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Ending the War to End All Wars
Overview
Students will learn about the armistice that ended of World War I and the Paris Peace Conference, which decided
the fate of post-WWI Germany. A short PowerPoint centered discussion introduces students to the armistice and
various national reactions to it. Students then assume the roles of one of the “Big Four” leaders at the Paris Peace
to debate the fate of post-war Germany and create their own version of the Treaty of Versailles. Finally, students
compare their Treaty of Versailles with the actual Treaty and then make predictions about its effects on the post-
World War I world.
Grades
9-12
Materials
• “Ending the War to End All Wars” accompanying PowerPoint, available in Carolina K-12’s Database of K-12
Resources, here: https://k12database.unc.edu/wp-
content/uploads/sites/31/2012/05/EndingWartoEndAllWarsPPT.pdf
o To view this PDF as a projectable presentation, save the file, click “View” in the top menu bar of the file,
and select “Full Screen Mode”
o To request an editable PPT version of this presentation, send a request to [email protected]
• Paris Peace Conference Simulation Roles and Supplemental Documents (attached)
o US President Woodrow Wilson
o British Prime Minster David Lloyd George
o French Premier Georges Clemenceau
o Italian Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando
o Blank Treaty of Versailles Handout
o Treaty of Versailles Summary Handout
Essential Questions:
• How did World War I end?
• What was the Paris Peace Conference?
• What issues did the Treaty of Versailles settle?
• What issues were not settled at the Treaty of Versailles?
• How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to World War II?
Duration
One 90 minute class period
Student Preparation
Students should be familiar with the causes and course of World War I. This lesson should be completed toward
the end of the World War I unit.
Procedure
Warm Up: Armistice Day Cartoon
1. As a warm up, project slide 2 of the “Paris Peace Conference” PowerPoint and, without revealing any
information, allow students to silently view the image for a few minutes. Then, pose the following questions
to the class:
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• What features jumped out at you when you first saw this picture?
• What do you think the helmet represents? How can you tell? What do you notice about the helmet?
• What is under the helmet? What do you think it represents?
• What type of bird is in this image? What is the bird holding in its mouth? What do these symbols
represent?
• What do you think the date signifies?
The Armistice
2. Inform students that this cartoon appeared in the Cedar Rapids, Michigan Gazette on November 11, 1918 –
the same day the World War I armistice was signed. Have the class brainstorm for a minute what the word
“armistice” means and solicit a few student responses. Move to slide 3, which contains the definition of
armistice - A temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement between opponents, a truce - and compare the
student definitions to the dictionary definition.
3. Transition to slide 4 which contains a picture of the front page of the New York Times from November 11,
1918 and pose the following questions to the students:
• What does the NY Times headline tell you about Germany?
o Germany is turmoil, they have a new government, people are upset with the armistice, German Empire
is disbanded because the Kaiser has fled.
4. Move to slide 5 & 6 – “Armistice Fast Facts & Armistice Terms” – and pose the following questions to the
students:
• As you look at the painting depicting the signing of the Armistice, what do you notice about the German
delegation?
o They’re all standing
• What do you notice about the Allied personnel? Do you think that they’re sitting on purpose? What do
you think that indicates?
o They’re all sitting except for one officer. They could be sitting on purpose as a sign of disrespect to the
Germans.
• What do you notice about the terms of the Armistice? Do you think that Germany had any input in writing
the Armistice agreement?
• Using what you know about World War I, do you think the Armistice is too harsh, too lenient, or
appropriate?
5. Instruct students to take out a piece of paper and then count off each student from 1 to 9 before moving to
slide 7. After revealing slide 7 – “After the Armistice” – inform them that this picture was taken a few minutes
after the Armistice was signed. Tell students that based upon the number they drew, they will assume the
character of the person in the image labeled with the corresponding number and write a first-person response
to what they are thinking, feeling, seeing, hearing, etc. Once students have had time to formulate and write
down their thoughts, give them a 1 minute warning and tell them to review what they have written in
preparation for sharing. Ask students to share their writings and then discuss the following questions:
• What types of important information did you hear from these characters?
• Did anything surprise you? Did anyone interpret one of the figures very differently than you would have?
Explain.
• If you had to give this picture a caption or title, what would it be?
• How do you think people in England and France reacted to news of the Armistice?
• How do you think people in the United States reacted to news of the Armistice?
• Who is noticeably absent from the picture? Do you think this was intentional?
• How do you think people in Germany reacted to news of the Armistice?
