What Was the Main Purpose of the Paris Peace Conference?

By Anna Duncan

The Paris Peace Conference was held in 1919 after the end of World War I. The main purpose of the conference was to negotiate peace treaties between the Allied powers and the defeated Central powers, specifically Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire. The conference was attended by representatives from 27 countries and lasted for six months.

The Treaty of Versailles

The most important outcome of the Paris Peace Conference was the Treaty of Versailles, which was signed on June 28, 1919. The treaty aimed to punish Germany for its role in starting World War I and to prevent it from becoming a military threat again.

  • One of the major provisions of the treaty was that Germany had to accept full responsibility for causing the war.
  • Germany also had to pay reparations to the Allied powers, which amounted to billions of dollars.
  • The treaty also limited Germany’s military capabilities by reducing its army size and forbidding it from having an air force or submarines.

The League of Nations

Another important outcome of the Paris Peace Conference was the creation of an international organization called the League of Nations. The league aimed to promote peace and cooperation among nations and prevent future wars.

The League’s Functions

  • The league provided a forum for countries to discuss their differences peacefully instead of resorting to war.
  • It also established mandates over former German colonies in Africa and Asia, which were placed under the control of various Allied powers as part of their reparations.
  • Additionally, it created an International Court of Justice to settle disputes between nations.

Criticism

Despite its aims, both the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations were heavily criticized. Some believed that the treaty was too harsh on Germany and would lead to future conflicts. Others believed that the league was ineffective in preventing war, as it failed to stop Japan’s invasion of Manchuria and Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia in the 1930s.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the main purpose of the Paris Peace Conference was to negotiate peace treaties and establish an international organization that would promote peace and cooperation among nations. While the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations had their flaws, they represented a significant step towards creating a more peaceful world order after the devastation of World War I.