Treaty of Versailles and WWI Treaties

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Treaty of Versailles and WWI Treaties

• Objectives
• 1) Demonstrate an understanding of the
  similarities and differences between the Treaty
  of Versailles and the Fourteen Points.
• 2) Assess the Treaty of Versailles and draw
  conclusions about the positive and negative
  aspects of the treaty.

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Paris Peace Conference What were Goals of
Major Powers?

• France
• 1 SECURITY against Germany (Rhineland)
• 2 Reparations
• 3 Alsace-Lorraine
• Great Britain
• Prime Min Allow German recovery
• Citizens Make Germany Pay
• Italy Adriatic Coast
• US Fourteen Points
• Collective security

George, Orlando, Clemenceau, Wilson
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Similarities Fourteen Points and Paris Peace
Conference Treaties

• Alsace-Lorraine to France
• League of Nations
• Promote International Cooperation
• Maintain Peace (settle disputes reduce arms)
• Independence / Self-determination for Poland and
  some others
• Dardanelles Turkish but controlled by
  international commission

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Europe 1914
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Europe 1919
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Contrasts Fourteen Points and Paris Peace
Conference Treaties

• British vetoed Freedom of Seas
• Readjustment of Colonial Claims
  Self-determination
• Who lost ALL their Imperialistic lands?
  ___________________________
• War Guilt Clause
• Who was punished in the Treaty?
  ________________________________
• Massive Reparations (impossible to repay?)
• 30 Billion
• 2.7 TRILLION today
• Even for Pensions of widows of Allied soldiers
• Lost imperialists territories
• Severe limits on German military
• no conscription / army lt 100,000
• no u-boats / only 6 war ships
• destroy airforce heavy artillery

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United States Response

• Woodrow Wilson
• Disappointment in peace of vengeance
• But hope for League of Nations
• U.S. Senate
• Voted NOT to join League of Nations
• League fails WWII less than 20 years later...
• Ratified separate treaty later on
• New Recognition of American Power

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The Road to WWII...

• Germany
• German leaders had No Say in Treaty
• Bitterness over Guilt Clause and Reparations
• Economy unable to recover
• E. Prussia cut off (Nationalities problem)
• Italy
• Heavily in Debt
• Increasing Unemployment Unrest

Hitler
Mussolini
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CLOSURE Questions

• Was the treaty a PEACE of Justice or PEACE of
  Revenge? (underline your answer and say WHY?)
• What were the biggest mistakes of the Treaty of
  Versailles? (list them using bullets)
• What positive aspects do you see in the treaty?
• List two comparisons and two contrasts between
  the Fourteen Points and the Treaty of Versailles.
• Why are these ideas relevant to us today?

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DISCUSSIONWhat do you think of the Treaty of
Versailles and the other WWI treaties?