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  • The Treaty of Versailles, 1919

  • World War I officially came to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919.

  • 32 countries had come together in Paris in January 1919 to hold a conference which would make peace after the First World War.

  • It would be dominated by the big three:

  • David Lloyd George representing Britain;

  • Georges Clemenceau representing France;

  • and Woodrow Wilson representing the USA.

  • Germany was not invited.

  • The Big Three wanted different things for Germany and disagreed on how harshly they were to be punished

  • reflecting how their countries were treated in the war.

  • They had to negotiate with each other until there was a compromise.

  • This was difficult because Wilson was opposed to harsh punishment for Germany.

  • The USA had not been involved in the war as long as Britain and France and had not received as much damage.

  • He wanted to prevent another world war by creating the league of nations based on his fourteen points to ensure

  • Germany would not be destroyed and that Germany shouldn't be blamed for the war.

  • Clemenceau aims were the harshest of the three -- representing the damage Germany had done to France's land and people

  • and its threatening proximity.

  • He wanted revenge and to punish Germany to return Alsace Lorraine to France,

  • an independent Rhineland,

  • no league of nations,

  • Germany to pay huge reparations for the damage and losses caused,

  • the disbandment of the German Army so that Germany would never be strong enough to attack France again.

  • Lloyd George was an in-between. This reflected Britain which had little land damage, but high war losses.

  • He wanted a punishment that would be tough enough to please those who wanted to make Germany pay,

  • but would leave Germany strong enough to still trade,

  • land for Britain's Empire

  • to safeguard Britain's naval supremacy.

  • When the Treaty of Versailles was ready, Germany was shown the document, but there was no negotiation,

  • their rebuttal ignored.

  • On 28th June 1919 the Delegates met at the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles near Paris

  • and forced two German representatives to sign it.

  • See part 2 to learn what the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were

  • and the devastating effects it would have for the future of Germany.

  • Watch our other videos to learn more.

  • Get your copy of Simple History -- World War I available on Amazon now.

The Treaty of Versailles, 1919

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