Big Three and Paris Peace Conference
To what extent was the desire for revenge the main objective of the Big Three at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919? Explain your answer.
When the Big Three met at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, Europe had just experienced four years of war. As victors of the war, representatives from France, Britain and the US had a responsibility to decide what to do. However, the representatives from these 3 countries might not have the same objectives in deciding what to do.
France was certainly bent on revenge. Much of the fighting took place in France. It suffered more losses than Britain and the USA in terms of casualties and damages. The people in France wanted a harsh treaty as a retribution for the Germans, who were regarded as being responsible for their suffering. Therefore, it was not surprising that Clemenceau, the French Prime Minister, wanted the terms in the Treaty of Versailles to be harsh. He demanded that lands be taken away from Germany. He wanted to cripple Germany as a military power. He also wanted Germany to pay large sums of reparations over many years, so that the Germans would suffer from poverty for a long time.
Britain also wanted revenge, but not to the extent that France wanted. After all, Britain did not suffered as much damage as the French. Britain's desire for revenge was also coupled with its intention to restore Europe to peace and prosperity. Permanently weakening the Germans was not regarded as a way to help Europe's recovery. Terms that were too harsh would generate German resentment and thus, not conducive to the restoration of peace. Keeping Germany economically weak would also obstruct Europe's attempts to regain its prosperity. Therefore, Lloyd George, British Prime Minister, was mainly concerned with the reduction of German military strength in order to ensure peace. His demand for huge sums of reparations was not as strong as the French.
The USA had the least desire for revenge and its main concern was to prevent war
When the Big Three met at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, Europe had just experienced four years of war. As victors of the war, representatives from France, Britain and the US had a responsibility to decide what to do. However, the representatives from these 3 countries might not have the same objectives in deciding what to do.
France was certainly bent on revenge. Much of the fighting took place in France. It suffered more losses than Britain and the USA in terms of casualties and damages. The people in France wanted a harsh treaty as a retribution for the Germans, who were regarded as being responsible for their suffering. Therefore, it was not surprising that Clemenceau, the French Prime Minister, wanted the terms in the Treaty of Versailles to be harsh. He demanded that lands be taken away from Germany. He wanted to cripple Germany as a military power. He also wanted Germany to pay large sums of reparations over many years, so that the Germans would suffer from poverty for a long time.
Britain also wanted revenge, but not to the extent that France wanted. After all, Britain did not suffered as much damage as the French. Britain's desire for revenge was also coupled with its intention to restore Europe to peace and prosperity. Permanently weakening the Germans was not regarded as a way to help Europe's recovery. Terms that were too harsh would generate German resentment and thus, not conducive to the restoration of peace. Keeping Germany economically weak would also obstruct Europe's attempts to regain its prosperity. Therefore, Lloyd George, British Prime Minister, was mainly concerned with the reduction of German military strength in order to ensure peace. His demand for huge sums of reparations was not as strong as the French.
The USA had the least desire for revenge and its main concern was to prevent war