public opinion. Newspapers played a key role in stirring emotions and
increasing expectations as they had done during the war itself
2. During the war a few secret treaties and agreements were made
which came to light
3. New lines on the world made had to be drawn up on Europe and Asia
Georges Clemenceau – French Prime Minister
• “The Tiger” – his aggressive style in political debates
• Took a hard approach on the peace agreement with Germany
• Remembering recent history with Germany – German invasion into
France in 1870 and 1914
• Wanted security and safety for France
• Second aim was reparations to be paid
• Tough measures against Germany included
1. The disarmament of German forces
2. High reparations to be paid
3. Return of Alsace and Lorraine
4. The Rhineland (area around the area Rhine) to be made an
independent state so that there was a buffer
5. Some German colonies to be handed over to France
British and US didn’t agree with this
David Lloyd George – British Prime Minister
• Newspapers called for the Kaiser to be tried and executed
• Another thing was wanted from the public other than punishing
Germany. Never again should people have to endure another war
• Believed that the Paris Peace Conference should try prevent conflict by
forming a new international organization to keep peace
, • During the election campaign of late 1918 Lloyd George promised that he
would make sure Germany paid the full costs of the war
• Paris, January 1919 he aimed for moderate peace treaty of that in
Britain’s interests
• Aimed to:
1. re-establish a balance of power in Europe so that no single Great
Power could dominate the continent
2. return to trading patterns with Europe and the Empire that had
made Britain so wealthy before the first world war
3. preserve British naval supremacy so it could guard the British
Empire and its shipping lanes
Woodrow Wilson, President of the US
• Declared war on Germany April 1917
• Announced that he was joining as an ‘Associated Power’ as the US was
different to the allies, the US were fighting for world peace
1. No more secret treaties
2. No restrictions on ships sailing during peace or war time
3. Barriers to free trade between nations reflect and create
economic power struggle btw countries
4. Armaments must be reduced in all countries to a level needed
only for defense so that countries would have insufficient
military force for aggression
5. German troops must leave Russia
6. Belgium’s independence must be restored
7. The provinces of Alsace and Lorraine must be returned to
France
8. The frontiers around Italy must be adjusted to match the
people’s nationality
9. The different ethnic groups must be given self-determination in
the Austro-Hungarian Empire
10.Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro should be restored
11.An independent Poland should be created with access to the sea
12.A league of nations should be formed to guarantee all countries
independence and secure borders
• 32 countries came together as they had to now decide what should
happen now the war was over
• The delegations worked for six months to produce the Treaty of
Versailles; this treaty only related to Germany lead country of the central
powers
• Three most important were the leaders of France, Britain, and the US
• Each of the big three had to consider the public opinion in their own
country as they were democratically elected
1. The popular press in the allied countries was a major influence on
public opinion. Newspapers played a key role in stirring emotions and
increasing expectations as they had done during the war itself
2. During the war a few secret treaties and agreements were made
which came to light
3. New lines on the world made had to be drawn up on Europe and Asia
Georges Clemenceau – French Prime Minister
• “The Tiger” – his aggressive style in political debates
• Took a hard approach on the peace agreement with Germany
• Remembering recent history with Germany – German invasion into
France in 1870 and 1914
• Wanted security and safety for France
• Second aim was reparations to be paid
• Tough measures against Germany included
1. The disarmament of German forces
2. High reparations to be paid
3. Return of Alsace and Lorraine
4. The Rhineland (area around the area Rhine) to be made an
independent state so that there was a buffer
5. Some German colonies to be handed over to France
British and US didn’t agree with this
David Lloyd George – British Prime Minister
• Newspapers called for the Kaiser to be tried and executed
• Another thing was wanted from the public other than punishing
Germany. Never again should people have to endure another war
• Believed that the Paris Peace Conference should try prevent conflict by
forming a new international organization to keep peace
, • During the election campaign of late 1918 Lloyd George promised that he
would make sure Germany paid the full costs of the war
• Paris, January 1919 he aimed for moderate peace treaty of that in
Britain’s interests
• Aimed to:
1. re-establish a balance of power in Europe so that no single Great
Power could dominate the continent
2. return to trading patterns with Europe and the Empire that had
made Britain so wealthy before the first world war
3. preserve British naval supremacy so it could guard the British
Empire and its shipping lanes
Woodrow Wilson, President of the US
• Declared war on Germany April 1917
• Announced that he was joining as an ‘Associated Power’ as the US was
different to the allies, the US were fighting for world peace
1. No more secret treaties
2. No restrictions on ships sailing during peace or war time
3. Barriers to free trade between nations reflect and create
economic power struggle btw countries
4. Armaments must be reduced in all countries to a level needed
only for defense so that countries would have insufficient
military force for aggression
5. German troops must leave Russia
6. Belgium’s independence must be restored
7. The provinces of Alsace and Lorraine must be returned to
France
8. The frontiers around Italy must be adjusted to match the
people’s nationality
9. The different ethnic groups must be given self-determination in
the Austro-Hungarian Empire
10.Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro should be restored
11.An independent Poland should be created with access to the sea
12.A league of nations should be formed to guarantee all countries
independence and secure borders
