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Treaty of Versailles Exercise
The document provides background information on World War I casualties and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. It notes that World War I left Europe devastated with over 9.5 million deaths total and vast areas of northeastern Europe reduced to rubble. The "Big Three" politicians - Lloyd George, Clemenceau, and Wilson - negotiated the treaty with Germany at Versailles. It was aimed at keeping Germany weak but left many Germans feeling unfairly punished, fueling future tensions in Europe.
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Treaty of Versailles Exercise
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- 2. The Treatywas signed after World War One had ended in 1918 Signed at the vast Versailles Palace near Paris between Germany and the Allies in 1919 Three most important politicians there were David Lloyd George (GB), Georges Clemenceau (Fr), and Woodrow Wilson (USA) – known as the “Big Three” Many wanted Germany, led by Friedrich Ebert, smashed, but others, like Lloyd George were more cautious
- 3. WWI leftEurope devastated, casualties of the Entente were: ◦ Britain: 750,000 killed, 1,500,000 wounded ◦ France: 1,400,000 killed, 2,500,000 wounded ◦ Belgium: 50,000 killed ◦ Italy: 600,000 killed ◦ Russia: 1,700,000 killed ◦ America: 116,000 killed
- 4. Those whofought against the Entente suffered heavy casualties as well: ◦ Germany: 2,000,000 killed ◦ Austria-Hungary: 1,200,000 killed ◦ Turkey: 325,000 killed ◦ Bulgaria: 100,000 killed Total deaths of all nations who fought in the war are estimated at 9.5 million with 21 million wounded
- 5. Vast areasof north-eastern Europe had been reduced to rubble The homes of 750,000 French people were destroyed along with infrastructure Roads, coal mines, telegraph poles had all been destroyed which hindered progress
- 6. The ‘victors’from the Great War were in no mood to be charitable to the defeated nations Germany in particular was held responsible for the war and its consequences Mid-1918 saw Europe hit by the Spanish Flu which saw 25 million people die, added to bitterness throughout Europe Treaty was signed June 28th 1919 after months of negotiation
- 7. Note: ◦ Rhinelandis the part of Germany near France, France wanted it to be under supervision so that Germany would not attack again in the future ◦ Alsace-Lorraine was taken from France by the Germans for its resources in 1870 ◦ Saar is German territory but the Allies would like it to rebuild their countries ◦ Poland: Old country that was taken over by Russia and Germany ◦ Danzig: Important port, citizens are 90% German ◦ Czechoslovakia: very important industrial part of Austria/Hungary, 67% Czechs or Slovaks
- 8. Note: ◦ Poland:Old country that was taken over by Russia and Germany ◦ Danzig: Important port, citizens are 90% German ◦ Czechoslovakia: very important industrial part of Austria/Hungary, 67% Czechs or Slovaks
- 9. Satisfied the“Big Three”: ◦ Kept Germany weak ◦ Safeguarded the French/German border ◦ Created League of Nations to end warfare ◦ Made Germany pay for war damages Left a mood of anger throughout Germany: ◦ Felt they were treated unfairly ◦ Hated the clause giving them blame for the war ◦ Those who signed for Germany were called “November Criminals” ◦ People felt they were being punished for something the government did
- 11. 1. Compare thesize of Germany before and after the war. Locate and name two countries that received territory in 1919, which formerly belonged to Germany. 2. What happened to Austria-Hungary in 1918? Name the newly independent nations that were created in Europe. 3. Name and locate four new countries that were created from former Russian territory. To what other countries did Russia lose territory?
- 12. 4. Locate thePolish Corridor on the map. How might the creation of the Polish Corridor lead to problems among nations in the future? 5. How might the creation of a number of new small nations in Europe lead to future territorial disputes?
- 13. Was theTreaty of Versailles a Fair and Just Settlement to the War? Choose and analyse 5 points from your voting points sheet. For each, explain whether each was fair or unfair and why. Use this information to practice writing a paragraph.
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- 15. Write aparagraph describing your experiences in the simulation. Touch upon: ◦ The role of your country ◦ How other countries were treated ◦ Was the treaty process fair? What do you think Germany deserved/didn’t deserve? ◦ Do you see this benefitting or hurting Europe? ◦ Your opinion on the experience: how can it be improved?