The positions of the Big Three at the Treaty of Versailles-1918-1919. By Faraz Jamil 9.1
The members of the Big Three.
Prime Minister Lloyd George, Britain.
Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau; France
President Woodrow Wilson; the USA.
He was a genius scholar from a well respected American family and studied at John Hopkins university.
What the people of his nation want him to achieve.
His aims for the outcome of The Treaty of Versailles.
He wanted America to be a catalyst in the world for peace and prosperity; and thus a lenient peace treaty that punished Germany but did not debase them as a nation. Therefore he opposed Article 231- The War Guilt Clause- that blamed Germany for WW1.
He wanted to end all war as a whole; this would be achieved by the aims he set out in January 1918 in his ' Fourteen Points.' They were a mixture of principles to be aimed for and practical procedures which included: open diplomacy, freedom of seas, removal of economic barriers, such as sanctions, from countries, disarmament to reduce the chance of future war, self-determination so people of colonies have a say in how their governments operate.
A League of Nations based around his principles to promote world peace.
The people of America have been mortified by the sheer number of casualties in WW1 and want nothing more than to be free of Europe's problems.
Disagreements with other members of the Big Three
Views Lloyd George as being too focused on benefitting Britain rather than the world and the two disputed over the self-determination clause of his Fourteen Points. This was as the clause undermined Britain's imperial influence as their power of colonies would decline if they agreed to this.
Believes Clemenceau is too determined to destroy Germany and cripple them. Therefore, the two disagreed over Wilson's proposal for a peace treaty that was not too cruel to Germany as France wanted utter and pure revenge on them for a long rivalry which materialised after the Franco-Prussian war of the 1870s.
He was a Welsh boy born in poverty who rose to a high position due to his talents in law and persuasion. He had a reputation for being sly at times.
What the people of his nation want him to achieve.
He was under immense pressure from the people of Britain to create a peace treaty that obliterates Germany. For example, the public was saying things like, ' Squeeze Germany like a lemon.' The simile like a lemon conveys how the public wanted him to drain Germany of their power.
His aspirations for the Treaty's outcome.
Disputes with other members of the Big Three
Land for the British empire- he will willingly take Germany's colonies.
A treaty that punishes Germany to pleases the vengeful British public but leaves Germany able to trade with Britain.
Long lasting peace in Europe so Britain could rebuild its trade.
He is irritated at Wilson for suggesting Britain should give up its overseas colonies.
Clemenceau has tried to physically hit him, showing a tumultuous relationship between the two. This was likely due to Lloyd George wanting to leave Germany able to trade as this would give Germany the chance to re-develop its armed forces and thus become a threat to France.
To safeguard Britain's naval supremacy.
He was a journalist and politician since the 1870s and studied at the unversity of Nantes.
What the people of his nation want to see happen after the treaty
France to be safeguarded from german attacks and the German military to be disbanded and Germany to be disabled as a nation so they could never be a threat again.
His targets for the treaty
To return Alsace-Lorraine to France- the province was lost in the Franco-Prussian war of the 1870s to Germany.
No League of Nations.
He wants to severely punish Germany.
To make Germany pay vast reparations for damaged caused to France in WW1.
To utterly cripple Germany to prevent them posing a threat to France in the future.
Independence of Rhineland.
To strike revenge on Germany- their long lasting rivalry.
Arguments with other of the Big Three's members.
Believes Wilson is too optimistic and unrealistic. Clemenceau thinks he does not truly care about France.
He gives little credence to Lloyd George.
Mark 10/10