The Signing of The Treaty of Versailles
On January 18, 1919, the Paris Peace Conference drafted the Treaty of Versailles. This date was significant because it marked the anniversary of Wilhelm I’s coronation as Emperor of Germany in the halls of Versailles at the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. The war also resulted in the loss of Alsace and Lorraine to Germany.
The peace talks were led by Woodrow Wilson of the United States, Lloyd George of Britain, Georges Clemenceau of France, and Vittorio Orlando of Italy. They were known as the “Big Four” and Italy’s role was limited throughout. Germany and the Central Powers’ vanquished parties were not represented. Neither was Russia, which had signed a secret peace pact with Germany while being a member of the Allied forces.
The ‘Big Four’ were not on the same page about the peace pact. Each had itsto own goals that were in contradiction with those of the other. The French intended to prevent future invasions from Germany, therefore they aimed to economically cripple it by paying large reparations. The British wished to reconstruct Germany in order to become a powerful commercial partner. The Italians intended to enhance their power and influence in postwar Europe so that they could be on an equal footing with other European powers. The Americans opposed any territorial changes and wanted to establish a world order consistent with the Fourteen Points. Other European leaders thought the Fourteen Points were too unrealistic to transfer into policy.
Germany’s army and navy would be limited in size, and it was not permitted to keep an air force. It called for Kaiser Wilhelm II, the ruler of Germany, to stand trial for war crimes. Above all, it included a “war guilt clause” that held Germany entirely responsible for launching the war and forced it to pay reparations for Allied war losses.
Treaty of Versailles (28th June 1919)
The peace treaty at Versailles with the Allies was a harsh and humiliating peace. It was one of the peace treaties that ended World War I. It was endorsed on June 28, 1919, in the Lobby of Mirrors at the Castle of Versailles in France. The arrangement was haggled among the Associated Powers (principally the US, Joined Realm, France, and Italy) and Germany.
The settlement provisions were profoundly corrective towards Germany, mirroring the longing of the successful Partners to guarantee that Germany would be considered responsible for the conflict. Let us discuss in details!
Table of Content
- The Peace Treaty
- History of Treaty Of Versailles
- Important Dates
- The Signing of The Treaty of Versailles
- Key Provisions of The Treaty of Versailles
- Impact of The Treaty of Versailles