The Big Three's Reactions to the Treaty

How did the Big Three react to the decisions made at the Paris Peace Conference?

Because the Big Three disagreed over so much about the treaty, it was unlikely any of them would get everything they wanted. However, each of their countries gained from what was agreed.

How did Clemenceau react to the Paris Peace Conference?

Clemenceau's negotiation style was forceful and uncooperative. He was happy with some aspects of the treaty that weakened Germany but was left unhappy that they did not go far enough.

What were the reasons for Clemenceau's reaction to the Paris Peace Conference?

There where 3 important reasons for Clemenceau's reaction to the Paris Peace Conference.

• ❖ France was protected by German disarmament and the demilitarisation of the Rhineland.
• ❖ Germany's economic and military power was seriously limited.
• ❖ Clemenceau wanted an Anglo-American guarantee that they would protect France if it was attacked. However, shortly afterwards the USA withdrew into isolation, and Britain refused to guarantee its protection for France alone.

What was the consequence for Clemenceau's reaction to the Paris Peace Conference?

Clemenceau's results were unpopular in France. He was defeated in the presidential elections of January 1920, and resigned as prime minister.

How did Lloyd George from the Big Three react to the Paris Peace Conference?

Lloyd George was happy with 5 different aspects of the Versailles Settlement:

• ❖ Of all the Big Three, Lloyd George's achievements won the highest level of popularity from his own country.
• ❖ He persuaded Clemenceau to take a more moderate approach, by promising an Anglo-American guarantee.
• ❖ He extended the British Empire by 1.8 million square miles.
• ❖ He felt the peace was harsh enough to punish the losers, while still allowing them to recover and trade.
• ❖ He disagreed with the outcome that many German people now lived in Poland and Czechoslovakia.

How did Woodrow Wilson from the Big Three react to the Paris Peace Conference?

President Woodrow Wilson was pleased with 4 aspects of the treaty, but unhappy with 4 others:

• ❖ His idea for a League of Nations was written into the peace treaties.
• ❖ He was glad the treaties forced the defeated countries to disarm.
• ❖ He was glad Germany did not lose the Rhineland or have to pay unreasonably high reparations.
• ❖ He was very happy about the creation of the self-determined states of Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.
• ❖ However, there was no self-determination for the people of Germany and Austria, who could not unite, or for the Germans living in Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland.
• ❖ Britain, France and Japan controlled many of Germany's former colonies, even though these were supposed to be run by the League of Nations.
• ❖ Wilson's idea for the freedom of the seas was abandoned.
• ❖ However, the worst disappointment of the peace settlement for Wilson was that Congress refused to accept it. America was entering a period of isolationism and withdrew from world affairs.