The Treaty Of Versailles

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).