Top 10 facts about the Treaty of Versailles


 

It’s hard to image what life was like in Europe during the First World War. Millions were sent off the war, and there were mass casualties. The atmosphere across Europe was strained, and many lived in fear.

In 1919, the end of the war was finally in sight. The world’s major players gathered in France, at the Château de Versailles, to sign an agreement that would end the fighting and blood shed. There would finally be peace in Europe!

If you’re interested in learning more about the inner workings of the Treaty of Versailles, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading for 10 facts about the Treaty of Versailles.

1. The Treaty of Versailles brought about the end of World War I

Evening News

British Evening News placard Versailles Treaty signed June 28 1919 – WikiCommons

Before I get more into the details of the Treaty of Versailles, it’s important to talk about the basics!

The Treaty of Versailles is a document made up of 15 parts and 440 articles that marked the end of World War I. The war was between Germany and the Allied Powers: Britain, France, Russia, Italy and the United States.

World War I began in 1914 and while fighting stopped with the armistice of November 11, 1918, the Treaty of Versailles was not finalized and signed until June 28, 1919. The treaty was created at the Paris Peace Conference (which actually took place at the Château de Versailles), and it’s conclusion marked the end of the conference.

The Paris Peace Conference’s aim was to determine how Europe would move forward politically and economically after the horrors of World War I. The League of Nations was created, and along with the Treaty of Versailles, was one of the most important developments to come out of the conference.

2. The Treaty of Versailles was signed exactly 5 years after the start of World War I

Franz Ferdinand

The first page of the edition of an Italian paper depicting the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. Illustration by Achille Beltrame – WikiCommons

Many scholars say that World War I began on June 28, 1914 with the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. Ferdinand was the presumed heir of the Austro-Hungarian throne and was killed by a group of Serbian assassins.

Immediately after the death of Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Germany was an ally of Austria-Hungary, and swore to honor it’s alliance in the war. The war on Serbia quickly snowballed into World War I due to other alliances that brought Russia and France to the front lines.

3. The Treaty of Versailles took territory away from Germany

German delegates

German delegates in Versailles – WikiCommons

In total, the territory and population of Germany was reduced by 10% after the Treaty of Versailles.

In the west, the regions of Alsace and Lorraine were given back to France, and in the east, Poland was recovered. Germany was also required to recognize Czechoslovakia‘s independence.

All of the country’s colonies overseas were taken by Allied Powers such as Britain, France and Japan.

4. The Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Hall of Mirrors at the Château de Versailles

Versailles

Dignitaries gathering in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, France, to sign the Treaty of Versailles, June 28, 1919 – WikiCommons

The aptly named Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Hall of Mirrors at the Versailles Castle, about 25 kilometres west of Paris.

The place of the signed was carefully chosen, and the Allied Powers eventually settled on the Château de Versailles due to it’s historical value. In 1871, Wilhelm I was crowned the first emperor of a unified German Empire. This new unified Germany came out of Germany’s (then the Kingdom of Prussia) victory in the Franco-Prussian war. In 1871, France had to recognize their defeat. In 1919, it was Germany’s turn.

5. The Treaty of Versailles included a “war guilt” clause

demonstration

Mass demonstration in front of the Reichstag against the Treaty of Versailles by Bildarchiv Preußischer Kulturbesitz – WikiCommons

The most controversial section of the Treaty of Versailles was the “war guilt” clause. While the clause did not explicitly blame Germany for World War I, it did give responsibility to Germany and it’s allies for the damages caused by the warfare.

Germany was not allowed to participate in the negotiations for the treaty, something that upset and embarrassed the country. When the German government saw the treaty for the first time, the first democratically elected official, Philipp Scheidemann, chose to resign rather than sign the treaty. Scheidemann was unhappy with the ultimatums mapped out by the treaty, and claimed that it was unfair.

A new official, Gustav Bauer was brought in by the first German president, Friedrich Ebert, and was urged to sign the treaty. President Ebert feared that if they did not sign, the Allied Powers would invade Germany and the country would be lost to them forever. The Treaty of Versailles was officially signed on June 28, 1919!

There are many scholars that say that this guilt clause and the unrest surrounding it would lead to World War II, due to Germany’s humiliation. I’ll get into this more in depth coming up!

6. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919

Signing

The Signing of Peace in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles 1919 by William Orpen – WikiCommons

I already briefly mentioned that World War I was brought to an armistice on November 11, 1918. This did not mark an official surrender from Germany, but it did end the land, sea and sky fighting and declared victory of the Allies over Germany.

Germany was not ready to give up so easily, which is why negotiations during the Paris Peace Conference took over 6 months. As I just mentioned above, German officials were not happy with the Treaty of Versailles and refused to sign it.

The new German president, Ebert, even went so far as to ask the Germany military if they would be able to stand up to the Allies if they refused to sign. The military urged the president to sign the treaty, stating that they did not stand a chance if the Allied forces invaded Germany.

They eventually did sign, on June 28, 1919! But, the treaty did not go into effect until January 10, 1920. This meant that the war was over, but Germany would not be required to begin paying its debts until early January of 1920.

7. The Treaty of Versailles was drafted by the “Big Four”

Big four

The Big Four: Prime Minister David Lloyd George (Great Britain) Premier Vittorio Orlando, Italy, French Premier Georges Clemenceau, President Woodrow Wilson (USA) by Edward N. Jackson – WikiCommons

The “Big Four” was the group of Allied Powers leaders that led the Paris Peace conference. The group included Woodrow Wilson of the United States, Georges Clemenceau of France, David Lloyd George of Britain and Vittorio Orlando of Italy.

While their were several other Allied Powers that were involved in WWI, the Big Four was responsible for most of the Treaty of Versailles. Germany had absolutely no say in the negotiations, which is perhaps why their new elected officials were so unhappy with the ultimatums it presented the country.

Much of the Treaty of Versailles was centered around the “Fourteen Points” that President Wilson created to define the United States’ postwar goals. End of the war, the withdrawal of Central Powers’ troops, the independence of Poland, free trade and democracy were a few of the goals mentioned. Sound familiar?

8. The Treaty of Versailles restricted the German army

Gun

Photo from German archives, showing the destruction of a heavy gun in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles – WikiCommons

In addition to taking 10% of Germany’s territory and population, the Treaty of Versailles also restricted their military forces. These restrictions were put in place in the hopes of dismantling the German military so that they could not rise up against the Allies again. It also hoped for a general international disarmament.

Germany was required to reduce their army to just 100,000 men. The military staff and police force was also minimized to the same numbers as before the war started. Several military fortifications were dismantled as well, and Germany was banned from the arms trade.

9. Some say that the Treaty of Versailles would lead to World War II

Violation

Adolf Hitler announcing that he violated the Treaty of Versailles in 1938 – WikiCommons

Germany was humiliated after the end of WWI and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, mostly due to the infamous guilt clause. This humiliation and unrest gave German right-wing politicians a perfect opportunity to rally together a nationalist party, which would eventually lead to the election of Adolf Hitler.

Several scholars state that the harshness of the Treaty of Versailles that led to resentment across Germany made it much easier for nationalists to remilitarize the country under Hilter. A tipping point occurred when Hitler violated the treaty by putting the military back in the Rhineland in Germany in 1936, and the Allied forced did not try to stop him. Some historians say that this encouraged Germany to continue to violate the Treaty of Versailles, and go on to start World War II.

10. Germany did not pay off the debts from the Treaty of Versailles until 2010

reparations

American political cartoon depicting the contemporary view of German reparations, 1921 by New York World – WikiCommons

When Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, the country agreed to pay back nearly $31.4 billion in debts. Today, that number is equal to $442 billion! However, this number was to be split between all of the Central Powers. In the end, Germany was required to pay back $12.5 billion (at the time).

What exactly would all of this money go towards? Rebuilding Europe after the devastation of the war, and more specifically, the reconstruction of Germany that was to be carried out with the help of the Allied Powers.

Germany was allowed to pay the debt in cash or in exports such as coal, machinery livestock and pharmaceutical products. It wasn’t until 2010, over 90 years later, that Germany would finish paying it’s debts.

Conclusion

Did you know how World War I ended before reading this article? Well, now you know! And now you know why the treaty was signed in Versailles, what Germany was required to do, and the aftermath of the treaty in general. I hope you’re happy with what you’ve learned!

If you want to learn even more about French history, why not join one of our walking tours the next time you’re in Paris? Click here to learn more about all of our options, led by our expert local guides!

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.