History - World Wars: Versailles and Peacemaking. World War One - Treaty of Versailles. World War One ended at 11am on 11th November 1918. In 1919, Lloyd George of England, Orlando of Italy, Clemenceau of France and Woodrow Wilson from the US met to discuss how Germany was to be made to pay for the damage world war one had caused. Wilson had devised a 14 point plan that he believed would bring stability to Europe. Open Diplomacy - There should be no secret treaties between powers Freedom of Navigation - Seas should be free in both peace and war Free Trade - The barriers to trade between countries such as custom duties should be removed Multilateral Disarmament - All countries should reduce their armed forces to the lowest possible levels Colonies - People in European colonies should have a say in their future Russia - Russia should be allowed to operate whatever government it wanted and that government should be accepted, supported and welcomed.
Belgium - Belgium should be evacuated and restored to the situation before the war. Terms of the Treaty of Versailles Activities. Why was the treaty of Versailles so significant? - Rise of Hitler and the Nazi party - Year 9. Why was the Treaty of Versailles so significant? The Treaty of Versailles was put together at the Paris Peace Conference starting in January 1919. The main signatories of the treaty were Britain (Prime Minister David Lloyd George), the USA (President Woodrow Wilson), France (Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau) and Italy (Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando).
These leaders were known as the 'Big Four' and met to decide the fate of Germany after the First World War. So why is this treaty so significant? Firstly consider the attitude of each country that attended the negotiations: Germany wasn't even invited to the peace treaty. Clearly agreement was going to be very difficult, as each country felt they knew best. It is important to actually consider what the terms of the treaty said: A summary of the terms of the treaty includes: Germany had to take full responsibility for the war.
You can read an overview of the full terms of the treaty here [from Spartacus]. Think: 1. Think: 1. Primary Documents - Treaty of Versailles, 28 June 1919. This section of the website details the full contents of the Peace Treaty of Versailles, signed on 28 June 1919 by Germany and the Allied powers at the Palace of Versailles. A sizeable document, the treaty featured some 440 Articles, with the addition of numerous Annexes. Begun in early 1919 and completed in April after several months of hard bargaining, it was presented to Germany for consideration on 7 May 1919. The German government was given three weeks to accept the terms of the treaty (which it had not seen prior to delivery). Its initial response was a lengthy list of complaints, most of which were simply ignored. The treaty was perceived by many as too great a departure from U.S. President Wilson's Fourteen Points; and by the British as too harsh in its treatment of Germany.
Controversial even today, it is often argued that the punitive terms of the treaty supported the rise of the Nazis and the Third Reich in 1930s Germany, which in turn led to the outbreak of World War II. The Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles was the peace settlement signed after World War One had ended in 1918 and in the shadow of the Russian Revolution and other events in Russia. The treaty was signed at the vast Versailles Palace near Paris - hence its title - between Germany and the Allies. The three most important politicians there were David Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau and Woodrow Wilson. The Versailles Palace was considered the most appropriate venue simply because of its size - many hundreds of people were involved in the process and the final signing ceremony in the Hall of Mirrors could accommodate hundreds of dignitaries.
Many wanted Germany, now led by Friedrich Ebert, smashed; others, like Lloyd George, were privately more cautious. World War One had left Europe devastated. Those who had fought against the Allies suffered heavy casualties as well: The total deaths of all nations who fought in the war is thought to have been 8.5 million with 21 million being wounded. Territorial 1. 3. Versailles Treaty.