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6. Optional Activity: Have 9 student volunteers who represent each figure to come to the front of the classroom
and take the same position as the people in the image. In numerical order, have the students read their first-
person monologues.
7. Continue through slides 8, 9, & 10 which show French, British, and American reactions to the news of the
Armistice. Pose the following questions to the class:
• Why do you think everyone is so happy?
• What do you notice about the two “British Reaction” images? Are they similar or different? What does
each one tell you about the mood in Britain after the news of the Armistice?
8. Refer back to the “After the Armistice” image on slide 8 and ask students:
• What country’s representatives are absent from the image?
o Germany
• What do you think the German reaction to the Armistice was? Why?
Proceed to slide 11 displaying the following quote from Matthias Erzberger, German signatory of the
Armistice: “a nation of seventy millions can suffer, but it cannot die.” Discuss:
• What do you think Matthias means?
• What does this tell you about what he thinks about the armistice? What is he accusing France and Britain
of?
• Do you think the German people agree or disagree with him? Why?
9. Continue onto slide 12 displaying a postcard depicting the feelings of many Germans toward the Armistice.
The caption reads, “Germans, think about it!”
• Can you identify any of the figures in the image? Who is the fat man looking on with approval?
o The German Army, Matthias Erzberger
• What is the man with the knife doing?
o Sneaking up on the German army – while they are still fighting – and stabbing them in the back.
• Can you guess who the man holding the knife is?
o Philipp Scheidemann, the leader of the provisional government that ran Germany after the Kaiser’s
abdication. He was the man that called for an armistice with the Allied forces.
• What does this tell you about German feelings towards the Armistice?
o They felt that the new government stabbed the German Army and the German people in the back and
accepting such unfavorable terms. This leads to a popular resentment of the Weimar Government and
Hitler exploits these feelings when he becomes leader of Germany.
➢ Teacher Note: The figures sitting in the background are “wealthy Jews - the alleged perpetrators of the deed.”
The “stab in the back” theory becomes an important part of anti-Jewish Nazi propaganda under Hitler’s
regime. One of the reasons that Germans believed in the “stabbed in the back” legend is that many felt that
they had been winning the war all along – all of the major fighting took place outside of Germany’s borders,
the Germans had made peace with the Russians, many German leaders proclaimed to the returning troops
that “no enemy has vanquished you. Many scholars argue that reality was different – the German army was
out of reserves, the arrival of the Americans erased any advantages the Germans may have had against the
Allies, and increasing opposition to the war from the German army, navy, and home front.
To illustrate how unpopular the Armistice was with many Germans, inform students that Matthias Erzberger
was assassinated in 1921 by an ultra-nationalist group, Organisation Consul, for his role in signing the
Armistice.
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“Peace-ing” the World Back Together: The Paris Peace Conference
10. Continue on to slide 13, and ask the students to view the cartoon – “Tasks of Peace” – and then discuss the
following questions:
• Describe what is happening in this cartoon?
• What does this cartoon imply about the state of Europe after World War I?
• Why wasn’t the Armistice enough to end the war?
o It was only a temporary agreement to stop fighting and it only concerned Germany, not the rest of the
Central Powers.
• How would you go about creating peace after such a devastating conflict?
• Using the information you just learned, why might it be difficult to achieve peace?
11. Slides 14 & 15 provide background information about the Paris Peace Conference and the lesser known
treaties that emerged from the conference.
Treaty of Versailles Simulation
12. Place students into groups of 4, one for each of the following roles: US President Woodrow Wilson, French
Premier Georges Clemenceau, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, and Italian Premier Vittorio Orlando.
Inform students that they are going to assume one of the personas of the “Big Four” and decide the fate of
Germany after World War I. Distribute the attached handouts and corresponding document sheets and
review the instructions:
• Answer the questions you’ve been assigned on a separate sheet of paper, using the documents provided
and your knowledge of World War I. Next, fill out the “Peace Terms Proposal” section of your handout.
You will present your proposal to the other world leaders and attempt to persuade them to adopt all or
parts of your treaty. After each of the “Big Four” has presented, the group will vote on what terms to
adopt. If there is a tie, skip that provision, move onto the others and then, revisit the unresolved provision
until a majority vote can be reached. Once the group has completed their votes, fill out the “Versailles
Treaty” handout.
13. Allow groups 30 minutes to work on their peace proposals. Provide them with frequent updates of the
remaining time and circulate throughout the room to ensure that they stay on task.
