The Treaty of Versailles

Introduction:

Although at the postwar peace talks President Woodrow Wilson wished

above all to prevent future wars, the Treaty of Versailles, which formally
ended World War I, is widely considered to have contributed to the rise to
power of the Nazi party in Germany. Was the Treaty of Versailles a
legitimate and justified attempt by the victorious powers to ensure that
Germany would never again pose a military threat? Or did the Treaty, as the
Nazis and many other politicians in Germany claimed, place an unfair and
unnecessarily punitive burden on Germany? President Woodrow Wilson

Learning Objectives

To learn the motives and aims of the Treaty of Versailles

To learn the terms that the Treaty imposed on Germany
To consider how each country's unique wartime experience may have shaped its aims at
the Peace Conference; to examine the different motives and aims of the United States and
other allies such as France
To learn about Germany's reaction to the Treaty of Versailles
To discuss whether the terms of the Treaty were fair

Resources:

http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/ASLevel_History/week4_versailles.htm

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

Questions to be answered, in your notebook:

1. Explain the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

2. Clemenceau, Wilson and Lloyd George were present at the Paris Peace conference. How
did what they wanted to achieve from the treaty differ?
3. How did the Treaty of Versailles affect Germany?
4. Have a look at this document, and this document. What was Germany’s response to the
treaty? (Use specific words).(Count Brockdorff-Rantzau was the German Foreign Minister).
5. What are your views on the Treaty of Versailles? Was it fair or not? Support your answer.
(100-120 words).