A SchoolsHistory.org.uk project. Online for testing and editing by participating students. Please excuse any typographical errors, inaccuracies or broken links: or better still, e-mail me and let me know where they are!

In January 1919 representatives from 32 different countries met in the Palace of Versailles in France. By now the First World War had ended and the countries met to decide what was to be done about the defeated countries. These countries were Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria. None of these countries were invited to speak at the conference. Russia was also not invited to speak at the conference because they made peace with Germany in the War and gave Germany some land.

The three most powerful leaders made most of the decisions at this conference. These were Wilson from the USA, Clemenceau of France and Lloyd George of Great Britain. However they had different views on what should be done with the defeated countries.

· Wilson wanted lasting peace so they wouldn't need to go to War again.
· Clemenceau wanted revenge on Germany because most of the battles had taken place in France.
· Lloyd George wanted Germany to be punished but not so much that Germany would fight back.

In the end they made the Treaty of Versailles and Germany was forced to sign it otherwise Germany would be invaded. The treaty included Germany admitting they were to blame and paying for the damage. On 28 of June 1919 Germany signed the treaty.

This description of The Treaty of Versailles was written by Victoria Ellis, a Year 9 student at Laisterdyke High School, Bradford.

To see how the map of europe changed as a result of the Treaty of Versailles visit CyberLearing.com and use their interactive map.

Want to read the whole of the treaty?