Clemenceau, Lloyd-George, and Wilson at the Paris Peace Conference

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Clemenceau, Lloyd-George, and Wilson at the Paris Peace Conference In 1919 at the end of WW1, 32 nations met in Paris, including the leaders of France, Britain and USA; Clemenceau, Lloyd-George and Woodrow Wilson. Each of these three countries was determined to present the interests' of their nations at the Peace Conference. "The victors wished to secure a permanent peace based on reconciliation with their foes, but at the same time they wished to punish those guilty of causing the war."[1] Georges Clemenceau only desired revenge and a punitive peace with Germany. The French government was determined to force Germany to pay back war reparations; for the money borrowed, the reconstruction of France, and the losses incurred due to the war. Clemenceau also wanted Germany to take full responsibility for the war, thus humiliating her and making her liable for full reparation claims. After WW1, France wished to take advantage of Germany's weak state to boost her own power. Clemenceau demanded to reduce Germany's manufacturing, coal, and iron industry, by pledging to take Alsace-Lorraine, the Rhineland, Upper Silesia and East Prussia. "For Clemenceau, victory had given Francea short term advantage, which she should exploit before Germany's larger population and greater economic strength reasserted itself."[2] Other than financial gain, Clemenceau understood the possibility of military threat from Germany emerging in the future. He believed the only way to maintain peace was to rearm; and disable Germany so it would be unable to attack. Clemenceau also aimed to establish a protective barrier between itself and Germany, and wante... ... middle of paper ... ...nomic and military sanctions, the League of Nations intended to protect collective security. A new level of open and democratic international relations would be established, with social, political and economic problems being thoroughly dealt with. --------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] Rayner, E.G. (1992) The Great Dictators: International Relations 1918-39 London: Hodder & Stoughton [2] O'Brien, C. & Merritt, A. (1996) 1914.1918 The World at war Australia: Heinemann Educational Australia [3] [4] [5] [6] Taylor, A.J.P. (1988) History of World War 1 Spain: Black Cat [7] [8] http://www.nps.gov/elro/glossary/wilson-woodrow.htm [9] Evans, D. (1984) Europein Modern Times 1900-1975 London: Edward Arnold [10] McDonough, F. [11] [12]

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