Paris Peace Conference, 1919
During the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, the victorious Allied Nations gathered to settle the terms of peace for the Central Powers. Leaders of the victorious nations discussed and drafted the 5 treaties that would officially end WWI.
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Treaty of Versailles:
During the Paris Peace Conference, the Allied leaders focused on punishing Germany and reducing its power to prevent Germany from being able to wage war again. They focused on decreasing Germany's territory, giving away it's colonies, reducing its military, and forcing huge reparation payments that required Germany to give up valuable resources such as coal and steel. The most humiliating and hard to accept term was the War Guilt Clause, which forced Germany to accept full blame for the war. On top of that, Germany was prohibited from joining the League of Nations.
At first, Germany believed the discussions at the Paris Peace Conference would be centered around Wilson’s Fourteen Points peace plan that emphasized not punishing the Central Powers. They soon realized that was not going to happen.
The German delegates were not allowed to participate in the drafting of the treaty. They were told to sign the treaty and accept the terms unconditionally. The German people were outraged and held protests against the signing of the treaty. Eventually Germany realized that they had no other choice but to accept the terms of the treaty. It was signed on June 28, 1919 in the Hall of Mirrors, at the Palace of Versailles.
At first, Germany believed the discussions at the Paris Peace Conference would be centered around Wilson’s Fourteen Points peace plan that emphasized not punishing the Central Powers. They soon realized that was not going to happen.
The German delegates were not allowed to participate in the drafting of the treaty. They were told to sign the treaty and accept the terms unconditionally. The German people were outraged and held protests against the signing of the treaty. Eventually Germany realized that they had no other choice but to accept the terms of the treaty. It was signed on June 28, 1919 in the Hall of Mirrors, at the Palace of Versailles.
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Territory Losses:
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Financial Reparations:
Reduced Military:
War Guilt Clause & the Anschluss:
How did hitler break the treaty of versailles?
Sources:
1. http://www.johndclare.net/EA2.htm
1. http://www.johndclare.net/EA2.htm