CIE IGCSE History: Treaty of Versailles

Peace Treaties and Key Dates

• Treaty of Versailles: Peace treaty establishing terms after Germany's WW1 surrender.
• Versailles Settlement: Collective term for treaties from the Paris Peace Conference.
• WW1 Armistice: Ceasefire took effect on 11 November 1918.
• Treaty of Versailles Signing: Occurred on 28 June 1919.

The Big Three Leaders

• Woodrow Wilson: US President advocating for world peace with 14 points for peace.
• David Lloyd George: British Prime Minister known for a pragmatic approach to treaty negotiations.
• George Clemenceau: French Prime Minister, a tough leader nicknamed 'The Tiger', desired a harsh treaty.

Territorial and Military Provisions

• Alsace-Lorraine: Region returned to France, previously conquered by Germany.
• Disarmament Restrictions: Limited Germany's military to 100,000 troops without conscription; prohibited tanks and aircraft; navy restricted to limited ships.
• Demilitarisation of the Rhineland: Established as a demilitarised zone adjacent to France with allied occupation.

Economic Consequences

• War Guilt Clause (Article 231): Germany accepted full responsibility for the war.
• Reparations: Germany required to pay reparations, amount determined by a committee.

Political Concepts and Governance

• Self-Determination: Wilson’s principle allowing nations to choose their governance.
• Mandate System: The League of Nations administered territories formerly governed by defeated powers, benefiting Britain and France.
• League of Nations: An early international organization aimed at maintaining peace, structured by a Covenant outlining its functions and authorities.

League of Nations Structure

• Council: Executive body with permanent members (Britain, France, Italy, Japan) that required unanimous voting.
• Assembly: Annual gathering assessing general policy and admitting new members.
• Secretariat: Administrative arm handling organizational functions.
• Permanent Court of International Justice: Provided arbitration in disputes.

League of Nations Challenges and Actions

• Notable Non-Members: Included the USA (no entanglement), Germany (joined in 1926), USSR (joined in 1934), Japan (withdrew in 1933), and Italy (withdrew in 1937).
• Collective Security: Proposed measures included moral disapproval, economic sanctions, and military actions to maintain peace.

Conflicts and Responses

• Teschen (1920): Territorial conflict between Poland and Czechoslovakia managed by the League.
• Aaland Islands (1921): Decision to keep the islands under Finnish control, prohibiting weapons.
• Greece-Bulgaria Incident (1925): League intervened in a military conflict, imposing reparations on Greece.

Major Failures of the League

• Invasion of Ruhr (1923): Allies violated the League’s Covenant while asserting reparations.
• Manchuria Invasion (1931): Japan's aggression went unchecked due to its economic ties with other nations.
• Abyssinia (1935): League’s sanctions against Italy proved ineffective, showcasing its limitations.

Prelude to WWII

• Spanish Civil War (1936-39): Allowed fascist powers to strengthen, while the League chose not to intervene.
• Global Depression: Economic turmoil post-1929 Wall Street crash weakened the League’s authority and unity.
• Policy of Appeasement: British reluctance to confront Hitler’s remilitarization efforts paved the way for WWII.

Hitler's Foreign Policy Goals

• Objectives included dismantling the Treaty of Versailles, expanding German territory, combating communism, and unifying German-speaking peoples.
• Early actions: Refused reparations, expanded military practices, and sought to annex Saar region and Sudetenland.

Major Events Leading to WWII

• Nazi-Soviet Pact (August 1939): Non-aggression agreement allowed for coordinated actions in Europe, including joint plans for Poland.
• Invasion of Poland: Initiated on 1 September 1939, prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany.