After World War I
G2 Elective History - syllabus K230, 2027
Why was peace hard after the First World War? The Treaty of Versailles, its effects on Germany, and the League of Nations' successes and failures in the 1920s.
- Why 1918 did not settle the peace
The fighting stopped in November 1918, but leaders still had to agree on borders, payments and how to stop another war.
- What each peacemaker wanted
France wanted security from Germany, Britain wanted payment and a stable Europe, and the USA's Wilson wanted a League to keep peace.
- What Germany had to accept
Under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany accepted blame for war damage, paid reparations, cut its forces and lost land.
- How Versailles affected Germany
The treaty strained Germany's economy and gave enemies of democracy a grievance to attack the new government.
- Why new borders did not end disputes
New borders gave some peoples their own states, but mixed populations meant many groups were left unhappy.
- How the League was meant to keep peace
The League of Nations relied on collective security, members acting together against an aggressor, so it only worked if governments kept their promises.
- The League's record in the 1920s
The League settled the Aland Islands dispute peacefully in 1921, but in Corfu in 1923 Italy used force and still got paid.
- Put it together: Why did the League get different results?
The League helped Finland and Sweden agree over the Aland Islands in 1921. In 1923, Italy occupied Corfu and received compensation before withdrawing. Why did the League find one dispute easier to settle fairly? Compare the explanations below.
What you will be able to do
I can explain how the peace treaties after World War I changed Europe, especially Germany.
Syllabus K230, After World War I, Learning Outcomes. Explain the impact of post-war peace settlements on Europe.
Taught in Why 1918 did not settle the peace, What each peacemaker wanted, What Germany had to accept, How Versailles affected Germany, Why new borders did not end disputes
I can examine how the League of Nations tried to keep the peace in the 1920s and what happened.
Syllabus K230, After World War I, Learning Outcomes. Examine the attempts at collective security in the 1920s and its outcomes.
Taught in How the League was meant to keep peace, The League's record in the 1920s
Sources and context
Background reading for this chapter.
- the League's obligations
Paraphrase of the League of Nations Covenant, Articles 10, 12 and 16, adopted as part of the 1919 treaty.
- Wilson's proposed international order
Paraphrase of Woodrow Wilson's address to the US Congress, 8 January 1918, especially Points IV and XIV; transcript held by the US National Archives.
- UN Geneva, Aland Islands Solution address, 21 June 2011
Paraphrase of UN Geneva Director-General Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's address opening an Aland exhibition, 21 June 2011.
- Allan Westcott, Notes on International Affairs, Proceedings, December 1923
Paraphrase of the Italy and Greece section of Allan Westcott's contemporary international-affairs report, Proceedings, December 1923.