The document discusses the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War 1. The key Allied powers of France, Britain, and the US disagreed on how harsh the terms for Germany should be. France wanted harsh punishment due to the extensive damage and loss of life on its territory, while the US and Britain advocated for more lenient terms. The final treaty signed in Versailles heavily punished Germany by taking land, dissolving its military, and imposing massive reparations that contributed to economic instability, laying the groundwork for World War 2.

1. Unit 2 Notes

2. In November 1918 Germany surrenders to the Allied countries. The most powerful ones, being France, USA and Britain, wanted to create a treaty that clearly explained what Germany would now have to do. BUT WHAT SHOULD THEY DO? PUNISH? REBUILD? TAKE OVER? REVENGE!

5. Many Historians believe that disagreements happened because the war affected the countries in many different ways. WHAT COUNTRIES WERE INVOLVED...

6. BRITAIN 750,000 men died Spent nearly $8 billion of which $1 billion was borrowed from the USA Some British people blamed Germany for the war and wanted revenge The British Prime Minister thought that if the Treaty was too harsh, then Germany might one day start another war. I don’t want to cripple Germany in the Treaty. I think that this could start another war in the future, but people in Britain want Germany to pay.

7. USA They joined in 1917 and lost 113,000 men. USA’s homeland was never attacked USA wanted a ‘softer’ treaty because they thought Germany was important for the future... Woodrow Wilson: I don’t agree with France. Its probably because we didn’t suffer nearly as much as the French. However, I want to focus upon setting up the League of Nations . US did not join the League of Nations for fear of being drawn into more wars. This also means the US did not sign the Treaty of Versailles.

8. FRANCE Most of the fighting took place in Northern France. 1,250,000 men died Germany stole 90% of France’s coal and iron in 1914 Many roads and factories had been destroyed I want to make sure that Germany pays for the problems it has caused us. We suffered the most in WW1 and we demand revenge and reparations Clemencau

9. FRANCE USA BRITAIN “ SIGN THE TREATY OR WE WILL INVADE YOU……ITS YOUR CHOICE!” The treaty was dictated to Germany-- they did not have a say in it.

10. LEAGUE OF NATIONS MASSIVE ARMY CUTS The Army was cut to just 100,000 men, the Navy could only have 6 battleships, and they were not allowed to build any new planes, tanks, or submarines. GERMAN LAND GIVEN AWAY Germany lost land to France, Poland, Belgium, and Denmark. An area of Germany was even separated from the mainland. GERMANY’S EMPIRE All of Germany’s colonies were taken away and given away to the Allied countries. PAY COMPENSATION This was know as reparations. Germany had to pay $33 billion dollars. WHAT DID THE TREATY ACCOMPLISH? This organization of nations would cooperate to keep peace. Treaty of Versailles

11. Not only did Germany lose about 10% of its land, it also consequently lost 10% of its population. German people were now living in foreign countries. Land taken away from Germany under the treaty of Versailles

12. “ Today in the Hall of Mirrors of Versailles the disgraceful Treaty is being signed. Do not forget it. The German people will press forward to reconquer the place among nations to which we deserve. Then will come revenge for the shame of 1919.” Excerpt from a German newspaper on the day the treaty was signed...

13. Germany was a proud country due to its military strength and strong traditions of dominance within that area of Europe. However, the treaty of Versailles created different feelings: Humiliation Bitterness Embarrassment Revenge

14. The war had left Germany almost bankrupt. As its people starved and the country lay in chaos, the Allies gave them a bill (Treaty of Versailles) that they simply could not afford to pay... RESULT: German money become worthless German m on ey was only good for starting fires…