c) Why was Wilson annoyed by these problems ?
Wilson was horrified to hear of the extent of these commitments, most of which went against his principle of self-determination. Britain and France were much less enthusiastic about keeping their side of these bargains once the fighting stopped, but sometimes they could not avoid it.
2. Collapse of the Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empire.
a) Russia: What were the terms of Treaty of Brest Litovsk ?
The terms of the Treaty of Brest Litovsk were harsh, Russia gave up huge areas on its western borders: Finland, The Baltic States, its Polish Provinces and the Ukraine. Although the treaty was annulled by Germany's defeat, most of the lost territory was not recovered by Russia, which was embroiled in civil war until 1920.
b) Austria-Hungary:What happened when this empire collapsed ?
In Austria-hungary the war brought the end of the monarchy. This sprawling Central European Empire contained dozens of different national groups. Some, such as the Czechs and Slovaks, declared their independence while the war still continued. As the empire fell apart, new countries emerged in its place. When the peace conference met, the new states of Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslovakia already existed. True boundries had not been finally decided, but the peacemakers did not make extensive changes to them.
c) Why do you think the peacemakers did not make alterations to these new nations ?
The peace makers made alterations to these new nations because the peacemakers would discuss or adjust the frontiers of these states, Germany's defeat and Russia's collapse brought them into existence.
3. Terms of the Armtice.
a) Define Armistice
When nations make peace at the end of a war, they first agree the terms on which they will stop fighting, before they meet to discuss and agree the terms of the peace treaty that formally ends the war.
b)What terms from the armistice found their way into the treaty of versailles ?
The Armistice terms came to have an important effect on the terms of the Peace Treaties themselves. For Example, In the Armistice agreed with Germany, the principle reparations was accepted. Germany also agreed to leave Alsace-Lorraine, and that armies would evaculate all areas on the left bank of Rhine. Each of these found its way into the final peace treaty, as did other military ristrictions placed on Germany by armistice.Thus the terms that were intented primarily to bring the fighting to an end actually became a part of the treaty that punished Germany.
4. Public Opinion
a) What was the opinion of the European Victorious Nations ?
The opinion of the European Victorious Nations was that all the politicians at the Paris peace conference were under pressure to meet the expectations.
b) What was the opinion of the American Public ?
The Americans were not really enthusiastic about being involved in European affairs at all.
c) How did this would influence the peace ?
Wilson, Clemenceau, Llyod George and the Italian Prime minister, Orlando, all found that they were not free to make the peace they wanted, as public opinion at home would not let them.
