The Paris Peace Conference and Versailles Treaty

1557 Words4 Pages

Success or Failure

At the end of World War I (WWI), as with most wars, it was necessary to hold a peace conference and due to the number of countries involved in the war, this task was extremely imposing. The desired conclusion of this conference was world peace, but with approximately 75% of the world nations represented and each country having it’s own agenda, the search for peace was elusive because of a desire for vengeance. This vengeance may have set the stage for World War II.

On January 12th, 1919, the Paris Peace Conference (PPC) opened at several different venues, in and around Paris, France, but was moved to the Versailles Palace because of the number of attendees. As many as 32 World Leaders were represented at the PPC, but the negotiations were basically between the Triple Entente, (Britain, France and Italy), Japan and the United States.

Each country and leader came with individual expectations, and with so many voices desiring to be heard, protocol had to be found. This was accomplished by allowing the main negotiators to be Georges Clemenceau (France), David Lloyd George (Britain), Vittorio Orlando (Italy), and Woodrow Wilson (United States). The actually number of treaties agreed upon at the PPC were five, the Treaties of Versailles with Germany, St. Germain with Austria, Trainon with Hungary, Neuilly with Bulgaria and Serves with Turkey . Though the most renown treaty is the Versailles Treaty, because it dealt with Germany, who was generally seen as the driving force behind WWI.

To understand the prospectives, emotions and desire for revenge against the Triple Alliance, and Germany in general, you have to know that a vast majority of Europe had been destroyed, decimated and that the number of ca...

... middle of paper ...

... creating an open door for Hitler and his Nationalism ideals to culminate in the next world catastrophe, WWII. The desire for vengeance and continued control over Germany, hindered the PPC from foreseeing the flaws in the Treaty and setting the stage for WWII.

Works Cited

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWversailles.htm

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/

Course website. (April 19, 2011).

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/treaty_of_versailles.htm

Trueman, Chris., BA (Hons), MA.

Professional website. (April 19, 2011).

Annals of America. Vol 14, 1916 - 1928. World War and Prosperity;

Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. 1976 by Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 76-547. (April 12, 2011).

http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/versailles.htm

http://www.firstworldwar.com/index.htm

Duffy, Michael. (April 19, 2011).

Show More
Related

  • Did the Treaty of Versailles Promote Hitler to Power

    852 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...reaty, caused one of the most important parts of the war. Furthermore, the conditions that allowed for a fascist ruler to take control in Germany would have been in place if the treaty had not been signed, or had been less harsh on Germany. It is important to understand the causes of WWII because the war was a dominating part of the late 1930’s and 1940’s, and because the war laid the groundwork for the cold war. It also was a key part of leading America out of the Great Depression, which could have lasted years longer if the industrial production of the war had not taken place. The Treaty of Versailles did not make WWII inevitable, even though it may be tempting to claim so.

    Read More

  • Why the United States got Involved in World War II

    1806 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Geneva Peace Conference failed because, first- it was stalled over German demands for equal strength and French insistence on reliable protection against the possibility of German aggression. European skepticism about American intentions was confirmed when the Senate Foreign Relations committee responded with a resolution banning shipments to all belligerents, after the American representative at the conference said that if international agreement effected a substantial reduction in arms, the US was prepared to consult with the other states in case of a threat to peace. The failure of this conference was a substantial event in the chain of events that led up to W.W.II, because if this conference had been successful Germany may not have been as volatile, and may not have had the means and arms to initiate the war. Hitler's annexation of Austria took place in the March of 1936. This event was crucial in the build up to war, because it was the first step in the buildup of a German empire. It was the first step militant step towards the Second World War. The next militant step towards world war was when he used the plight of the German minority in the Sudetenland as a pretext for demands on the government of Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovakia was now a part of the growing German territory. The more territory Germany acquired the more of a threat it was t...

    Read More

  • The Brilliant and Evil Hitler

    1033 Words  | 3 Pages

    The effects of the treaty were devastating, causing severe unemployment (nearly 6 million in Germany) and devaluation of the German mark. Millions lost their life savings and became destitute.... ... middle of paper ... ...

    Read More

  • President Wilson and the Treaty of Versailles

    1492 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although his intentions were in the best interests of the world’s nations, Wilson’s method of getting the Versailles Treaty ratified ultimately led to its failure of passage by his own country. Not consulting the Senate during treaty negotiations was a terrible first step, but the president’s subsequent hard-line stance and unwillingness to concede anything left no chance for the doctrine to be passed. President Wilson is solely to blame for the Versailles Treaty’s failure. How prophetic he was in September of 1919, when in a pro-treaty speech he said, “I am obliged to come to you in mortification and shame and say I have not been able to fulfill the promise. You are betrayed. You have fought for something that you did not get.”

    Read More

  • Effects Of Treaty Of Versailles

    1279 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Given these results, the Versailles treaty must be judged one of history’s greatest catastrophes”. The treaty of Versailles was one of the worst treaties or even agreement that the United States and their allies ever agreed to. The treaty of Versailles was the end result of WW1 between the Allies (England, France, Russia, United States) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire). WW1 was the first time in history that multiple nations all over the world fought against each other through alliances and because that caused major blood shed on a scale that was never seen before and is therefore called “The War to End All Wars”. The Allies eventually won the war on 11 November 1918 that was than preceded by the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June

    Read More

  • Analysis of The Origins of Second World War by A.J.P. Taylor

    960 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Origins of the Second World War, by A.J.P. Taylor, proposes and investigates unconventional and widely unaccepted theories as to the underlying causes of World War Two. Taylor is British historian who specialized in 20th century diplomacy, and in his book claims that as a historian his job is to “state the truth” (pg. xi) as he sees it, even if it means disagreeing with existing prejudices. The book was published in 1961, a relatively short time after the war, and as a result of his extreme unbias the work became subject to controversy for many years.

