Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?

Aims of the Big Three: Wilson´s viewpoint

High hopes for peace
Peacemakers in 1919 had a complicate job, but hopes for peace were high
because of the American President, Wilson.
In 1918 Wilson made a Fourteen Points for a peace treaty to end conflict.
The Paris Peace Conference, 1919-20
 The conference took place in the Palace of Versailles (Paris)
 It lasted for twelve months.
 No one of the nations of the defeated countries was invited.
 5 treaties were created at the Conference. The treaty of Versailles
that dealt with Germany and the others dealt with Germany´s
allies.
 All the important decisions were taken by, Clemenceau (France),
Lloyd George (Britain) and Wilson (USA), they were known as the
“The Big Three”
He arrived to Europe for the Paris Peace Conference, and was greatly
welcome.

Wilson´s ideas
He was an idealist
How could peacemakers could build a more peaceful world?
 Don´t be too harsh on Germany
Wilson believed that Germany should the punished but not in an
extremist way, because one day Germans could recover and want
revenge. Also worried that extremist groups, especially communists, could
exploit resentment and raised up power in Germany.
 Strengthen democracy in defeated countries
For Wilson democracy was the key to solve peace in Europe. If the leaders
had listen to people´s views and win their votes, people would not lead
leaders to cause war.
 Give self-determination to small countries that had once been part
of the European empires

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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
Wanted that counties of the eastern Europe ruled then selves instead of
being part of the Austria-Hungary empire.
 International co-operation
Nations might co-operate in order to achieve world peace and this would
be done by “The league of Nations”

Did everyone share Wilson´s viewpoint?

Other leaders agreed with what Wilson proposed.
Some people were questionable about self-determination: it would be
difficult to give peoples of eastern Europe the opportunity to rule
themselves because they were dispersed in many countries.

The big three: (Allies)

USA: President Wilson
Britain: Prime minister of Britain Lloyd George
France: Prime minister of France Clemenceau

Did Lloyd George agree with Wilson?

George, in public, agreed with Wilson´s ideas. In private he was less
positive. He said that Wilson came to rescue the Europe with little
sermons and preparation.
Like Wilson:
 Germany should be punished but not too harshly, because he was
worried that Germany could take revenge.
 Concerned that a harsh treaty might lead to a communist
revolution.
 Wanted Germany and Britain to trade with each other.
Unlike Wilson:
 George had the needs of the British empire
 Britain wanted Germany to lose its navy and colonies
Before war Germany was Britain´s second largest trading partner, trade
with Germany meant jobs in Britain.

Pressure on Lloyd George

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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
Public in Britain wanted a harsh treaty. They weren’t sympathetic to
Germany because they suffered fighting, food shortages and hardships.
They promoted anti-German propaganda and also saw Germany took
over Russian´s population and agricultural land.
Lloyd George won the elections in Britain promising to “make Germany
pay”.

Did Clemenceau agree with Wilson?

In public, Clemenceau agreed with Wilson´s ideas but found it too hard to
work with him. They got disagreement over Germany.
Clemenceau saw the treaty as an opportunity to destroy Germany so it
could not attack France.

Pressures on Clemenceau
France suffered damage to its land, industry and people, men in the
French army had been killed and it affected a whole generation. On the
other hand, German land and industry weren’t badly damaged as France’s.
France population was in decreased compared to Germany.
French people wanted to punish and weaken Germany. The French
President wanted to break up Germany but Clemenceau knew Britain and
the USA weren’t going to support this, but he need to show he aware with
the public opinion.

How did the peacemaking process actually work?

It became impossible to consult and agree terms with everyone.
Clemenceau clashed with Wilson over many issues.
USA had not suffered as France in war. Clemenceau resented Wilsons
generous to Germany.
 They disagreed over what to do about Germany´s Rhineland and
Saar.
Clemenceau and Lloyd George give Wilson what he wanted in eastern
Europe but this affected the other four treaties.
Clemenceau clashed with Lloyd George.

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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
 Lloyd George didn´t wanted to treat Germany to harshly and
Clemenceau disagreed.
Clemenceau felt the British were happy to treat Germany fairly, where
France would be under treat. However, Britain were unhappy to allow
Germany to keep its navy and colonies, as this would be a treat to Britain.
Wilson and Lloyd George did not always agree either.
 Lloyd George didn´t agree to let Germany have national access to
the seas.

The terms of the Treaty of Versailles

The Big Three were unhappy with the terms of the Treaty. The main aims
divided into five areas.

1 War guilt
This was simple, but Germans felt it was too harsh. Germany had to
accept the blame for starting the war.

2 Reparations
Major powers, without consulting Germany, agreed that
Germany had to pay reparations to the Allies for the
damage of war. The exact amount wasn´t agreed until 1921
£6,600 million but in 1929 the amount was changed in the
Young Plan.

