AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
Peace-making, 1919–1923: the roles and aims of Clemenceau, Wilson and…
Full specification wording
2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941 (A-level only) – Second World War, 1917–1941 The end of the First World War and the peace settlement, 1917–1923: Peace-making, 1919–1923: the roles and aims of Clemenceau, Wilson and Lloyd George; the Treaty of Versailles; the East and Southern European settlements and the settlement with Turkey
The 1919–1923 peace-making process was dominated by the conflicting aims of the Big Three.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The 1919–1923 peace-making process was dominated by the conflicting aims of the Big Three. France's Clemenceau sought harsh reparations and territorial buffers to cripple Germany. America's Wilson championed idealism, the League of Nations, and self-determination. Britain's Lloyd George desired a balanced compromise to resume trade while expanding the British Empire. These tensions shaped the punitive Treaty of Versailles with Germany. The East and Southern European settlements (Treaties of Saint-Germain, Trianon, and Neuilly) dismantled Austria-Hungary and penalised Bulgaria, creating fragile new states. The settlement with Turkey proved highly volatile; the harsh 1920 Treaty of Sèvres was successfully challenged, forcing the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne.
What earns the marks
- Compare and contrast the specific aims of Clemenceau (security and punishment), Wilson (idealism and the League), and Lloyd George (balance of power and empire).
- Detail the key terms of the Treaty of Versailles, including territorial losses, military restrictions, reparations, and Article 231, explaining how they reflected compromises.
- Analyse the East and Southern European settlements (Saint-Germain, Trianon, Neuilly) and their role in redrawing the map of the former Austro-Hungarian empire.
- Evaluate the failure of the Treaty of Sèvres and the significance of the Treaty of Lausanne in establishing the modern Turkish state.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Focusing exclusively on the Treaty of Versailles.
Put it right: Ensure equal analytical weight is given to the East and Southern European treaties and the Turkish settlements.
Oversimplifying Lloyd George's aims as purely moderate.
Put it right: Acknowledge his dual pressures of wanting a recovering German trading partner while satisfying a British public demanding harsh punishment.
Confusing the treaties of Sèvres and Lausanne.
Put it right: Distinguish Sèvres (1920) as the initial punitive treaty imposed by the Allies, and Lausanne (1923) as the revised treaty negotiated after Turkish nationalist military victories.
Exam tips
- Use the specific names of the minor treaties (Saint-Germain, Trianon, Neuilly, Sèvres, Lausanne) to demonstrate precise chronological and geographical knowledge.
- When evaluating the success of the peace-making process, assess it against the original, often contradictory, aims of Clemenceau, Wilson, and Lloyd George.
- Highlight the Treaty of Lausanne as a unique example of a defeated power successfully challenging and renegotiating the post-war settlement.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941 (A-level only) – Second World War, 1917–1941 The end of the First World War and the peace settlement, 1917–1923: Peace-making, 1919–1923: the roles and aims of Clemenceau, Wilson and Lloyd George; the Treaty of Versailles; the East and Southern European settlements and the settlement with Turkey lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
During the peace-making process of 1919, what was the primary aim of French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau regarding the Treaty of Versailles?
Listen
The 1919–1923 peace-making process was dominated by the conflicting aims of the Big Three. France's Clemenceau sought harsh reparations and territorial buffers to cripple Germany. America's Wilson championed idealism, the League of Nations, and self-determination. Britain's Lloyd George desired a balanced compromise to resume trade while expanding the British Empire. These tensions shaped the punitive Treaty of Versailles with Germany. The East and Southern European settlements (Treaties of Saint-Germain, Trianon, and Neuilly) dismantled Austria-Hungary and penalised Bulgaria, creating fragile new states. The settlement with Turkey proved highly volatile; the harsh 1920 Treaty of Sèvres was successfully challenged, forcing the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Compare and contrast the specific aims of Clemenceau (security and punishment), Wilson (idealism and the League), and Lloyd George (balance of power and empire). Detail the key terms of the Treaty of Versailles, including territorial losses, military restrictions, reparations, and Article 231, explaining how they reflected compromises. Analyse the East and Southern European settlements (Saint-Germain, Trianon, Neuilly) and their role in redrawing the map of the former Austro-Hungarian empire. Evaluate the failure of the Treaty of Sèvres and the significance of the Treaty of Lausanne in establishing the modern Turkish state. A common slip: Focusing exclusively on the Treaty of Versailles. Instead, ensure equal analytical weight is given to the East and Southern European treaties and the Turkish settlements. Exam tip: Use the specific names of the minor treaties (Saint-Germain, Trianon, Neuilly, Sèvres, Lausanne) to demonstrate precise chronological and geographical knowledge.
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Test your understanding of 2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941 (A-level only) – Second World War, 1917–1941 The end of the First World War and the peace settlement, 1917–1923: Peace-making, 1919–1923: the roles and aims of Clemenceau, Wilson and Lloyd George; the Treaty of Versailles; the East and Southern European settlements and the settlement with Turkey
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