The document discusses the differing viewpoints of Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George, and Georges Clemenceau during the negotiations of the Treaty of Versailles after World War 1. Wilson advocated for leniency on Germany and self-determination for smaller nations. Lloyd George publicly supported Wilson but privately disagreed with some points and wanted to weaken Germany. Clemenceau wanted to severely punish Germany to prevent future attacks on France. The treaty terms reflected compromises between their positions but ultimately dissatisfied all parties.

1. Were the treaties of 1919-23
fair?
High hopes for peace

2. Woodrow Wilson’s 14
Points
• In January 1918, President Woodrow
Wilson of the USA in a speech to
Congress laid out a peace proposal for
the end of the Great War.
• The ‘Fourteen Points’ were to create a
better and more peaceful post-Great
War (WW1) world.
• Principle points:
 Don’t be too harsh on Germany
 Strengthen democracy in defeated
nations
 Self determination to smaller nations
 International co-operation

3. David Lloyd
George
• In public, DLG praised Wilson’s ideas.
• In private he complained that Wilson
was a missionary to rescue Europe.
• He agreed on lesser punishment for
Germany.
• He disagreed on the idea of ‘self-
determination’ for smaller nations due
to the fact it would affect the colonies of
the Empire.
• He was also afraid of a communist
revolution in Germany, as was Wilson.
• He wanted to return to trading with a
resurging Germany.
• He wanted Germany to lose its navy and
colonies as it threatened the Empire.

4. Georges
Clemenceau
• Clemenceau saw the treaty as a path to
cripple Germany.
• He saw this as an opportunity never to
allow Germany to attack France again.
• He wanted Germany to pay for the
devastation of Eastern France and the
loss of so many young men.
• He supported the idea of Wilson’s 14
points but said ‘Even God only created
10 Commandment’!
• Clemenceau was a realist and knew he
would have to compromise on some
issues.

5. Treaty of
Versailles
• The treaty was principally discussed by
the leaders and delegates of 32 nations.
• It was soon evident that not everyone
could be consulted.
• Wilson, Clemenceau and Lloyd George
often clashed.
• Terms:
 War guilt clause
 Reparations
 German territories and colonies
 Germany’s armed forces
 League of Nations

6. German
response
• Political violence from Right-wing
opponents of the Ebert Weimar
government:
- November criminals.
- Kapp Putsch
- Adolph Hitler Munich Putsch
• Conflict on the Ruhr.
• 1922 no reparation payment
• The Treaty did cause genuine problems,
but Germans blamed it for other
problems.
• Resentment led to extreme groups
gaining influence.

7. How was the Treaty
seen at the time?
• Fair/unfair!
• None of the Big Three was happy with
the treaty.
• Many diplomats who helped shape the
Treaty were dissatisfied.
• Peacemakers were seen as blind and
selfish.
• Keynes wrote a book on the economic
consequences.
• German complaints fell on deaf ears –
they were not allowed to participate.
• Some people believed that the treaty
was not harsh enough.

8. How was the Treaty
seen in hindsight
• It created an unstable Germany which
enabled the Nazis to come to power
• It enabled World War 2
• Peacemakers had a tough time formulating
a just result
• According to some historians and the press,
some people saw the Treaty as too soft.
Some saw it as too harsh.
• It failed to reduce Germany to a weak
second rate power.
• The fall of the Tzar in Russia and the
collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
left Germany in a strong position.
• The Treaty failed to solve the problem of
punishment and conciliation.
• Peacemakers were not able to consolidate
their aims nor were they competent enough
to solve this unique problem at the time.
• Many critics in 1919 were able to provide e
better possible outcome even before the
Treaty was published. They were ignored

9. Other peace settlements
Treaty of St Germain – Austria 1919.
• Army limited to 30 000
• Austro-Hungarian Empire dismembered
• Austria economically crippled
• Royal family exiled
Treaty of Sevres – Turkey 1920.
• Lost land to Bulgaria, Italy, Greece.
• Lost Ottoman Empire in Middle East and North
Africa
• Armed forces limited to 50 000 men, virtually
no navy and no air force.
• Treaty later renegotiated - Treaty of Lausanne
Treaty of Neuilly – Bulgaria 1919
• Lost land to Greece, Romania and the new
Yugoslavia.
• Army limited to 20 000.
• Reparations of £10 million.
• Treated less harshly than Germanys other allies
Treaty of Trianon – Hungary 1920
• Lost territory to Romania, Czechoslovakia,
Yugoslavia.
• Due to pay reparations, but unable to due to
weak economy and never did