THE BIG THREE: US, FRANCE, &

BRITAINAims and Motives at the Paris

Peace Conference

THE UNITED STATES: AIMS End the outdated form of international

relations dominated by secret treaties and alliances—replace it with a “New Diplomacy” –open negotiations, global disarmament, economic cooperation, and a League of Nations to resolve disputes

Punish Germany, but not excessively The 14 Points…

THE UNITED STATES: 14 AIMS Look at the 14 Points. Answer these

questions:1. What do you think the aims and motives

were of Wilson’s Fourteen Points? (2 marks)2. What do the Fourteen Points tell us about

Wilson’s view of the causes of WWI? (2 marks)

COMPREHENSION/UNDERSTANDING OF A SOURCE This is one of the four types of questions

found in Paper 1. They require you to understand a source

and extract TWO or THREE relevant points that relate to the particular question.

COMPREHENSION QUESTION

Examiner’s tips: Step 1: Read the source and highlight/underline key

points Step 2: Write a concise answer. Just a couple of brief

sentences are needed, showing you understand the message of the source—but make sure you make three clear points for a 3-mark question, and two clear points for a 2-mark question. Clearly distinguish between points.

Common mistakes: Don’t comment on the wrong source! Don’t just copy the source—Summarize key points in

your own words Scoring:

You get one point for each relevant/correct piece of info, up to 2 or 3

THE UNITED STATES: MOTIVES Wilson had brought the US into WWI to

promote and extend democracy—now he had to see that happen in Europe and its colonies

He wanted a just international legal system He was concerned an overly harsh

punishment for Germany would cause resentment, retaliation, and ultimately, another war

The US economy was booming—and needed foreign markets to sell to.. The economic strength of Europe was tied to the US and required free trade around the world

THE UNITED STATES: REACTIONS

Some believed Wilson was an idealist and the US entered the war late, so did not understand the European need to punish Germany, keep colonial holdings, or deal with the suffering & material damage of the war

The 14 Points did not offer the protection and guarantees many Europeans hoped for

British saw it as an attack on imperialism

BRITAIN: AIMS & MOTIVES Prime Minister David Lloyd George is often seen

as the middle ground between USA and France—the balance between idealism and revenge

Make Germany pay reparations George had just won British elections and the people

wanted a harsh punishment for Germany Dominions (former colonies: Australia, Canada, South

Africa) wanted a share of the reparations payments Deal with the naval threat of Germany—build up

Belgian strength to protect the English Channel German U-boat actions during WWI destroyed British

shipping industry Belgium could help control the waters between them

without one country controlling it

BRITAIN: AIMS & MOTIVES The Fontainebleau Memorandum:

reconciliation in Europe, fair treatment of Germany so they will accept the treatyBritain had already achieved much of what

it desired—German navy was destroyed, colonies in British hands, not a trade rival

Keep Germany from going Communist If Germany was humiliated & poor, it would

be a breeding ground for communism; a strong Germany would prevent it.

Provoking German desire for revenge would lead to another war

BRITAIN: AIMS & MOTIVES Don’t take away all of Germany’s

borderlandsBritain wanted to diminish Germany’s

power, but didn’t want an over-powerful France, therefore having one country of Europe dominating it

Germany had been Britain’s second-largest trading partner, and to return to a pre-war economy would require them back as a partner

FRANCE: AIMS & MOTIVES Security.

From 1870-1914 France was invaded by Germany twice

They were determined not to be humiliated again Prevent German recovery: impose

reparations Redraw borders to give Alsace-Lorraine back

to France & annex the Saarland, left bank of the Rhine—create a natural border/buffer, limit German army & exclude them from LoN Much of the fighting of WWI had been on French

soil—drove their bitterness at Germany

FRANCE: REACTIONS Document Practice

ITALY: EXPECTATIONS Britain and France had promised Italy

some land prizes if they won the war—Treaty of London 1915 (when Italy entered WWI)

After the war Italy demanded a little more than the terms of the Treaty of London—they were experiencing unrest at home and thought they could strengthen its position with the public through bigger prizes

The Big Three (US, France, Britain) did not care. Italy joined late and was not an equal

JAPAN: EXPECTATIONS Japan was supposed to get some

German colonies in Asia, as well as British support of Japan taking Manchuria and Inner Mongolia

Allies at Paris did not agree to these things after all

Japan felt unequal but also racially discriminated against

GERMANY: DENIAL? Most Germans didn’t feel they’d lost WWI. Germany almost won in early 1918, so the

people did not expect to be treated as a defeated nation.

Germany appealed first to the US, thinking they’d be more lenient.

A series of events in Germany led to their surrender: British naval blockades had caused a severe food

shortage in Germany In many cities, soviets were set up to run the

country—these were worker’s councils The rebellion’s goal was to end the war, but it

looked a lot like the communist takeover of Russia

GERMANY: A NEW GOVERNMENT The major political party in Germany

was the Social Democrats They disapproved of the rebellion but

told Kaiser Wilhelm II that if he didn’t abdicate, they would join the revolution

November 9, 1918 riots in Berlin looked like the end of Germany

Social Democrats declared a new German republic: The Weimar Republic

Wilhelm disappeared in exile to the Netherlands

GERMANY: THE ARMISTICE German troops would withdraw beyond

the Rhine, everything near the river to be occupied or demilitarized

Blockade of German coast would continue

No war material, submarines, navy, or air force

PROBLEMS OF THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC People thought the armistice was

cowardly The blockade kept them starving National income had dropped by 2/3 Many blamed the new government for

their difficulties, not the war Communist uprisings occurred in some

towns—quickly put down, but a sign of tension

NEWSPAPER PROJECT Your group will be one of the following:

United States Germany France Britain

You will create the front page of your country’s newspaper for the night before the opening of the Paris Peace Conferences.

Include at least one picture, at least one chart/graph, an article stating the reactions to the war, and an article stating the aims/motivations for the peace treaties.

PRIORITIES AT THE PPC To establish a just and lasting peace To punish Germany To reward the victors To prevent Germany from starting

another war