➢ Teacher Note: To ensure that all students are completing their work within the group, assign an individual
grade based upon student responses to their questions and a group grade based upon the final copy of the
Versailles Treaty handout.
14. After the allotted time, provide each group with the attached “Treaty of Versailles” summary and instruct
them to compare their group’s version with the actual treaty. Discuss the following questions to debrief:
• How does your group’s treaty differ from the real Treaty of Versailles?
• Was it difficult to make a decision deciding on the fate of Germany?
• Did you agree or disagree with the role you were assigned?
• Did your group find it easy or difficult to reach a consensus? What section of the treaty was the hardest to
reach a consensus for?
• What country was noticeably not represented in your conference? Why do you think this happened?
How did this impact the decision making process?
• How do you think people in France, Britain, the United States, Italy and Germany reacted to the Treaty?
15. Share the following quote from David Lloyd George commenting on the Treaty of Versailles: “We shall have to
fight another war again in 25 years time."
• What does this quote tell you about George’s feelings toward the Treaty?
• Do you agree with him? If so, who do you think will fight another war?
• Do you think that if the treaty was different, a Second World War could have been avoided?
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Additional Activities
• Assign the students a country – Germany, France, Britain, the United States, or Italy – and have them write a
letter to the editor explaining why they support or oppose the Treaty of Versailles.
• See Carolina K-12’s lesson, “Rise of Totalitarianism”.
Resources
• PBS – “The Great War”: http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/
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World War I Casualty Figures
One way to understand the violence and slaughter that occurred in the Great War is to examine the number of casualties and deaths. Exact
figures are still in dispute, because of different definitions used each category, the questionable accuracy of the recording system used and the
loss or destruction of a number of official documents. The data in the tables below reflect numbers from several sources and are consistent with
most experts' current estimates.
Country
Total Mobilized
Forces
Wounded
Prisoners and
Missing
Total Casualties
Casualties as % of
Forces
ALLIED AND ASSOCIATED POWERS
Russia
12,000,000
4,950,000
2,500,000
9,150,000
76.3
British Empire
8,904,467
2,090,212
191,652
3,190,235
35.8
France
8,410,000
4,266,000
537,000
6,160,800
73.3
Italy
5,615,000
947,000
600,000
2,197,000
39.1
United States
4,355,000
204,002
4,500
323,018
7.1
Japan
800,000
907
3
1,210
0.2
Romania
750,000
120,000
80,000
535,706
71.4
Serbia
707,343
133,148
152,958
331,106
46.8
Belgium
267,000
44,686
34,659
93,061
34.9
Greece
230,000
21,000
1,000
27,000
11.7
Portugal
100,000
13,751
12,318
33,291
33.3
Montenegro
50,000
10,000
7,000
20,000
40.0
TOTAL
42,188,810
12,800,706
4,121,090
22,062,427
52.3
ALLIED AND ASSOCIATED POWERS
Germany
11,000,000
4,216,058
1,152,800
7,142,558
64.9
Austria-Hungary
7,800,000
3,620,000
2,200,000
7,020,000
90.0
Turkey
2,850,000
400,000
250,000
975,000
34.2
Bulgaria
1,200,000
152,390
27,029
266,919
22.2
TOTAL
22,850,000
8,388,448
3,629,829
15,404,477
67.4
GRAND TOTAL
65,038,810
21,189,154
7,750,919
37,466,904
57.5
Source: http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/resources/casdeath_pop.html
War Expenditures & National Income
Nation
Expenditures
National Income (1914)
British Empire
$23 billion
$11 billion
France
$9.3 billion
Unavailable
US
$17.1 billion
$37 billion
Germany
$19.9 billion
$12 billion
Source: http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/us32.cfm
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World War I Maps
Europe in 1914
German Colonies
The Disputed Territories
Tyrol
Dalmati
a
German
East
Africa
German
Southwest
Africa
German West
Africa
German
New
Guinea
Togoland
Treaty of London
(1915)
Trieste
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US President Woodrow Wilson
Directions: You are United States President, Woodrow Wilson. You’re aiming for the following results at the
Paris Peace Conference: to end war by creating a League of Nations, to ensure that Germany is not
destroyed, to obtain a peace without victory. Using the casualty charts, maps, documents below, answer
the attached questions to create a peace proposal to present to your fellow world leaders. At the
conference, you must try convince your fellow world leaders to adopt your resolution to World War I.