    Read More

  • How Did The Versailles Treaty Help The World War II?

    1394 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Treaty of Versailles, initially created to keep peace in Europe and ensure that another war like World War I wouldn’t happen again, had in fact, backfired and spiraled the world down into a deeper, bloodier battle. The treaty discriminated strongly against Germany, with the loss of territories, military restrictions, economic reparations, and the War Guilt Clause. It caused humiliation and anger within Germany, and led to Hitler and the Nazi Party coming to power. World War II was not only started by Adolf Hitler and Germany, but had a lot to do with the humiliation that Germany felt when the terms for the Treaty of Versailles were laid down. The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles may be indirectly related to the cause of World War II, but nonetheless was a huge factor in starting the war.

    Read More

  • Why Did A.J.P Taylor’s Analysis of the Origins of the Second World War Cause Such Controversy Among Historians?

    774 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Second World War was caused by Germany’s desire to revoke the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 and Hitler’s relentless quest for empire. This was considered a valid response to why the war began in 1939, until 1961 when A. J. P Taylor...

    Read More

  • History

    1330 Words  | 3 Pages

    The circumstances were such that the allied powers had to keep the community happy and punish Germany while at the same time they had to make sure Germany wouldn't retaliate. Harold Nicholson feared the worst and stated "The historian, with every justification, will come to the conclusion that we were very stupid men... We arrived determined that a Peace of justice and wisdom should be negotiated; we left the conference conscious that the treaties imposed upon our enemies were neither just nor wise." Other criticism includes "The Peace of Versailles was an unsatisfactory compromise with little chance of ensuring an enduring peace. Each of the 'Big Three' had different aims which had to be modified in order to reach an overall agreement and the Germans were not even allowed to take part in the negotiations. Germany was humiliat...

    Read More

  • Wilson's 14 Points vs. the Treaty of Versailles

    1243 Words  | 3 Pages

    When the peace processes were to start after the finishing of World War One, there were four people who were major components in the treaty of Paris: Clemenceau, George, Orlando, and Wilson. Clemenceau wanted revenge on the German's by punishing them through the treaties because he believed that they were at fault for the war; George was in agreement with Clemenceau although he did not feel that Germany should suffer severe punishment; Orlando who wanted the irredenta to be re-established; and President Wilson of the United States of America wanted to create a mild peace with Germany in a fair way. In view of this, Wilson created fourteen points that he wanted accomplished in full as a result of the peace treaties. His fourteen points were his plan for a world peace and included plans for the end of secret treaties, freedom of the seas, free trade, arms reduction, the just settlement of colonial claims, the establishment of a League of Nations, and the evacuation of occupied territories and national self-determination. Many of his points were carried out in the Treaty of Versailles, although not all of them were successful or followed completely.

    Read More

  • The Cause of the Great War: World War I

    2053 Words  | 5 Pages

    World War I was a conflict that claimed over 10 million peoples’ lives, ravaged all of Europe and engineered modern warfare, as it is know today. The Great War has been scrutinized and examined through many complex theories in order to understand how such a conflict escalated to one of the most epic wars in history. This essay, like many works before it, looks to examine WWI and determine its causes through two distinct levels of analysis, individual and systemic. The individual level of analysis locates the cause of conflicts in individual leaders or decision makers within a particular country, focusing on the characteristics of human decision-making. The systemic level of analysis explains the causation of a conflict from a system wide level that includes all states, taking in to account the distribution of power and the interaction of states in the international system.

    Read More

  • World War 1 Balance Of Power Essay

    862 Words  | 2 Pages

    World War I was one of the greatest wars known to history because of the immense impact felt throughout the world. The balance of powers and World War I can be seen as one of the most known pairings of a historical event and of political ideas. A balance of ideas can arguably be tied to this and the role it played among countries and their foreign policies involving a cause of war and a condition of peace. While it’s impossible to detail every aspect of the balance of powers and the balances of ideas in this paper to help in understanding World War I, the focus of a few pivotal factors can give an understanding of the occasion for war. Ultimately, the origins, the course, and the outcome of the war can be conveyed through the balance of power

    Read More

  • How Japan Committed Crimes Against Humanity in Pursuit of Self-Interest

    1224 Words  | 3 Pages

    Willmott, Hedley P., and Michael Barrett. "World War II (Causes)." World at War: Understanding Conflict and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 18 May 2014.

    Read More

  • Paris Peace Conference

    739 Words  | 2 Pages

    It has been almost a century since the first Paris Peace Conference was hold, but even until now, it is a popular yet also controversial event in the history of the world. The Paris Peace Conference took place in 1919 involving more than 1,000 representatives from over 30 nations. The results of the Conference are five treaties regarding terms that, according to the Conference, shall prevent any upcoming conflicts among nations. Although World War II started only after 15 years, nonetheless, the treaties did function as a buffer between countries. Although many resolutions were discussed, the negotiation of the Conference revolves around four main topics, reparation from the previous war losses or limitations on the main Central Power, Germany, self-recognition, President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points, and the annexation of land.

    Read More

  • The Horrors of War in the Modern Era

    1463 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...portant in that it led to peace. He states, “We wish her [Germany] to accept a place of equality among the peoples of the new world – the new world in which we now live – instead of a place of mastery” (The Fourteen Points in Sources, 358). I agree because there was certainly no way to prevent war when the main focus was to stop Nazi Germany from attacking. Dealing with this Second World War, it was crucial to fight against Hitler; thereby, maintaining peace with other nations.

    Read More

More about The Paris Peace Conference and Versailles Treaty

Open Document