Notes

Brief on World War 1 Before World War 1 some countries were already fighting among themselves. Naturally, the bigger and stronger countries will ‘bully’ the vulnerable ones(e.g. Germany and France). The fights escalated into a war when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was murdered in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914.World War 1 started on 4 august 1914 and ended on 11 November 1918(4 years). Different countries joined forces to fight against the rest(e.g. Russia and Germany). Russia and Germany During World War 1, Russia was having a Civil War where its people demanded to get out of the war. Since, Russia was Germany’s friend; she had to pay a price for leaving. Russia had to give away a portion of their land which was rich in resources to Germany. Thus, the treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed. End of War British noticed that the war was causing massive deaths, damages(financially and physically) and also diseases which has caused twice as many death as the war itself. Thus, the British suggested a truce, to end the war. Everyone eventually agreed to cease fire including Germany who was winning. Therefore, a conference was held to discuss all outstanding issues and a treaty known as the ‘Versailles Treaty’ was signed. The ‘Versailles Treaty’ The ‘Versailles Treaty’ was signed on the 28 June 1919 at the halls of mirrors in the town of Versailles, France. It is held to discuss all outstanding issues that occurred during the war. Most who attended the Paris Peace Conference were all the winning countries except for Germany whom was not invited although they had won. The main people who came out with the clause of the treaty were the Big 3. They are Prime minister of Britain; Lloyd George, Prime minister of France; Clemenceau and President of USA; Woodrow Wilson. Although Prime Minister of Italy; Vittorio Orlando was one of the main person, he was deemed insignificant as he had done nothing much than to keep agreeing with the other three. Revenge on Germany (Invitation) Germany wasn’t invited to the Paris Peace Conference was mainly due to revenge which France and Britain had on her. Although it’s said that the treaty aim was to restore and make peace, it also doesn’t want Germany to rise to power again. They wanted to ensure Germany was weak financially, physically and militarily, as not to let another war occurred again. This was due to the fact that given much power Germany had during World War 1;they didn’t want the same thing to occur again. *Revenge on Germany (History with France*) Germany had been attacking France even before World War 1. In one of the battles between them, before World War 1- Germany had won. Germany then forced France to sign a treaty of defeat which terms humiliated France. That treaty was signed in the halls of mirrors; the exact placed where the ‘Versailles Treaty’ was signed. Thus, France wanted Germany to be as humiliated as them. Britain being friends with France supported the idea. Revenge on Germany (‘Versailles Treaty’ clause) The ‘Versailles Treaty’ clause which was placed upon Germany is known as a ‘diktat’(peace of dictation) by the Germans. The Government had expected they would get fair treatment, based on Wilson's fourteen points. This is because Germany cannot change or negotiate the terms and had to follow it word for word. It is seem unfair to them as they were not invited to the Paris Peace Conference although they were wining. Their clause was divided to three main areas: Physically Germany had to take full responsibility for the war for causing all lost and damages.(War Guilt clause - 231) Germany to loose territory on all sides, & split in two by new nation of Poland. Germany to lose all her colonies. Financially Germany had to pay for all the war damage (reparations) - later set at £6.65billion. Militarily Germany’s army was reduced to 100,000 men. Germany could have no air force or submarines, and was limited to six large ships. The final treaty was unpopular. Many in Britain and France were angry that Germany hadn't been treated more harshly. Germany on the other hand felt that the treaty had hit them hard. The German Kaiser (King) was overthrown and was replaced by a Prime minister as the German lost all faith in him. Count Ulrich von Brockendorff-Rantzau who was the newly appointed foreign minister resigned rather than signing the treaty. It was later replaced by the Weimar Government known as the ‘November Criminals’ who later signed the treaty. The Big 3 It comprise of Prime minister of Britain; Lloyd George, Prime minister of France; Clemenceau and President of USA; Woodrow Wilson. Clearly agreement was going to be very difficult, as each country felt they knew best. The final treaty was published in June 1919. Rise of Authoritarian Regimes (Political)