Document A: The Fourteen Points
Fourteen Points, The, a set of 14 principles proposed by President Woodrow Wilson as a basis for ending World War I and for
keeping the peace thereafter. These principles were set forth by Wilson in an address to the United States Congress on
January 8, 1918. Germany welcomed this basis for peace when on the verge of defeat by the Allies some months later. In
summary form, the Fourteen Points were:
1. Abolition of secret diplomacy by adoption of open covenants (agreements), openly arrived at.
2. Freedom of the seas in peace and war, except as the seas may be closed in whole or in part by international
action to enforce international covenants.
3. Removal of international trade barriers where-ever possible and establishment of equal trading conditions
among the nations accepting the peace.
4. Reduction of armaments to the lowest point consistent with public safety.
5. Adjustment of colonial claims, taking into account the interests of the colonial population as well as those of the
rival colonial powers.
6. Evacuation of German troops from Russian territory, and an opportunity for Russia, then engaged in the
Communist revolution, to determine its form of government without outside interference.
7. Evacuation of German troops from Belgium.
8. Evacuation and restoration by Germany of French territory, with restoration to France of Alsace-Lorraine.
9. Readjustment of the frontiers of Italy along clearly recognizable lines of nationality.
10. Opportunity of autonomous development for the peoples of Austria-Hungary.
11. Evacuation by the Central Powers of Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania; granting of seaports to Serbia; and
international guarantees of the political and economic independence and territorial integrity of the Balkan states.
12. Internationalization of the Dardanelles and self-determination for non-Turkish peoples under Turkish control.
13. An independent Poland with access to the sea.
14. Establishment of a general association of nations to afford mutual guarantees of political independence and
territorial integrity to large and small nations alike.
In a speech on July 4, 1918, Wilson described the spirit of the Fourteen Points: “What we seek is the reign of law, based upon
the consent of the governed and sustained by the organized opinion of mankind.”
Source: http://history.howstuffworks.com/world-war-i/fourteen-points.htm
Document B: Treaty of London and Wilson’s Reaction
Treaty of London (1915); A secret treaty between neutral Italy and the Allied forces of France, Britain, and Russia to bring Italy
into World War I. The Allies wanted Italy’s participation because of its border with Austria. Italy was promised Trieste,
southern Tyrol, northern Dalmatia, and other territories in return for a pledge to enter the war within a month. Despite
opposition of most Italians, who favored neutrality, Italy joined the war [..] Source:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1381765/Treaty-of-London
Wilson’s Reaction: […] Western Powers refused to grant Italy the extensive compensation it had expected along the Adriatic
Coast. The others were not impressed with Italy’s performance in the war, and Wilson was opposed to giving the Italians
territory that contained predominantly South Slav populations.
Source: Lyons, Michael. World War II: A Short History. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2004. 14-15. Print
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Name ___________________________________ US President Woodrow Wilson
Directions: Answer the questions you’ve been assigned on a separate sheet of paper, using the documents provided and your
knowledge of World War I. Next, fill out the “Peace Terms Proposal” section of your handout. You will present your proposal
to the other world leaders and attempt to persuade them to adopt all or parts of your treaty. After each of the “Big Four” has
presented, the group will vote on what terms to adopt. If there is a tie, skip that provision, move onto the others and then,
revisit the unresolved provision until a majority vote can be reached. Once the group has completed their votes, fill out the
“Versailles Treaty” handout.
Questions
1. Does any country bear the blame for starting World War I? If yes, which one is guilty and why? If no, why?
2. Do you think that Germany should pay war reparations to the Allies? If so, how much and how did you arrive at that
figure?
3. Should Germany’s army and navy be disbanded? Why or why not? Does Germany have a right to defend itself from
outside invasion?
4. Should a Polish state be created out of German lands? Why or why not?
5. Should the United States ask for any German colonies as part of the peace settlement? Why or why not?
6. What German territory, if any, should go to France or England?
7. Should the Rhineland be given to France, demilitarized (no German army stationed can be stationed there), or left alone?
Why?
8. Why might Wilson be willing to give Tyrol & Trieste to the Italians, but not Dalmatia?
9. Why do you think that the President Wilson wanted to impose a soft punishment on Germany, as opposed to many of his
European counterparts – specifically French Premier Georges Clemenceau? Why might the United States be more
forgiving towards Germany?
10. Why do you think the Germans were quick to negotiate after Wilson delivered his Fourteen Points speech and after the
US entered the war?
Peace Terms Proposal
War Guilt Clause
Territorial Requests
• United States: ______________________________________________________________________________________
• France: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
• United Kingdom: ___________________________________________________________________________________
• Italy: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
• Poland: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
War Reparations Amount
Should There Be a League of Nations?
