Introduction to the Treaty of Versailles

• Made at the Paris peace conference in the palace of Versailles.
• Important decisions by big three (UK, France, USA).
• Problems from the start as Wilson was ill.
• Supported by diplomats and experts but didn't take their advice.
• Treaty of Versailles a model for the other treaties.
• Mood in 1919 - strong feelings that Germany responsible for war and should be punished.
• Economy bad in all countries so USA and UK wanted to gain as much as possible.
• Ordinary people had shortages of food etc.
• Politicians in victor countries knew that they could get support if they promised hard policies on Germanys.
• Germany treated Russia badly in Brest-Litovsk so the allies used this as further evidence to punish Germany.