Paris peace conference (history)

• The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919.
• Germany had to pay reparations to the Allies.
• An army of 100000 was very small for a country of Germany’s size.
• The army was a symbol of german pride.
• Being left out of the international body felt like an insult to Germany.
• The 6 nations were divided into 2 opposing alliances: the 'Triple Alliance' consisting of Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy, and the 'Triple Entente' consisting of Britain, France and Russia.
• Germany empire was formed in 1871 and ruled by Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig (Wilhelm I).
• In 1888, the emperor of Germany died and his grandson, Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert (Wilhelm II) ascended to the throne.
• Wilhelm II felt that Germany needed to assert their dominance in the world as one of the powerful countries.
• Wilhelm II was concerned about the threat of encirclement posed by 'Triple Entente'.
• Wilhelm II strengthened his ties with the emperor of Austria-Hungary.
• Wilhelm II focused on Germany’s navy since its army was already powerful.
• Germany formed an alliance with France.
• Germany signed an agreement with Russia in 1907.
• Germany’s actions made other countries worry, leading to France and Russia forming the 'Franco-Russian Alliance' in 1894.
• Britain was scared of Germany’s navy becoming big, leading to an arms race with Germany.
• In 1908, Austria-Hungary unexpectedly invaded Bosnia, which was seen as a threat to Serbia, an ally of Russia.
• The treaty imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including loss of territory and military restrictions.