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Name ___________________________________ French Premier Georges Clemenceau
Directions: Answer the questions you’ve been assigned on a separate sheet of paper, using the documents
provided and your knowledge of World War I. Next, fill out the “Peace Terms Proposal” section of your
handout. You will present your proposal to the other world leaders and attempt to persuade them to adopt all or parts of
your treaty. After each of the “Big Four” has presented, the group will vote on what terms to adopt. If there is a tie, skip that
provision, move onto the others and then, revisit the unresolved provision until a majority vote can be reached. Once the
group has completed their votes, fill out the “Versailles Treaty” handout.
Questions
1. Does any country bear the blame for starting World War I? If yes, which one is guilty and why? If no, why?
2. Do you think that Germany should pay war reparations to the Allies? If so, how much and how did you arrive at that
figure?
3. Should Germany’s army and navy be disbanded? Why or why not? Does Germany have a right to defend itself from
outside invasion?
4. Should a Polish state be created out of German lands? Why or why not?
5. What German territory, if any, should go to France?
6. Should any territory be given to the United States and Britain? If so, what and why?
7. Should the Rhineland be given to France, demilitarized (no German army stationed can be stationed there), or left alone?
Why?
8. Why might Clemenceau be reluctant to give Italy all the territory it requested?
9. Why do you think that France wanted to impose a harsh punishment on Germany? How does this contrast with Wilson’s
proposals for peace?
10. How do you think Clemenceau feels about a League of Nations? Why?
Peace Terms Proposal
War Guilt Clause
Territorial Requests
United States: __________________________________________________________________________________________
France: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
United Kingdom: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Italy: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Poland: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
War Reparations Amount
Should There Be a League of Nations?
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French Premier Georges Clemenceau
Directions: You are French Premier, Georges Clemenceau. You’re aiming for the following results at the Paris Peace
Conference: punishing Germany, return Alsace-Lorraine to France, oppose a League of Nations, huge reparations from
Germany, and to disband or weaken the German army. Using the casualty charts, maps, documents below, answer the
attached questions to create a peace proposal to present to your fellow world leaders. At the conference, you must try
convince your fellow world leaders to adopt your resolution to World War I.
Document A: Short History of France and Germany
“Clemenceau desired a harsh peace that would keep Germany permanently crippled or at least postpone its ability to make
war for as long as possible. The French leader hated the Germans and was contemptuous of [US President] Wilson.
Clemenceau had experienced two German invasions of France during his lifetime – in 1870 and, of course, in 1914. He was
determined that it should never happen again.” – Historian Michael J. Lyons
Source: Lyons, Michael. World War II: A Short History. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2004. 14-15. Print.
Document B: Clemenceau’s Attitude Toward US President Wilson’s Treaty Proposal
“Mr. Wilson bores me with his Fourteen Points; why, God Almighty has only Ten!”
Source: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Georges_Clemenceau
Document C: Preliminaries of Peace with Germany
“There are three essential problems which must be solved in order to reconcile the necessary strategic guarantees with the
principle of the rights of the People: (1) Guarantees regarding the left bank of the Rhine (military neutralization without
political interference) (2) Complete restoration of Poland (which will deal a final blow to Prussian hegemony) (3) The future
government of Germany (in conformity with the right of nations to the free choice of their own system of Government).
Source: http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/greatwar
Document D: Territorial Clauses
“These conditions will indicated the new frontiers of Germany under the form of restittuion of those promises which Prussia
had unjustly incorporated either in her own territory or in that of the Germany Empire:
A. Restitution to France of the provinces of Germany and [Alsace and] Lorraine seized from France
in 1815 and 1871 […]
B. Cession to the reconstituted State of Poland of the Polish districts of Prussia, of Posnanina, and of Upper Silesia as
well as access to the Baltic.
[…]
F. Cession by the German Government of its sovereign rights over German overseas possessions
G. Recognition by Germany of the French protectorate over Morocco in its entirety […]
H. Recognition by Germany of Great Britain’s protectorate over Egypt.
Source: http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/greatwar
Document E: Clauses of reparation restitutions and guarantees
“Generally, all damage occasioned by the war either in Allied territories which have been occupied by German troops and
which have been subjected to bombardment by the German Fleet or aeroplanes, or by sea as the result of German action, to
be made good at the expense of the German Government.”
