In 1919, after the World War I ended, leaders of victorious countries met at Versailles, Paris and opened a peace conference. The main leaders were Georges Clemenceau who presented France, Woodrow Wilson president of the United States, and David Lloyd George, Prime Minister of Great Britain. There were other Allies, Italy, Japan and Rumania. Russia did not attend because it was locked in civil war. The negotiations were difficult and often bitter, but the Allies reached a compromise agreement and imposed it on Germany.
Earlier in 1918 Wilson proposed a creation of the League of Nations, where he believed that only international organization could protect countries from aggression and future wars. Lloyd George and Clemenceau were very unenthusiastic about the Wilson's idea and were only concerned with punishing Germany. Eventually the League of Nations was accepted by France and England but Senate of the United States refused to ratify Wilson's treaties.
Based on the League of Nations, the Treaty of Versailles between the Allies and Germany was created, which seemed unjustly punitive. By the terms of the treaty, German colonies were giving to France, Britain, and Japan. Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France and part of Germany was giving to a new state, Poland. There were limitations on the German military to 100,000 men. The guilt clause was created and they had to pay respirations of 27 billion. German government protested but there were no alternatives. Separate peace treaties were created for the other defeated powers, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey. At the same time, France signed a defense pact with Poland against Germany.
During this time in Russia, the Bolsheviks had won the civil war. They overthrew Czar Nicholas and established a Communist government in Russia. Lenin who became the leader had set up a dictatorship that firmly controlled the country. The Bolsheviks called themselves "Reds" and anyone who was opponent of the Bolsheviks... [continues]
Earlier in 1918 Wilson proposed a creation of the League of Nations, where he believed that only international organization could protect countries from aggression and future wars. Lloyd George and Clemenceau were very unenthusiastic about the Wilson's idea and were only concerned with punishing Germany. Eventually the League of Nations was accepted by France and England but Senate of the United States refused to ratify Wilson's treaties.
Based on the League of Nations, the Treaty of Versailles between the Allies and Germany was created, which seemed unjustly punitive. By the terms of the treaty, German colonies were giving to France, Britain, and Japan. Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France and part of Germany was giving to a new state, Poland. There were limitations on the German military to 100,000 men. The guilt clause was created and they had to pay respirations of 27 billion. German government protested but there were no alternatives. Separate peace treaties were created for the other defeated powers, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey. At the same time, France signed a defense pact with Poland against Germany.
During this time in Russia, the Bolsheviks had won the civil war. They overthrew Czar Nicholas and established a Communist government in Russia. Lenin who became the leader had set up a dictatorship that firmly controlled the country. The Bolsheviks called themselves "Reds" and anyone who was opponent of the Bolsheviks... [continues]
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