Topic One (1.1): What were the motives and aims of the Big Three at Versailles?

Introduction

One of the ‘specified content’ focus points is ‘The roles of Wilson, Clemenceau, and Lloyd George in the peace-making process’. Therefore, it is essential that you have a secure knowledge on these key figures.

Vittorio Orlando, the prime minister of Italy was also heavily involved in the initial discussions, and Italy expected to make lots of gains. When they didn’t, Orlando walked out of the meeting in disgust!

Listen to this great podcast from the Historical Association.

LISTEN – The Paris Peace Conference (Historical Association) Links to an external site.

For the time being, just listen to it without taking notes. You can return to this later.

 Tasks

  • Before you start anything, recap on the causes of WW1. This will be especially important if you have not studied WW1 before.

WATCH – How Did WW1 start? (YouTube) Links to an external site.

  • It is also important to familiarise yourself with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. This was a treaty signed between Russia and Germany when Russia wanted to leave the war in March 1918. Summarise the key points of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk using the following History Learning site link.

EXPLORE – Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (History Learning Site) Links to an external site.

  • You might want to start here by studying this satirical cartoon about the Treaty of Versailles, The Reckoning, on page 4 of your coursebook. Discuss with you observer what you think this cartoon means and whether the cartoonist is supporting Germany or whether they are mocking Germany. Record your ideas as we will return to this later.
  • The first figure we will looking at is Woodrow Wilson. Carefully read pages 6-7 in your coursebook. Complete a mind map of his key ideas.
  • It is important to note that Wilson was a little bit of an idealist. This is mainly because the USA did not suffer heavy casualties like France, Britain, and her colonies. The USA also did not have whole towns and cities destroyed like Belgium and France and so Wilson could not truly understand the anger felt by the likes of the French population, especially when the USA only joined in 1917!
  • It is expected that you should know at least four of The Fourteen Points in detail. Aim to choose six of The Fourteen Points and create a revision tool for them. You might want to use some Dual Coding to support your learning here. This means adding small illustrations to support your retrieval practice. The second part of the HA podcast on Wilson actually discusses the most important elements of The Fourteen Points.

LISTEN – The Paris Peace Conference (Historical Association) Links to an external site.

  • Next, discuss the source analysis task on page 7 with your observer. What does it suggest about the importance of Wilson’s role in the negotiations?
  • Now, start the process of completing Focus Task 1.1 on page 6 of your coursebook. You will now be able to complete the ‘Wilson’ section. We recommend completing this data capture on a computer so that you can neatly add to your ideas as you go along. 
  • It is now time to move onto Lloyd George. Some historians argue that Lloyd George was ‘in the middle’ of Clemenceau and Wilson. For example, while Clemenceau wanted the Saarland territory taken from Germany and given to France and Wilson wanted to Saarland to remain part of Germany, Llyod George attempted a compromise that the people in the Saarland could choose what country they wanted to be part of in a Plebiscite (a vote), 15 years later. Lloyd George liked to suggest plebiscites as a way of compromise.
  • Carefully read page 8-9 in your coursebook and aim to mind map Llyod George’s key aims. Did he have the same aims as the British public?
  • Next, using these key aims and any additional information from the previous podcast, fill in your data capture from Focus Task 1.1 on page 6.

Here it is again.

LISTEN – The Paris Peace Conference (Historical Association) Links to an external site.

  • Lastly, it is time to look at Clemenceau, who was nicknamed the Tiger at the time for his ferocious manner! Clemenceau had not only witnessed German destruction of the French Western Front during WW1; he also witnessed the German invasion of France in 1870, where the German’s forced the French to sign a humiliating treaty (and took away Alsace Lorraine from France). It is clear that Clemenceau wanted revenge on Germany and the Treaty of Versailles was his chance to ensure this!
  • Read page 9 on Clemenceau and again, mind map his key aims. You can now complete his row for Focus Task 1.1.

Additional Resources

  • Watch this overview video on the Big Three and make sure you have all the key points included in your notes. 

WATCH – The Treaty of Versailles (YouTube) Links to an external site.

  • Go to John D Clare’s history site where you can find some extra notes on the aims of the victors. Is there anything you might add to your data capture? 

EXPLORE – The Aims of the big three (JohnDClare) Links to an external site.

Explore and Extend for that A*/Grade 9

  • Complete the Source Analysis Task on page 8. Remember to use quotations to support your ideas of similarity and differences.
  • You might like to complete the Think! Task on page 9 and share these ideas with your observer or read out your speech to others to practice another form of revision.

Mr Allsop has a wealth of extra resources to supplement your notes. Have a look. 

EXPLORE – The Big Three at the Paris Peace Conference (Mr Allsop History) Links to an external site.

Review

  • Complete the ‘Who said what about Whom’ Activity on page 11.
  • Make sure that you are certain on the aims and motives of the different leaders by reviewing your data capture.
  • Make sure you have some good fingertip knowledge of The Fourteen Points.
  • Can you explain why plebiscites were encouraged by Lloyd George?