1. Was the Versailles Peace Agreement fair?

6. Cost of war. Source D More than 65 million men fought in the First World War; over eight million of them were killed. In addition, nearly nine million civilians died - from starvation, disease, artillery fire and air raids. Twelve million tons of shipping were sunk. In France and Belgium, where most of the war was fought, 300,000 houses, 6,000 factories, 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) of railway, 2,000 breweries and 112 coal mines were destroyed. The human cost of the war - in terms of damaged minds and bodies, and ruined lives – was beyond calculation. In some ways, mankind has never recovered from the horrors of the First World War. Backgroun Info: Making Peace? In November 1918, Germany had signed a cease-fire. It was called ‘the Armistice ’. The Germans could not fight any longer. But they did not think they had surrendered! In January 1919, delegates from 32 countries met at Versailles , near Paris, to make treaties to end the war. The meeting was known as the Versailles Conference . Unlike other treaties in history, the Treaty of Versailles was not negotiated between Germany and the Allies. Only the Allies were invited to the Conference - and they believed they had won! They imposed their terms upon Germany. Source A America is far away, protected by the ocean. Not even Napoleon himself could touch England. You are both sheltered; we are not. Clemenceau summed up his attitude: 'There are 20 million Germans too many!' Georges Clemenceau, Source B Wilson believed that punishing Germany would only make Germany want revenge. He suggested Fourteen Points which he felt would bring world peace. He wanted countries such as Poland, a neighbour of Germany, to become independent. He wanted France to feel safe against German attack. Wilson also wanted to set up a League of Nations Source C We want a peace which will be just, but not vindictive... Above all, we want to protect the future against a repetition of the horrors of this war. Lloyd George speaking. (1919) Versailles Peace Treaty. Germany had to accept the blame for starting WW 1. Germany’s army was cut and they were not allowed to have a navy or Air force. Reparations – Germany was forced to pay a massive bill for the war. This was compensation to be given to France and Britain etc. This was crushed Germany economically. Germany was stripped of all its territories and overseas colonies.