Key details about the T of V.

1. T H E T R E AT Y O F
n VERSAILLES
io
is
v
e
R
s
Revisi on Tip
As part of your revision, think
about the arguments and facts
you would use to explain:
Why did the big three
disagree at the conference?
T H E K E Y = B .R .A .T
Why did the Germans claim
that the peace treaty was
unfair?
What were the motives
and aims of the big three
at Versailles?
GERMAN
FRUSTRATIONS
The Germans were shown the
proposed Treaty of Versailles.
There was no negotiation. The
Germans published a rebuttal,
arguing that the treaty was unfair,
but they were ignored. On 28 June
1919, the delegates met at the Hall
of Mirrors in the Palace of
Versailles, near Paris, and forced
two Germans to sign the treaty.

2. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 June 1919 and consisted
of 440 Articles setting out the terms for Germany's punishment.
The treaty was greeted with shock and disbelief in Germany.
Answer preparation
As part of your revision, think
about the arguments and facts
you would use to explain:
1. What the Treaty of Versailles
said.
2. What the territorial, military
and financial provisions of the
Treaty of Versailles were.
3. What the Germans thought of
the treaty.
4. Why the provisions of the
Treaty of Versailles made the
Germans so angry.

3. r eact ion s to the lea gu e
on s
Ex am Questi
The following are some
questions that have appeared
in previous exam questions.
You could practice them at
home (see the next pages for
the mark schemes and tips)
What were Lloyd George’s
aims at Versailles? (4)
Explain why Clemenceau
wanted the Treaty of
Versailles to punish Germany
severely. (5)
Study Source A.
What is the message of this
cartoon? Use details of the
cartoon and your knowledge
to explain your answer. (6)
"We shall have The following were all equally
important reasons why
to fight Germany was dissatisfied with
the Treaty:
another war (i) the reduction in armed
forces;
(ii) the loss of territory;
again in 25 (iii) the imposing of war guilt
and reparations.
years time." How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your
answer referring only to (i), (ii)
and (iii). (10)
David Lloyd George

4. Study Source A.
What is the message of this cartoon? Use details of the cartoon and your
knowledge to explain your answer. (6)
Level 1 Uses surface features of cartoon only 1-2
e.g. ‘The Allied leaders have been meeting at the Peace Conference.’
‘A little boy is upset.’
Level 2 Interpretation only 2-3
e.g. ‘There will be another war in the future.’
‘Peace will not last.’
‘What has been decided at the Conference will not work.’
Level 3 Interpretation supported by details of the cartoon OR by contextual
knowledge 4-5
e.g. ‘The cartoon shows the ‘Big Four’ leaving the peace conference. Clemenceau
says
he can hear a child weeping. The child is behind a pillar and over whose head are the
words ‘1940 class’. The cartoon is saying that the child is one who will be of military
age in 1940. The caption adds the child is ‘future cannon fodder’ implying the peace
will not last beyond 1940.’
OR
e.g. ‘The cartoon is saying many at the time thought that the terms decided at the
peace conference were too severe on Germany and that they were storing up trouble
for the future. It was a ‘diktat’, making Germany responsible for the war and for which
they had to pay reparations. This approach would make them want to take revenge on
the allies in the near future.’
Level 4 Interpretation supported by details of the cartoon AND by contextual
knowledge 6
Explain why Clemenceau wanted the Treaty of Versailles to punish Germany severely. (6)
Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge 1
e.g. ‘To make them suffer.’
Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes why 2-3
(One mark for each)
e.g. ‘To gain revenge on Germany for French suffering.’
‘To make Germany pay the cost of the damage.’
‘To prevent future German attacks on France.’
‘To regain Alsace-Lorraine.’
Level 3 Explains why 3-6
(One explained reason 3-4 marks; two or more explained reasons 4-6 marks.)
e.g. ‘Germany had left much of north-east France devastated and Clemenceau wanted to
ensure that this did not happen again.’
‘When retreating, Germany had deliberately destroyed mines railways and factories. The
French expected Germany to pay for this destruction.’
‘Clemenceau wanted the German military to be disbanded so as to prevent future invasions.’

5. What were Lloyd George’s aims at Versailles? (4)
One mark for each relevant aim; additional mark for supporting detail.
e.g. ‘Lloyd George wanted to achieve peace.’
‘To ensure France did not become to powerful.’
‘To ensure British interests overseas were protected.’
’To prevent Germany becoming too weak to trade with Britain.’
‘To prevent Germany becoming so poor it turned to communism.’
‘To avoid humiliating the Germans to avoid them wanting revenge.’
The following were all equally important reasons why Germany was dissatisfied with the Treaty:
(i) the reduction in armed forces;
(ii) the loss of territory;
(iii) the imposing of war guilt and reparations.
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer referring only to (i), (ii) and (iii).
Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge 1-2
e.g. ‘They are all equally important as they all affected Germany and its people in some
way.’
Level 2 Description of reasons for dissatisfaction 2-4
(One mark for each)
e.g. ‘The army was limited to 100,000 men and conscription was not allowed.’
‘Germany lost all their colonies, the Saar and the Polish corridor. Alsace-Lorraine was
returned to France.’
‘Germany had to accept blame for the war and to pay for the damage.’
Level 3 Explanation of ONE reason 4-6
(Developed explanation to be given two marks within L3 and L4)
e.g. ‘The treaty restricted Germany’s armed forces to a level well below what they had
been before the war. As they could only have six battleships and no air force it left them
vulnerable to attack. The army had been their pride and joy and they could no longer use
conscription to maintain its status.’
OR
‘The loss of land meant that many Germans were no longer living in Germany despite the
promise of self-determination in the Fourteen points. The loss of land also included some
of Germany’s important industrial areas such as the Saar and Upper Silesia. The loss of
these industrial areas made it harder for Germany to recover after the war.’
OR
‘This clause was simple but was seen by Germans as extremely harsh. The Treaty was a
‘Diktat’ and Germany had no choice but to accept. This was humiliating as they believed
other countries were equally responsible. Germany claimed the high reparations were an
attempt to bankrupt them and again they had no choice but accept. The need for revenge
built up.’
Level 4 Explanation of two OR three reasons 6-9
All three aspects to be dealt with for 9 marks.
Level 5 Explains with evaluation of ‘equally important’ 9-10
Here candidates must make comparison with full explanation. All three must have been explained to reach
this level.