Source: http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/greatwar
Document F: More Territorial Requests
“A much more important provision concerned the Rhineland. In keeping with French war aims, Clemenceau favored its
separation from Germany and the establishment of an independent Rhenish state.” – Historian Michael J. Lyons Source: Lyons,
Michael. World War II: A Short History. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2004. p.15. Print.
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Name ___________________________________ British Prime Minister David Lloyd George
Directions: Answer the questions you’ve been assigned on a separate piece of paper, using the documents provided and your
knowledge of World War I. Next, fill out the “Peace Terms Proposal” section of your handout. You will present your proposal
to the other world leaders and attempt to persuade them to adopt all or parts of your treaty. After each of the “Big Four” has
presented, the group will vote on what terms to adopt. If there is a tie, skip that provision, move onto the others and then,
revisit the unresolved provision until a majority vote can be reached. Once the group has completed their votes, fill out the
“Versailles Treaty” handout.
Questions
1. Does any country bear the blame for starting World War I? If yes, which one is guilty and why? If no, why?
2. Do you think that Germany should pay war reparations to the Allies? If so, how much and how did you arrive at that
figure?
3. Should Germany’s army and navy be disbanded? Why or why not? Does Germany have a right to defend itself from
outside invasion?
4. Should a Polish state be created out of German lands? Why or why not?
5. What German territory, if any, should go to England?
6. Should any territory be given to the United States and France? If so, what and why?
7. Should the Rhineland be given to France, demilitarized (no German army stationed can be stationed there), or left alone?
Why?
8. Why might Lloyd George be reluctant to give Italy all the territory it requested?
9. Why do you think that Britain wanted to impose a moderate punishment on Germany? How does this contrast with
Wilson’s and Clemenceau’s proposals for peace?
10. How do you think David Lloyd George feels about a League of Nations? Why?
Peace Terms Proposal
War Guilt Clause
Territorial Requests
United States: __________________________________________________________________________________________
France:_______________________________________________________________________________________________
United Kingdom: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Italy:_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Poland: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
War Reparations Amount
Should There Be a League of Nations?
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British Prime Minister David-Lloyd George
Directions: You are British Prime Minister, David-Lloyd George. You’re aiming for the following results at the Paris Peace
Conference: a ‘just’ peace that would be tough enough to ‘make Germany pay’, but would still allow Germany to trade, an
expansion of Britain’s empire, and to safeguard Britain’s naval superiority. Using the casualty charts, maps, documents
below, answer the attached questions to create a peace proposal to present to your fellow world leaders. At the conference,
you must try convince your fellow world leaders to adopt your resolution to World War I.
Document A: David Lloyd George’s Reaction to Working with President Wilson and Premier Clemenceau
“I think I did as well as might be expected, seated as I was between Jesus Christ and Napoleon Bonaparte.”
Source: Lyons, Michael. World War II: A Short History. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2004. p.15. Print.
Document B: “Some considerations [from David-Lloyd George] for the Peace Conference before they finally draft their
terms”
“You may strip Germany of her colonies, reduce her armaments to a mere police force and end her navy to that of a fifth rate
power; all the same in the end if she feels that she has been unjustly treated in the peace of 1919 she will find mean of
exacting retribution from her conquerors. The impression, the deep impression, made upon the human heart by four years of
unexampled slaughter will disappear with the hearts upon which it has been marked by the terrible sword of the great war.
The maintenance of peace will then depend upon there being no causes of exasperation constantly stirring up the spirit of
patriotism, of justice or of fair play to achieve redress. Our terms may be severe, they may be stern and even ruthless but at
the same time they can be so just that the country on which they are imposed will feel in its heart that it has no right to
complain. But injustice, arrogance, displayed in the hour of triumph will never be forgotten or forgiven.”
Source: http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/greatwar
Document C: “Some considerations [from David-Lloyd George] for the Peace Conference before they finally draft their
terms”
“If we are wise, we shall offer to Germany a peace, which, while just, will be preferable for all sensible men to the alternative
of Bolshevism [communism]. I would, therefore, put it in the forefront of the peace that once she accepts our terms,
especially reparation, we will open to her the raw materials and markets of the world on equal terms with ourselves, and will
do everything possible to enable the German people to get upon their legs again. We cannot both cripple her and expect her
to pay.”
Source: http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/greatwar
Document D: Rhineland
“Under this agreement [proposed by George and Wilson] the Rhineland remained part of Germany, but the Allies were
allowed to maintain troops there for 15 years. When this period expired, they were to withdraw their forces, and the entire
area was to remain permanently demilitarized, […].”
