Peace-making, 1919–1923: the roles and aims of Clemenceau, Wilson and Lloyd George; the Treaty of Versailles; the East and Southern European settlements and the settlement with Turkey
After the First World War, three leaders met in Paris to decide the peace terms. Their conflicting goals shaped a series of treaties that redrew the map of Europe and punished the defeated powers.
Real World
Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles — the 'War Guilt' clause — forced Germany to accept sole responsibility for the war, providing the legal basis for £6.6 billion in reparations set in 1921, a sum the Weimar Republic cited as a key grievance fuelling political instability throughout the 1920s.
Exam Focus
Always name the specific treaty clause or article when analysing Versailles terms — vague references to 'harsh terms' will not access the highest mark bands.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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