3 German territories and colonies

German’s European borders were extensive, and the German
territory in Europe was complicated for the League. The treaty didn´t
allowed Anschluss (political union between Germany and Austria). The
treaty took over part of the German territory, as regards colonies and
lands that had been taken over from other countries.
Germany´s overseas empire was taken. German colonies became
controlled by the League which means Britain and France controlled them.

4 Germany´s armed forces

The size and power of the German army was worried for France. The
Treaty restricted German forces to a level below that before war.
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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
 Army limited to 100,000 men.
 Conscription was banned, now the soldiers had to be volunteers (its
wasn’t obligatory to be part of the army)
 Didn´t allowed Germany to have armed vehicles, submarines or
aircraft.
 The navy could only have six battleships.
 The Rhineland was a demilitarized zone. No German forces in this
area were allowed. (Rhineland: border between France and
Germany)

5 League of Nations
 In the past methods for keeping peace failed, so the League set up
itself as an international organization to solve international
problems and maintained peace.
 Germany wasn´t invited to participate until it shows it was a
peaceful nation.

German reactions to the Treaty of Versailles

The government that made Germany to war was defeated in a revolution
and the new democratic government was hopping a fair treatment from
the Allies. When the terms where announced Germans were horrified.
The new government refused to sign the treaty and German navy stank
in response. It seems like if war could start again.
Ebert agreed to sing the Treaty of Versailles.

German criticisms of the Treaty of Versailles

War guilt and reparations
Germany had to blame for starting the war and pay reparations.
War guilt: particularly hated.
Blame: They feel that they didn´t started the war and the blame for
starting the war had to be shared.
Reparations: Germany was expected to pay reparations for all the
damage of war, although its economy was weakened.
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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
German territories
Germany lost lot of territory.
 10 per cent of land in Europe
 All of its colonies
 Population
 Iron and steel industry
The major impact to Germany was on it economy. Saara and Upper Silesa
important industries areas taken away from Germany.

Non-representation
Germans were angry that their governments didn´t participate in the
peace talks, that they had to accept a harsh treaty without complain and
they also felt that they hadn´t lose war so that shouldn´t be treated as a
defeated country.

The Fourteen Points and the League of Nations

 To Germans the treatment they receive didn´t agree with Wilson´s
Fourteen Points
 Germany felt insulted for not being invited to join the League.

Disarmament
German army was reduced to 100,000 men and they couldn´t have air
forces and only a tiny navy.
 Felt terms were unfair.
 100,000 men in an army for the Germany´s size was too little.
 Army: symbol of German pride.
 No of the Allies disarmed the way Germans did.

Consequences of the Treaty for Germany

The Treaty had a very important impact on Germany and was universally
hated.

1) Political violence
Right wing: opponents of Ebert, conservatives

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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
Ebert: Left socialists
Rebellion: violent movement
Revolution: movement, not necessary to be violent, that creates a change.
The right wing couldn´t support the treaty and raised a rebellion in 1920,
known as “Kapp Putsch”
Kapp Putsch: rebellion from the right wing in 1920 against Ebert
The rebellion was defeated by a GENERAL STRICK by German workers.
General Strick: workers paralyzed essential services, power and
transport.
The end of rebellion saved Ebert but also brought chaos in Germany.
Political violence was a constant threat. There were lot of assassinations.
1922: A German foreign minister was murdered.
1923: Hitler led a rebellion known as the Munich Putsch.
His rebellion was defeated but it was clear that many Germans shear his
hate to the treaty, that in the future, he would use in order to gain
support.

2) Conflict in the Ruhr

Germany agreed to pay reparations. The first part was paid in 1921 but in
1922 nothing was paid. Ebert tried to negotiate for time to pay but
French run out of patient.
1923: French and Belgian entered the Ruhr and took what was owned to
them, raw materials and goods. (This was quite legal under the treaty)
The occupation of the Ruhr was disastrous for Germany.
Government ordered the workers to stop producing (strike) so French
couldn´t take anything. Because of this, French kill and expel workers and
protesters.
The strike left Germany without goods to trade, which meant no money
to buy things. This lead in a Hyperinflation.
Germans believed:

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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
 The treaty leads to the crisis
 Reparations were to high

Hyperinflation
Government solved the problem of not having money by printing extra
money. This caused hyperinflation
 Money was worthless, so prices, of goods, increase
 Wages were paid daily instead of weekly

Some gain from hyperinflation.

Government and industries pay debts (deudas) in worthless markets.
Some loss form hyperinflation.
Pensioners were left without money.
Germany at the end recovered but it left bad memories in the people.
People got bad memories with the treaty of Versailles.
1929: Great depression

Summary
The treaty causes serious problems in Germany but people blamed it for
other problems.

How was the Treaty seen at the time?

Some said the Treaty was unfair!
The big three weren´t happy with the treaty and some diplomats were
unsatisfied.
Some believed the treaty was
 Unfair
 Unjust
 That peacemakers were so blind and selfish they create a
disastrous treaty that would end in another war
Others said the Treaty was fair!

