What was the mood of signing the treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles was the peace settlement signed after World War One had ended in 1918 and in the shadow of

the Russian Revolution and other events in Russia. The treaty was signed at the vast Versailles Palace near Paris - hence

its title - between Germany and the Allies. The three most important politicians there were David Lloyd George,

Georges Clemenceau and Woodrow Wilson. The Versailles Palace was considered the most appropriate venue simply

because of its size - many hundreds of people were involved in the process and the final signing ceremony in the Hall of

Mirrors could accommodate hundreds of dignitaries. Many wanted Germany, now led by Friedrich Ebert, smashed;

others, like Lloyd George, were privately more cautious.

World War One had left Europe devastated. Those countries that had fought in it, had suffered casualties never

experienced before:

Britain : 750,000 soldiers killed; 1,500,000 wounded

France : 1,400,000 soldiers killed; 2,500,000 wounded

Belgium : 50,000 soldiers killed

Italy : 600,000 soldiers killed

Russia : 1,700,000 soldiers killed

America : 116,000 soldiers killed

Those who had fought against the Allies suffered heavy casualties as well:

Germany : 2,000,000 soldiers killed

Austria-Hungary : 1,200,000 soldiers killed

Turkey : 325,000 soldiers killed

Bulgaria : 100,000 soldiers killed

The total deaths of all nations who fought in the war is thought to have been 8.5 million with 21 million being

wounded.

Alongside these statistics, was the fact that vast areas of north-eastern Europe had been reduced to rubble. Flanders in

Belgium had been all but destroyed with the ancient city of Ypres being devastated. The homes of 750,000 French

people were destroyed and the infrastructure of this region had also been severely damaged. Roads, coal mines, telegraph

poles had all been destroyed and such a loss greatly hindered the area's ability to function normally.

The victors from World War One were in no mood to be charitable to the defeated nations and Germany in particular

was held responsible for the war and its consequences. In fact, Germany was purposefully left out of negotiations in

making the treaty.

During mid-1918, Europe was hit by Spanish flu and an estimated 25 million people died. This added to the feeling of

bitterness that ran through Europe and this anger was primarily directed at Germany.

The attitude towards Germany of the "Big Three"

The treaty was signed on June 28th 1919 after months of argument and negotiation amongst the so-called "Big Three"

as to what the treaty should contain.

Who were the "Big Three" and where did they clash over Germany and her treatment after the war?

The "Big Three" were David Lloyd George of Britain, Clemenceau of France and Woodrow Wilson of America.

David Lloyd George of Great Britain had two views on how Germany should be treated. it should be in here welcome