Although World War One was over, the amount of human, financial and political loss was staggering. Millions died, thousands more wounded, and in addition a deadly epidemic of influenza was sweeping the world.
Human Costs
Political Costs
Financial Costs
More than 8.5 million dead
More than 17 million wounded
Famine
Disease
Collapse of governments
Unrest in colonies
Rising threat of communism
War loans to repay
Factories, farms, homes, and roads destroyed
German reparations
Loss of economic and industrial power in Great Britain
British
942,135
France
1,368,000
Russia
1,700,000
Germany
1,935,000
Austria
1,200,000
Woodrow Wilson, Prime Minister David Llyod George, and French Leader Georges Clemenceau meet in Paris France on Jan 12th 1919, the Paris conference was open. Each of these three men had there own goals, Wilson stressed self-determination while Britain and France wanted to blame Germany. By June 1919 they had drawn up the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles blamed Germany for World War 1, it gave them 30 billion in reparations, give up colonies, and cut back military forces. The treaty also created new nations in what was once Russia, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. The Treaty set up the League of Nations as well.
Reparations � payment for war damages
Self-determination � people chose there own government
League of Nations � The League of Nations was a group of 40 countries that hoped to stop future wars before they started. Although the League of Nations was Wilson�s plan the United States never joined the League of Nations. The main reason was Isolationism or keeping out of foreign affairs. Also the fact that the endeavors might cause further U.S. economic expenses or military causalities.
Why do you think Britain and France were concerned with punishing Germany?
Both countries wanted to send a lasting message to Germany; they wanted to make sure that the Germans would not be a future threat in Europe. Ironically the extreme punishment only encouraged future German aggression.
Which financial cost applied only to Germany?
German Reparations
Who had the most causalities?
Germany