The Background to the Treaty of Versailles

More than 65 million men fought in the First World War; over eight million of them were killed. In addition, nearly nine million civilians died - from starvation, disease, artillery fire and air raids. Twelve million tons of shipping were sunk. In France and Belgium, where most of the war was fought, 300,000 houses, 6,000 factories, 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) of railway, 2,000 breweries and 112 coal mines were destroyed. The human cost of the war - in terms of damaged minds and bodies, and ruined lives – was beyond calculation. It was in this climate that the victorious powers came together to discuss what to do with the 'defeated' nations.

	The impact of the First World War and the background to the Paris Peace Conference lesson video
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Lessons & Resources » Were the peace treaties of 1919 - 1923 fair?

• Political Cartoon Interpretation
• The Big Three
• The Aims of the Leaders at the Paris Peace Conference
• The Treaty of Versailles
• German Reactions to the Terms of the Treaty
• The Impact of the Treaty on Germany
• Verdicts and Fairness of the Treaty
• The Other Peace Settlements