Paris Peace Conference Overview

The Paris Peace Conference

• The Paris Peace Conference followed World War I, with a desire for peace but also various self-interests among involved nations.
• Countries were in ruins and wanted peace, but also wanted to punish the losing nations for the war.
• Nations, particularly France, wanted revenge for damages caused by Germany.
• The conference was held in France's capital, Paris.
• An allied/central/neutral country was chosen as the location for the conference.
• The victors in the war were more focused on holding Germany accountable and ensuring their defeat.
• Germany was not invited to participate until the very end of the conference, when they were forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles.
• The victorious nations didn't openly negotiate with the defeated nations, but instead used secretive or private processes.

Treaty of Versailles

• Germany's military was drastically reduced (100,000 soldiers).
• Germany was forbidden from having tanks, submarines, and fighter planes.
• Germany was required to pay substantial reparations (6.6 billion pounds over 42 years).
• Germany lost significant territories to neighboring countries.
• The Rhineland was established as a buffer zone.
• Germany and Austria were forbidden from uniting.
• Germany had to accept sole responsibility for starting the war (War Guilt Clause).

Impact of World War I

• Millions of deaths and injuries.
• Significant economic costs (estimated at $330 billion).
• Decline of powerful empires (Russian, Ottoman, German).
• Emergence of new nation-states.
• Development of new war technologies (poison gas, machine guns, tanks, submarines, and warplanes) altered warfare for future conflicts.
• Increased role of women.
• Formation of the League of Nations.