Source: Lyons, Michael. World War II: A Short History. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2004. p.15. Print.
Document E: Allied Feelings towards the Italians
“The leaders of Britain and France, for their part, deeply regretted making such promises [of territory in Austria-Hungary in
exchange for Italian participation in WWI]; they viewed Italy with annoyance, feeling the Italians had botched their attacks on
Austria-Hungary during the war, failed to honor their naval promises and repeatedly asked for resources which they then
failed to put towards the war effort.”
Source: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/italian-delegates-return-to-paris-peace-conference
14
Name ___________________________________ Italian Premier Vittorio Orlando
Directions: Answer the questions you’ve been assigned on a separate sheet of paper, using the documents
provided and your knowledge of World War I. Next, fill out the “Peace Terms Proposal” section of your
handout. You will present your proposal to the other world leaders and attempt to persuade them to adopt
all or parts of your treaty. After each of the “Big Four” has presented, the group will vote on what terms to
adopt. If there is a tie, skip that provision, move onto the others and then, revisit the unresolved provision until a majority
vote can be reached. Once the group has completed their votes, fill out the “Versailles Treaty” handout.
Questions
1. Does any country bear the blame for starting World War I? If yes, which one is guilty and why? If no, why?
2. Do you think that Germany should pay war reparations to the Allies? If so, how much and how did you arrive at that
figure?
3. Should Germany’s army and navy be disbanded? Why or why not? Does Germany have a right to defend itself from
outside invasion?
4. Should a Polish state be created out of German lands? Why or why not?
5. What German territory, if any, should go to Italy? Should Italy request more than what was promised by the Treaty of
London?
6. Should any territory be given to the United States, France, and Britain? If so, what and why?
7. Should the Rhineland be given to France, demilitarized (no German army stationed can be stationed there), or left alone?
Why?
8. What type of punishment do you think Italy wanted to impose upon Germany – harsh or lenient? Why?
9. What problems at home does Orlando face? What do you think will happen if he is unable to secure new land for Italy?
10. How do you think Vittorio Orlando feels about a League of Nations? Why?
Peace Terms Proposal
War Guilt Clause
Territorial Requests
United States: __________________________________________________________________________________________
France: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
United Kingdom: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Italy: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Poland: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
War Reparations Amount
Should There Be a League of Nations?
15
Italian Premier Vittorio Orlando
Directions: You are Italian Premier, Vittorio Orlando. You’re aiming for the following results at the Paris Peace
Conference: increase Italian territorial holdings and secure war reparations. Using the casualty charts, maps,
documents below, answer the attached questions to create a peace proposal to present to your fellow world
leaders. At the conference, you must try convince your fellow world leaders to adopt your resolution to World
War I.
Document A: Treaty of London (1915)
“The Entente, for its part, offered much more substantial gains of territory—most of which currently fell within the
Austro-Hungarian Empire—and it was under these terms that Italy signed the Treaty of London on April 26, 1915.
Italy was promised the fulfillment of its national dream: control over territory on its border with Austria-Hungary
stretching from Trentino through the South Tyrol to Trieste. In the treaty, the Allies gave them that and more,
including parts of Dalmatia and numerous islands along Austria-Hungary's Adriatic coast; the Albanian port city of
Vlore (Italian: Valona) and a central protectorate in Albania; and territory from the Ottoman Empire. Carrying out
its part of the bargain, Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary (but not on Germany) on May 23.”
Source: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-sign-treaty-of-london
Document B: The cost of victory
“Italy won the war, therefore, but at a huge cost: some 600,000 dead, 950,000 wounded, and a legacy of
bitterness and division. The victorious patriots and nationalists now detested parliament, where the [former
Italian Primer Giovanni] Giolittian majority had never supported the war, although they defended the idea of the
nation and the war record of the Italian army. Many workers, peasants, Socialists, and trade unionists were
disgusted by the costs of the conflict and were inspired by the revolutions in Russia and Germany. Returning
veterans expected the land that they had been promised in 1917–18. The Italian flag became a powerful focus of
division and hatred. War memorials were contested all over the peninsula. These divisions greatly weakened the
postwar political regime and fractured elements of society.
Furthermore, the pro-war groups were themselves bitterly divided when the war ended. Should Italy, at the Paris
Peace Conference (1919–20), try to secure the terms of the Treaty of London, as Foreign Minister Sonnino urged,
or should it support U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and adhere to the “principle of nationality”—that is, be
willing to accept less territory in the Adriatic region, as the Left Liberals and Republicans advocated? “
Source: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/297474/Italy/27757/World-War-I-and-fascism
16
Treaty of Versailles
On this Day of June 28, 1919, the nations of the United States, Great Britain, France, and Italy proclaim
that….
