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Chapter 1 Notes

The document discusses the fairness of the peace treaties from 1919 to 1923, focusing on the motivations of key figures such as Lloyd George, Clemenceau, and Wilson. It examines the impact of these treaties on Germany and the broader changes in Europe, including the creation of new states and territorial adjustments. The document raises questions about whether the treaties were justified at the time and their long-term implications.

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20 views19 pages

Chapter 1 Notes

The document discusses the fairness of the peace treaties from 1919 to 1923, focusing on the motivations of key figures such as Lloyd George, Clemenceau, and Wilson. It examines the impact of these treaties on Germany and the broader changes in Europe, including the creation of new states and territorial adjustments. The document raises questions about whether the treaties were justified at the time and their long-term implications.

Uploaded by

natwatkins
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PAPER 2

FAIRNESS OF TREATIES

1
1919-1923
CONTENT REVISION
WERE THE PEACE TREATIES OF 1919–23 FAIR?
Focus Points
• What were the motives and aims of the Big Three at Versailles?
• Why did all the victors not get everything they wanted?
• What was the impact of the peace treaty on Germany up to 1923?
• Could the treaties be justified at the time?
The peace treaties of 1919–23:
– the roles of individuals such as Wilson, Clemenceau and Lloyd
in the peacemaking process
– the impact of the treaties on the defeated countries
– contemporary opinions about the treaties
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D
DAVID LLOYD GEORGE – GB - MOTIVATIONS
The British Empire has lost 800,000 men in
WWI, and the Empire’s finances are
struggling to cope with the cost of the
conflict.
Public opinion in Britain demands that
Germany is punished severely, and Lloyd
George promises to ‘squeeze the Germans
until the pip squeaks.’
He wants to make sure the German Navy, a
threat to Britain, is destroyed, also has his
eyes on German colonies, as he wants to
add them to the British empire.
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D
DAVID LLOYD GEORGE – GB - cont.
George is very pragmatic and gets the nickname ‘the fox’ due to his
cunning and manipulative nature.
He knows that if Germany is punished too harshly, it will only lead to
future conflict.
Before WWI, Germany was Britain’s largest trading partner in
Europe, and Lloyd George realises that Germany must not be
with reparations to the extent that it cannot trade with Britain in the
future.
After a landslide election victory in December 1918, he privately acts to
try and curb France’s desire for vengeance.

CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D


GEORGE CLEMENCEAU – FR - MOTIVATIONS
France has suffered terribly from WWI.
1,200,000 Frenchmen have died, and
the majority of the fighting has taken
place on French soil.
Thousands of miles of rural France have
have been destroyed or ruined by 4
years of warfare.
For many Frenchman, this is the second
time in their lifetime they have been
invaded by the Germans, as many still
remember 1870.

CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D


GEORGE CLEMENCEAU – FR – cont.
Clemenceau wants Germany to be crippled so it can never again
threaten France.
Some even want Germany to be broken up into states as they were
pre 1871.
France also wants Germany to accept responsibility for the war, and
pay reparations to help to repair France.
Clemenceau is nicknamed ‘the tiger’ for his fearsome temper.

CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D


WOODROW WILSON – USA - MOTIVATIONS
America has lost around 120,000 men
during WWI, and they only enter the
conflict in 1917.
Their economy has benefitted from the
war, and Wilson is anxious to be able to
trade with Germany after the war.
He is anti-imperialist, which could
mean clashes with Britain, who have the
largest empire in history.
He also wants to eradicate the alliance
system, which America blames for
causing WWI.
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D
WOODROW WILSON – USA – cont.
He wants the League of Nations to be set up, to prevent further wars.
He is seen as an idealist, and he is less experienced than Lloyd
George or Clemenceau at international politics due to America’s
isolationism pre-WWI.
Wilson doesn’t want Germany to be punished too severely, but also
thinks they should accept some blame for their part in the war.

CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D


CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D
HOW IS EUROPE CHANGED BY THE TREATIES?

Europe in 1914 (left) and 1919 (right) post - Versailles.


What is noticeable is the huge change, both in the size of the central powers, and the number of new countries. This led to a
dangerous situation in post war Europe - some new, vulnerable and ethnically mixed states, surrounding the wounded
Germany. By the end of 1939 Poland, Czechoslovakia, Danzig, the Saarland and Austria would be under German control.

CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D


HOW IS EUROPE CHANGED BY THE TREATIES?

European land taken away from Germany in the treaty.


The ‘Polish corridor’ gave Poland access to the sea and caused much anger in Germany. The Saarland
have a plebiscite after 15 years to determine if it returned to Germany. Alsace Lorraine was given back to
France.
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D
IS THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES FAIR?

CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D


IS THE TREATY OF ST. GERMAIN FAIR?

CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D


IS THE TREATY OF NEUILLY FAIR?

CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D


IS THE TREATY OF TRIANON FAIR?

CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D


IS THE TREATY OF SEVRES FAIR?

CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D


IS THE TREATY OF LAUSANNE FAIR?

CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – FAIRNESS OF THE TREATIES – MR. D

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