IGCSE History: Big Three

IGCSE History: Big Three The Big Three ● The fate of the losers (Central Powers – Germany, Turkey, Hungary etc.) and Wilson’s Fourteen Points were discussed in the Paris Conferences held in January 1919 ● Referred to the Prime Ministers/Presidents of America, Britain and France (the victorious countries of WWI) – remember, the formation of the Big Three changes after WWII, do not get confused ● All leaders had their own objectives, depending on their degree of hatred of Germany and their views ● Big Three’s objectives often clashed and usually French and British would disagree with America’s views – the Allies were scared that disagreeing Wilson’s views might limit American war effort, therefore they had only started to disagree after the war ● The Big Three also faced a lot of problems: ○ Germany nearly defeated the Allies – had to ensure Germany would not start another war ○ Bolshevik Revolution wanted to destroy all capitalist governments by workers’ revolution Alliances among them: ● The United Kingdom and the United States saw themselves as individuals because they are isolated by the ocean ● France was allied with the US, and France expected Britain to agree with their ideologies: ● Had a long political history of hatred with the Central Powers ● Had been allies for a long time ● Both needed military and particularly financial aid from United States ● Fighting had occurred on French soil and British coastal areas had been bombed thus both had suffered structural damage. ● However, France wanted a harsh peace, whilst the British wanted a just peace ● Wilson was an idealist who desired world peace, while Clemenceau desired to punish Germany as severely as possible. As a result, their positions were at odds. ● Clemenceau is described to be ‘the tiger’ for his brutality against Germany – he ultimately wanted Germany to only be controlled by intimidation, however, it was justifiable: ○ ¼ of all French men aged 18-27 had been killed, and 4 million injuries ○ Much of North-Eastern France was devastated ○ France was faced with a huge war debt mostly owed to the USA ○ France wanted revenge for their defeat by Germany in the war of 1870-71 and the loss of Alsace-Lorraine ○ Wilson is credited as ‘Jesus’ by Clemenceau; Clemenceau was unhappy at the Fourteen Points – ‘if Jesus has Ten Commandments, why should Wilson have more?’ Lloyd George’s objectives: just/compromise peace ● To punish Germany, but not so harshly ● Had to listen to the public opinion at home ● Keep Germany as a trading partner – Germany was still one of the main exporters of raw materials had that time ● Self-determination for parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire ● Seek reparations after war ● Protect and secure Britain’s position in international trade Woodrow Wilson’s objectives: idealistic peace ● Follow his fourteen points (which he announced in January 1918) ● A just peace (he was religious and believed that God wanted him to make the world a better place and disliked Britain and France’s approach to peace) ● Self-determinations for states that had been parts of European empire before 1914 ● Create a League of Nations to prevent future wars that all countries would join – wanted to sweep away old-fashioned politics ● Make the world safe for democracy and abolish secret treaties ● A just and lasting peace for Europe ● He believed that Europeans caused WWI and believed that it was America’s mission to stop the war ● Wanted Britain and France to pay war debts (refer to the ‘Dawes Plan’ triangle, mentioned later on the topic) Clemenceau’s objectives: harsh peace ● Punish Germany as harshly as possible – weaken the country to ensure no future attacks and take away the country’s iron and coal resources ● Regain Alsace-Lorraine – taken by Germany in 1871 ● Seek reparations to cover war debts and damages – to rebuild France using their reparations ● Create a buffer (small and neutral state between two rivalry countries) between France and Germany ● Prevent the spread of Russia’s Bolshevism (a form of Communism)