The Versailles Peace Treaty (1919)

• Signing: Held at Versailles, excluding defeated nations.
• Key Figures:
  • Clemenceau (France): Sought severe punishment for Germany.
  • Lloyd George (UK): Moderate, influenced by public sentiment for punishment.
  • Orlando (Italy): Focused on territorial gains.
  • Wilson (USA): Promoted peace principles.

Wilson’s Fourteen Points

1. Abolition of secret diplomacy.
2. Free navigation at sea for all nations.
3. Removal of economic barriers and equality in trading.
4. Reduction of armaments.
5. Impartial adjustment of colonial claims.
6. Recognition of Russian territory.
7. Restoration of Belgium’s sovereignty.
8. Liberation of France and restoration of Alsace and Lorraine.
9. Readjustment of Italian borders along nationality lines.
10. Self-government for peoples of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire.
11. Evacuation of Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro, with access for Serbia to the sea.
12. Self-government for non-Turkish races of the Turkish Empire and permanent opening of the Dardanelles.
13. Creation of an independent Poland with secure access to the sea.
14. Establishment of a general association of countries to preserve peace.

Terms of the Versailles Settlement

1. War Guilt Clause: Germany accepted blame for the war.
2. Territorial Losses: Significant land ceded to various countries.
3. Reparations: Germany to pay £6.6 billion in reparations.
4. Disarmament: Strict limits on military capabilities.
5. Formation of the League of Nations: Germany excluded from initial membership.

Germany’s Reaction to the Versailles Treaty

1. War Guilt Clause:
   • Germany denied sole responsibility for the war, arguing that Russia and Britain shared the blame.
   • Russia’s mobilization and support for Serbia made conflict likely.
   • Britain’s declaration of war over Belgium was seen as unjustified.
2. Disarmament Clause:
   • Anger over the restriction to 100,000 soldiers, deemed insufficient for law enforcement.
   • Perception that it was unfair to disarm only Germany.
3. Loss of Territories:
   • Loss of economic and political capacity due to territorial cessions in Europe and Africa.
   • Colonies were vital for raw materials and markets.
   • Germans in Sudetenland and Polish Corridor lost their rights under the Self-Determination policy.
4. 1. League of Nations:
      • Exclusion of defeated powers from the Versailles Conference led to feelings of dictated peace (diktat).
      • Germany felt less obliged to adhere to the Treaty and League decisions due to this exclusion.
   2. Reparations:
      • Resentment over high reparations, leading to economic collapse and rising unemployment.
      • Default on payments in 1923 led to French and Belgian troops invading the Ruhr to collect reparations.

   Germany’s Reaction to the Invasion of the Ruhr

   1. Worker Boycott:
      • Encouragement of industrial worker strikes and boycotts.
   2. Sabotage:
      • Destruction of industries and products to impede collection efforts by France and Belgium.

   Assessment of the Versailles Peace Treaty

   Strengths:

   1. Formation of the League of Nations aimed at maintaining peace and promoting development.
   2. Self-Determination policy allowed minority groups to pursue independence.