I. War Guilt Clause
____________________________________ is responsible for unleashing the terrible forces of “the war
to end all wars” because
___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
II. Territorial Changes
The Allied Powers have decided that the following German lands are to be conceded to the following
powers:
France Shall receive ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The United States Shall receive __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Great Britain Shall receive ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Italy Shall receive ____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
III. Polish Question
On the question of the creation of a Polish State in the Eastern lands of Germany, The Allied Powers have
decreed that _______________________________________________ because ________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
IV. The League of Nations
The Allied Powers have ____________________________ President Woodrow Wilson’s idea for the
creation of a League of Nations because ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Treaty of Versailles Summary
The Treaty of Versailles is the peace treaty at the end of World War I, signed on June 28, 1919, by Germany and by
the Allied and Associated Powers. In addition to ending the war with Germany, it also established the League of
Nations. The peace conference met in Paris, but the treaty was signed in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. Separate
treaties were made with Germany's allies: the Treaty of Saint-Germain with Austria, the Treaty of Trianon with
Hungary, the Treaty of Neuilly with Bulgaria, and the Treaty of Sèvres with Turkey.
The war ended on November 11, 1918, with an armistice based on President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points.
The peace conference met on January 8, 1919, with 32 countries represented but with Germany excluded. The
major role was taken by the "Big Four": President Wilson, Prime Minister David Lloyd George of Great Britain,
Premier Georges Clemenceau of France, and Premier Vittorio Orlando of Italy.
The United States Senate rejected the treaty, partly because of objections to the section that established the
League of Nations. The other nations ratified the treaty, and it went into effect on January 10, 1920. The United
States signed a separate treaty with Germany in 1921.
The Germans denounced the Versailles Treaty as wicked and unjust, and the Nazi party's pledge to repudiate it
helped Adolf Hitler come to power in 1933. Hitler ignored the treaty's restrictions on rearmament and soon built
Germany into the strongest military power in the world.
Terms of the Treaty
The treaty had 15 parts. Part I was the Covenant (constitution) of the League of Nations. Provision was made for
the Permanent Court of International Justice. Part XIII created the International Labor Organization. The other
parts dealt with the boundaries of Germany, the establishment of new countries in Europe, war reparations, and
other matters.
German Loss of Territory
Germany ceded Alsace-Lorraine to France, the Eupen and Malmèdy districts to Belgium, West Prussia and most
of Posen province to Poland, and a district in Silesia to Czechoslovakia. The treaty provided for plebiscites in
Schleswig and Upper Silesia. After the voting, northern Schleswig went to Denmark and southern Schleswig
remained in Germany. In Upper Silesia the majority voted in favor of Germany; the Allies then divided the territory
between Poland and Germany.
The treaty placed the Saar Basin under League of Nations control for 15 years and turned the coal mines over to
France. ( German Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland) became a free city under the League. Germany gave up the Memel
district to the Allies, and it was later given to Lithuania.
Germany lost about 25,000 square miles (65,000 km 2 ) of territory, including areas with some of its richest
mineral resources. In the east a strip of Polish land, the "Polish Corridor," separated East Prussia from the rest
of Germany.
Germany surrendered its colonies, and they all became mandated territories under League of Nations
supervision. German East Africa (now part of Tanzania) went to Great Britain, Urundi and Ruanda to Belgium,
and South-West Africa (Namibia) to South Africa. Kamerun (Cameroon) and Togoland were divided between
Great Britain and France. German New Guinea was awarded to Australia, German Samoa to New Zealand, Nauru
Island to Great Britain and the German Pacific islands north of the Equator to Japan. German rights in Shantung
province, China, were granted to Japan.
Other Penalties On Germany
The German army was restricted to 100,000 officers and men and the navy to a few small ships; air forces were
forbidden. Allied troops were to occupy the west bank of the Rhine for 15 years. East of the Rhine, German
fortifications were forbidden within 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) of the river. The treaty provided that Kaiser
18
William II should be tried as a war criminal. But the former emperor had fled to the Netherlands, and the Dutch
government refused to turn him over to the Allies.
Under the famous "war guilt" clause, Germany was compelled to accept responsibility for all the loss and
damage caused by the war and to pay reparations for damages done to civilians. Germany made their final
reparations payment in 2010.