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Questions and Answers
What was the main goal of Georges Clemenceau, the French prime minister, at the Paris Peace Conference?
What was the main goal of Georges Clemenceau, the French prime minister, at the Paris Peace Conference?
To ensure the security of France by severely weakening Germany.
The Treaty of Versailles was supported by all three of the Great powers in its entirety?
The Treaty of Versailles was supported by all three of the Great powers in its entirety?
False
Which of these points were part of Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points?
Which of these points were part of Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points?
According to the document, what was the main reason for the US's opposition to the League of Nations?
According to the document, what was the main reason for the US's opposition to the League of Nations?
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What major impact did John Maynard Keynes's book have on the British public?
What major impact did John Maynard Keynes's book have on the British public?
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The Treaty of Versailles established a strong and effective League of Nations, with the US playing a key role.
The Treaty of Versailles established a strong and effective League of Nations, with the US playing a key role.
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The Treaty of Versailles was generally well-received by the German people?
The Treaty of Versailles was generally well-received by the German people?
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Why was the process of determining German reparations so difficult?
Why was the process of determining German reparations so difficult?
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What was the consequence of Germany's weak postwar economy on its ability to pay reparations?
What was the consequence of Germany's weak postwar economy on its ability to pay reparations?
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How did the Allies treat the defeated Central Powers differently in terms of troop limits?
How did the Allies treat the defeated Central Powers differently in terms of troop limits?
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The Allied powers successfully finalized entirely new and undisputed country borders at the end of World War I.
The Allied powers successfully finalized entirely new and undisputed country borders at the end of World War I.
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What were some of the key reasons for the Allied powers' failure to resolve conflicting territories in Central and Eastern Europe?
What were some of the key reasons for the Allied powers' failure to resolve conflicting territories in Central and Eastern Europe?
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Study Notes
The Paris Peace Conference
- Dominated by three "Great Powers": US President Woodrow Wilson, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, and French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau
- Italy also part of the "Big Four" but had little influence in final negotiations
- Russia and Germany were excluded from the conference
Georges Clemenceau (France)
- Sought security guarantees from the US and Britain against future German attacks
- Favored severe reparations from Germany to rebuild France
- Demilitarization of the Rhineland
- Alsace-Lorraine and German colonies return to France
David Lloyd George (Britain)
- Britain wanted Germany to be penalized heavily for the war
- Expansion of the British Empire through mandates
- Limiting the German navy to maintain British naval dominance
- Believed the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh and it would lead to another war in 25 years
Woodrow Wilson (US)
- Proposed 14 Points
- Open covenants, free navigation of seas
- No economic barriers, free trade
- Reduction of armaments
- Colonial adjustments based on popular sovereignty
- League of Nations creation for mutual guarantees
Vittorio Orlando (Italy)
- Italy felt entitled to more territories (Dalmatia, Fiume) than was awarded, leading to disappointment
Treaty of Versailles Failures
- Forced Germany to accept war guilt, enormous reparations, and disarmament
- Germany's forced treaty acceptance due to Russia's similar actions
- Treaty was weak due to lack of enforcement mechanism and US non-participation in the League of Nations
Treaty of Versailles Impact on Germany
- Germans rejected the blame for starting the war, calling it the "Diktat"
- Germany's economy severely impacted by reparations payments and hyperinflation
Economic Disaster
- Reparations payments placed immense strain on Germany's economy
Allied Anxiety After WWI
- Fears of another Communist revolution in Germany
- Germany viewed as a potential ally against Russia, if weakened
Determining German Reparations
- The "big three" were unable to agree on a specific amount
- The US pushed for less reparations than the other nations
- Germany's economic capacity meant its ability to pay reparations limited
- Germany's war debt caused an immense financial crisis which contributed to the reparations issue
Treatment of Central Powers
- Germany was treated differently than other defeated nations, receiving the most troops, whereas other powers received much less
Conflicts in Central and Eastern Europe
- Border disputes were common due to numerous ethnic groups in the region
- Resulted in conflicts and disagreements over lands
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Description
Explore the key players and their agendas at the Paris Peace Conference, which shaped the post-World War I world. Learn about Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George, and Georges Clemenceau's visions for peace, reparations, and future security. Examine the dynamics between the Great Powers and the exclusion of Germany and Russia.
