Source Assessment on Versailles
1. Source A opposes Germany. How do you know? Explain your answer
using Source A and your contextual knowledge (4)
First of all, we know that Source A opposes Germany because it portrays Germany as a
criminal. In the caption, ‘German Criminal’ is written, and in the cartoon, the man depicting
Germany looks unappealing and suspicious. Secondly, Germany is complaining loudly, but
whispering ‘if I only whine enough’, while bound by the Armistice Terms rope. The Armistice,
signed on November 11th 1918, was hated by Germans and those who signed it were called
the ‘November Criminals’. The caption suggests that Germany is only complaining about the
terms so they can escape from having to take responsibility for their actions. This is a rather
underhanded and sneaky thing to do, further portraying Germany in a negative light.
2. How useful are sources B and C to a historian studying opinions
about the Treaty of Versailles? Explain your answer by using Sources
B and C and your contextual knowledge. (12)
Source B is a cartoon published in a British newspaper on 13 th May 1940, showing a rather
negative and pessimistic view of the Treaty of Versailles. This source is useful because it
shows that not everyone in Britain supported the Treaty. This cartoon was published in a
public newspaper, so we can assume that other people who read this newspaper, would have
held a similarly critical view of the Treaty. The date in which this cartoon was published is also
useful. It was published on 13th May 1919, while the Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 th
June 1919. The fact that this cartoon was published before the Treaty was signed, shows that
some people predicted it would cause disaster before they knew about its terms. The title of
the piece ‘Future Cannon Fodder’, suggests that children born in time of the Peace Treaties
will become food for cannons tomorrow: they will die in future wars. Also, Source B shows that
not only Lloyd-George, but many others public felt that the Treaty was too harsh. We know
this because ‘The 1940 Class’ is depicted as a naked child, which implies that the people of
Germany have been left vulnerable, due to the terms of the Treaty, and their anger will likely
cause another war or future problems.
While Source B is very clearly opposed to the Treaty of Versailles, Source C shows a more
mixed view. Source C contains the private opinions of Edward House, one of Woodrow
Wilson’s chief advisors. This diary entry was written a day after the Treaty was signed,
showing House’s immediate and honest response to the terms of the treaty. House’s view is a
mixed view, stating that while the treaty is not great, it was the best that could have been
made in the circumstances. Since House was involved in the making of the Treaty, we can
assume that others involved in it creation also held similar mixed opinions and strengthens
the argument that the Treaty was a big compromise that no-one was entirely pleased with -
making it useful to historians studying opinions about the Treaty. Source C is also useful
because it shows us that even those close to Wilson (his supporters), thought that it was
virtually impossible to achieve the international peace from the Treaty Wilson strived for,
suggesting that his views were a bit idealistic. Furthermore, this source is useful because it
also shows the attitudes and values of the American government. They knew that there would
have to be some difficulties, but above all they wanted peace and for America to not be
involved in any more wars.
1. Source A opposes Germany. How do you know? Explain your answer
using Source A and your contextual knowledge (4)
First of all, we know that Source A opposes Germany because it portrays Germany as a
criminal. In the caption, ‘German Criminal’ is written, and in the cartoon, the man depicting
Germany looks unappealing and suspicious. Secondly, Germany is complaining loudly, but
whispering ‘if I only whine enough’, while bound by the Armistice Terms rope. The Armistice,
signed on November 11th 1918, was hated by Germans and those who signed it were called
the ‘November Criminals’. The caption suggests that Germany is only complaining about the
terms so they can escape from having to take responsibility for their actions. This is a rather
underhanded and sneaky thing to do, further portraying Germany in a negative light.
2. How useful are sources B and C to a historian studying opinions
about the Treaty of Versailles? Explain your answer by using Sources
B and C and your contextual knowledge. (12)
Source B is a cartoon published in a British newspaper on 13 th May 1940, showing a rather
negative and pessimistic view of the Treaty of Versailles. This source is useful because it
shows that not everyone in Britain supported the Treaty. This cartoon was published in a
public newspaper, so we can assume that other people who read this newspaper, would have
held a similarly critical view of the Treaty. The date in which this cartoon was published is also
useful. It was published on 13th May 1919, while the Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 th
June 1919. The fact that this cartoon was published before the Treaty was signed, shows that
some people predicted it would cause disaster before they knew about its terms. The title of
the piece ‘Future Cannon Fodder’, suggests that children born in time of the Peace Treaties
will become food for cannons tomorrow: they will die in future wars. Also, Source B shows that
not only Lloyd-George, but many others public felt that the Treaty was too harsh. We know
this because ‘The 1940 Class’ is depicted as a naked child, which implies that the people of
Germany have been left vulnerable, due to the terms of the Treaty, and their anger will likely
cause another war or future problems.
While Source B is very clearly opposed to the Treaty of Versailles, Source C shows a more
mixed view. Source C contains the private opinions of Edward House, one of Woodrow
Wilson’s chief advisors. This diary entry was written a day after the Treaty was signed,
showing House’s immediate and honest response to the terms of the treaty. House’s view is a
mixed view, stating that while the treaty is not great, it was the best that could have been
made in the circumstances. Since House was involved in the making of the Treaty, we can
assume that others involved in it creation also held similar mixed opinions and strengthens
the argument that the Treaty was a big compromise that no-one was entirely pleased with -
making it useful to historians studying opinions about the Treaty. Source C is also useful
because it shows us that even those close to Wilson (his supporters), thought that it was
virtually impossible to achieve the international peace from the Treaty Wilson strived for,
suggesting that his views were a bit idealistic. Furthermore, this source is useful because it
also shows the attitudes and values of the American government. They knew that there would
have to be some difficulties, but above all they wanted peace and for America to not be
involved in any more wars.
