In-depth notes about the international option for CIE AS LEVEL history . This contains Unit 2 only about the League of Nations and International Relations in the 1920s. Contains key dates, perspectives and significance of events
PAPER TWO: ESSAY PAPER
1919: the world war had ended and the Treaty of Versailles had aimed to properly
punish and reprimand the Triple Alliance’s Germany and its actions in the war
Kiel Mutiny: a revolution caused by German ship sailors who didn’t want to follow
commandments of German generals to attack British naval troops. It sparked in
Germany and caused a revolution which established the abdication of Kaisar Wilheim
and allowed for groups of politicians to establish governments. The result was the
unification of the Weimar Republic
Reasons for the fast action for the treaty:
1- Fear of delay: communism would increase as the poor would move towards following
the Russian revolution-> Bolsheviks
2- Wanting powers union: Italy, France, Britain, USA
3- Didn’t have a strong army: to re-enter the war after the Armistice to defeat Germany
and force them to sign the treaty
All the four allied countries (F,B,USA,I) agreed that Germany should pay reparations for
war, be punished for war and be prevented from beginning another world war
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk set by Germany for Russia was set as the baseline for the
TOV: Russia had lost 25% of it’s population compared to the 10% loss in Germany from TOV
However, each power had differences in the approaches about how Germany should be
dealt with
German territories Arms Reparations Guilt Clause League of
Nations
UK The UK wanted Germany to Wanted to reduce the The UK agreed with The British public
lose its colonies as they German navy to the principle of demanded for
threatened the British empire, remove any threat on reparations to repay LLoyd George to
as a point of personal interest Britain’s naval winning countries for ‘squeeze
superiority their economic Germany like a
losses but wanted to lemon’ and the
keep them as low as public demanded
possible to help the for a harsh treaty
German economy that would blame
recover for trade Germany for war
France Wanted Germany to be Agreed entirely with Wanted Germany to Clemenceau and “How come Wilson
broken up into several states the decrease of arms pay higher France were needs 14
to reduce their influence and and banning of reparations as biased due to commandments
power. Clemenceau wanted conscription as a way compensation for resentment of two when God almighty
Alsace-Lorraine back from the to maintain French war damage and to previous losses, only needs 10”
Franco-Prussian war of 1871 security against pay off US warloans. could be
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and wanted an independent possible German Was also used as a interpreted that
Rhineland to secure the threats. Also enjoyed way to keep they enjoyed the
safety of France against the demilitarisation of Germany weak blame being
potential war from Germany the Rhineland as it placed upon
protected France from Germany
border threats
USA Wanted to focus on The USA wanted The LON was
rebuilding Europe’s a “fair and just brought up by
post war economies peace” and WW Woodrow Wilson
to prevent poverty, believed that if the who believed it
possibly opposed by treaty was too would be a peace
Britain and France harsh on blame, it negotiator and bod
as the USA hadn’t would eventually for all countries to
lost economically cause bitterness prevent disputes.
from the war for another war Focused heavily on
compared to the self-determination
other Big 3 of successor states
which caused
tension with the
other powers.
However, the USA
rejected the
implementation of
the LON which
could be reason for
it’s failure as the
USA was unable to
uphold the LON
France (Clemenceau): had lost enormous amounts of money, land and soldiers and
wanted Germany to be as weak as possible. Almost ⅔ of the French army were either
killed or wounded during the war. They wanted to continue their alliance with Britain and
the USA for global strength, wanted compensation and wanted Germany to be
separated into several smaller states to remain weak. Wanted the Rhineland to be
separated into another country controlled by the allies but B+USA disagreed. “Germany
should renounce its existence”. Clemenceau viewed Wilson negatively and believed
that the USA shouldn’t have been part of the negotiations as they hadn’t suffered and
that he was being too lenient, “How come Wilson needs 14 commandments when God
almighty only needs 10”. Clemenceau even wanted for the Rhineland to be an
independent state
Britain (Lloyd George): wanted to maintain the balance of power in Europe and to
keep their international empire and feared Communism and Bolshevik in Germany.
Britain wanted Germany to recover economically to purchase British goods but didn’t
want full economic recovery for Germany in order for it not to be a commercial
competitor. They feared power heavily increasing in France and felt as though
, POSTED BY: Khadija Awad
Clemenceau and Wilson had extremely opposing ideas that couldn’t have been
compromised. “It's like sitting between Napoleon and Jesus Christ”
Lloyd George was pressured by the British public to make Germany pay as the public
didn’t sympathise with Germany and had 1 million casualties from the war, “Squeeze
Germany like a lemon”
USA (Woodrow Wilson): focused on free trade and wanted Germany to recover
economically to prevent poverty and another war. Aimed for the LON to be the
peacekeeper and guarantee of security for France and the world. Wanted a ‘fair peace’
and said “A treaty based on just, not bitterness” “Fair and lasting peace”
Germany: had expected negotiations to occur based on the 14 points speech in
January 1918, which was the main reason the armistice was signed in November 1918.
They also felt they would be compensated for the naval blockade in the Baltic sea. Had
underestimated the hatred felt by the French for the loss of the Alsace Lorraine in the
Franco-Prussian war of 1871
● The German delegation had been taken by train through the most exhausting
areas in France because of war-> used as a manipulation tactic to show the
destruction caused by ‘German’ war
What problems confronted the Big Three:
Public opinions towards the Big Three: with voters putting pressure on leaders,
American’s wanted to return to isolationism, British public wanted to ‘squeeze
Germany like a lemon’
New republics, democracies and Communist states: Russian revolution,
abdication of German Kaizar, formation of Yugoslavia
Rushed decisions and promise to Japan and Italy: felt the need to abide by
promises
Changed balance of power: USA became a major global power due to loans
towards Europe from the USA
The Treaty of Versailles:
Section One: focused on setting up the League of Nations and the structure and role of
the LON when resolving war
TOV: GARGLE (German territories, army, reparations, guilt clause, league of nations)
- Germany lost 13% of its land and 10% of its population
- Anchluss was forbidden between the Hapsburg empire and Germany
- The Saarland was given to the LON for 15 years
- Polish corridor and Upper Silesia were given to Poland
- Lost international colonies to Britain, France and Japan
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