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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
Germans complains about the treaty end on nothing. In Britain and
France, the public celebrate it.
People felt Germans were shamelessness
Germans argued a fair treatment but ignored (didn´t realized) the fact
that they treated even harshly Russians in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
The Treaty of Versailles was less harsh than the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
Germany´s problems were self-inflected. To pay reparations, other states
raised takes to pay but the Kaiser´s government didn´t.

How has the Treaty been seen with hindsight?

Hindsight: look back at a historical event and judge it knowing its
consequences.
Treaty help to:
 Create Nazi regime
 Cause SWW
A historian said that the Treaty was a cause of the Nazi regime in
Germany, others disagreed about this, but agree that Hitler exploit the
discontent about the treaty to gain support.
Some Historians said that people outside Germany thought that the treaty
was fair and a less hard treaty would had been unacceptable for public in
Britain and France.
Peacemakers had difficulties to balance the public opinion and with
visions for a better future.

The other peace settlements

Treaty of Versailles deal with Germany but, as Germany had allies in
FWW. Four treaties were made for them.
 Austria-Hungary (empire collapsed in 1918)
 Bulgaria
 Turkey
These countries also disarmed and pay reparation. These treaties were
negotiated by diplomats and officers, not by the Big three and had
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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
representatives of eastern and central Europe (expect for the countries
defeated)
These treaties had important impacts and help to solve serious problems.
 Set out how Europe and Middle east would look like.
 Had impact on the world today.

Austria: The Treaty of St Germain, 1919

Austria’s
 Austria was Territories
divided from Hungary  Army From Austria to
was restricted
Bohemia, Moravia New state of Czechoslovakia
 Forbidden union withCroatia
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany  Suffered
New state of economic
Yugoslaviaproblems
Galicia
 It wasn´t more a leading power Poland
 Their territories were divided and form
Land Italyin new states
 It’s industry gone to Czechoslovakia
 Its markets were in different countries

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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
Austria empire collapsed by 1918 and new states were already form.
Italy felt it should receive more land.
Eastern Europe were given self determination to rule themselves.

Bulgaria: The Treaty of Neuilly, 1919

 Lost land to Greece, Romania and
Yugoslavia
 Lost access to the Mediterranean
 Limits its army
 Pay reparations
Bulgaria played a small role at
FWW so it was treated less
harshly.
It was governed by foreign
(extranjeros) countries by 1920

Hungary: The Treaty of Trianon, 1920

 Transfer of territories
 Lost territories and population (Hungarians ended in other states)
 Industries suffered from loos of people and raw materials
 Pay reparation (its economy was so weak it never did)

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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?

Turkey: The Treaty of Sevres, 1920

Signed in August 1920. Turkey was harshly treated and Turks were angry
and humiliated.
Turkey Lost’s (consequences)

 Lot of territory  Parts of Turkey were under Britain, French and

Italian influence.
 Its army was limit
 Armenia and Kurdistan become independent
 Navies army was restricted
states.
 Couldn´t have air forces
 Turkey´s tax, monetary limit (presupuesto) and
 It´s empire was broken up finances were controlled by the Allies.


What were the Allies trying to achieve?

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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
Background
Allies in FWW
Triple entente (winner)
 Russia At the beginning of FWW Italy was allied
 France + Italy with the Triple Alliance. When war started
to develop Italy declared neutral and
 United Kingdom
come out of war. Then, after secret
Triple Alliance (losers) negotiations with the Allies, Italy entered
FWW, but this time it was allied with the
 Germany
triple entente and declared war on
 Austria-Hungary Austria Hungary.
 Italy
 Bulgaria
 Turkey

Big three agreed Turkey’s great power had end.

Turks wanted independence.
In public Allies said:
 Treaty should establish new states
 Turkey should be punished for supporting Germany in FWW
In private Allies agreed:
 Italy wanted more Turkey´s territory for supporting the Allies in FWW.
 France and Britain wanted to extend their empires and commercial
interests
 Britain wanted Iraq oilfields
Tripartite Agreement 1920: Britain, France and Italy´s commercial
interests were protected.

Did the Treaty bring peace and stability?

NO.

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 Were the peace treaties of 1919-23 fair?
Turkish government accept the treaty, although Turks weren´t in favour.
Turkish nationalists refused.
Turkish nationalists:
 Weren´t able to restore turkey´s empire territories
 Stopped the government of signing the treaty
 Tried to set new terms by force
 Drove Greece out of Smyrna
 Forced Frenches to withdrawing their troops for Turkey
Wilson’s policies in Armenia
Armenia couldn´t become independent. Armenia opted to become part
of the Soviet Union rather than from Turkey.

Treaty of Lausanne, 1923

New terms for Turkey were recognized in the treaty of Lausanne.

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