History Essay on The Paris Peace Conference

Wilson, Lloyd George and Clemenceau were instrumental in the outcome of the Paris Peace Conference, lasting 18 Jan 1919 – 21 Jan 1920. Each leader had his own opinions, as to the punishments made on Germany and the method, they would use to prevent the outbreak of another war. They also had their own ideologies and beliefs as to what their core values were, and what to prioritise and how they would eliminate the chances of Germany striking again. 

Woodrow Wilson was known for his advocacy for global peace, and a 1qcountries democratic progression. However, he left a rather mixed legacy after the First World War. Wilson graduated Princeton University in 1879 and went on to attend law school in the University of Virginia. During 1901 and 1910, Wilson was the president of Princeton. During this and Practical Policies (1889). This suggests Wilson’s early interest in American political and constitutional problems (Britannica, 2020). The presidency offered Wilson a chance to properly implement his new notions for government (Cooper 1998). 

During the outbreak of WW1, almost no one questioned America’s neutral opinions. But the British blockade of naval trade and the German U-boat attacks soon made the neutrality regretful (The National WW1 Museum and Memorial n.d.). Wilson later declared American entrance into the war was a crusade to make the world safe for democracy (White House n.d.). Wilson had hopes to be able to maintain a relationship with Germany as a stable trading partner, but also didn’t want them to go unpunished. Wilson was passionate about the League of Nations as he believed it was the solution to ending the war entirely (Cooper 2001). Wilson feared that the European powers would reconsider making the League of Nations due to the Allies Victory. So, Wilson decided to use the American influence and get the major powers to his side so the others would follow (Ginneken 2009). However, America never ended up joining the League of Nations because the US Congress decided America would suffer greatly affected being sucked into another European War (Why didn’t America join…). Overall, Wilson’s approach to the Paris Peace Talks was fuelled on his intention to maintain positive relationships with the European countries, and keep world peace.

David Llyod George was the British Chancellor of the Exchequer during H H Asquith’s pre-war liberal government. In May 1915, following the establishment of the union government, Lloyd George was appointed head of the newly created Ministry of Munitions. His enterprise on the importance of good labour relations eventually lead to hugely improved weapons production (iwm n.d.). This shows George’s influence in the outcome of the War early on, particularly in the production and use of military weapons. This also highlights the high levels of trust the PM had on Lloyd George.  One of Lloyd George’s most notable efforts throughout the war was his combating the submarine menace, which in 1917 threatened to starve Britain into submission. He had achieved this by forcing the implementation of the convoy system upon a hesitant Admiralty.  

Lloyd George went to the Paris Peace Conference, prepared to accept a compromised peace, despite the rest of the country wanting to see Germany pay (Britannica 2020). The British PM was in favour of hanging the Kaiser and punishing Germany for starting the war. He also wanted to disarm Germany and weaken its navy to prevent any future threats to Britain. On top of this Lloyd George believed that Germany should pay reparations for the damages caused by the war, and wanted to split German colonies and divide them amongst the Allies. This shows Lloyd George and Clemenceau’s shared opinions on the German’s punishment. George saw the Bolsheviks as a threat and wanted to improve the defences of Eastern Europe. In light of this the PM wanted to maintain Germany as a stable trading partner in attempt to keep this threat from rising (Britannica 2020). The British attitude is similar to America in the sense of wanting to maintain trading relationships with Germany. This also shows how George influenced the PM’s decisions as to what Germany would have do to compensate for the War. Overall, Lloyd George’s approach to the Paris Peace Talks was fuelled by his intentions of wanting to punish Germany, but still keep it as a trading partner. 

While his country was embroiled in international conflict, on November 15th of 1917 Georges Clemenceau was elected as PM of France for a second time. Clemenceau was elected as PM in the middle of the War, so this shows France’s political instability at the time. After the Franco-Prussian War Clemenceau viewed the newly united Germany as a menace and felt that another War was inevitable. Throughout the course of the war Clemenceau lead France through its darkest hours and eventually into the light again. This made Clemenceau a beacon of hope for the French Citizens, as he was able to lead them through the war despite all the destruction. When Germany agreed to an armistice Clemenceau was furious, he couldn’t finish his enemy off (History.com 2020). While at the Paris Peace Conference Clemenceau like many French citizens, wanted to see the destruction of Germany so it could never attack France again.  

Clemenceau also plainly pointed out his scepticism for Wilsons’s beliefs in the future of Europe. He also thought George had “watered down” many of the German’s rightful punishments (Trueman 2015).  This shows Clemenceau’s paranoia around Germany attacking again, and that the other countries didn’t understand. At the end of the Peace Conference the French believed the Germans were taken off lightly and disagreed with many of the points made later in the Treaty of Versailles. Overall, Clemenceau’s approach to the Paris Peace Conference was purely fuelled by his intentions of wanting to end Germany politically and socially. This was done in national interest, for France.

All three political leaders wanted to see Germany pay for the atrocities of the First World War. While Britain and America still wanted to maintain trading relationships with Germany for their own benefits. France wanted to see the end of Germany so it could never attack them again. Woodrow Wilson had the most positive approach to the Paris Peace talks because of his peace advocacy, and his interest in European welfare. He also tried to maintain relationship with Germany rather than cutting them off completely, for the sake of America.