Motives and Aims of the Big Three

Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson's peace aims during World War I were outlined in his famous Fourteen Points speech, delivered to the U.S. Congress on January 8, 1918. These points were intended to serve as a basis for a just and lasting peace settlement. Here are some of the key aims:
  1. Open Diplomacy: Wilson called for an end to secret treaties and negotiations. He advocated for transparent diplomacy, where all nations would have equal access to information and participate in the decision-making process.
  2. Freedom of the Seas: Wilson sought to ensure the freedom of navigation and trade on the seas during both war and peace. He aimed to remove any barriers or restrictions that hindered the movement of goods and people.
  3. Removal of Trade Barriers: Wilson promoted the elimination of economic barriers, such as tariffs and trade restrictions, to foster free trade and economic cooperation among nations.
  4. Reduction of Armaments: Wilson called for a substantial reduction in military forces and armaments to prevent future wars and maintain international peace. He believed in disarmament as a means to create a more secure world.
  5. Self-Determination: Wilson emphasized the principle of national self-determination, which meant that people should have the right to choose their own form of government without external interference. This principle was especially relevant to the dismantling of empires and the establishment of new nations.
  6. League of Nations: Wilson's most significant peace aim was the establishment of a League of Nations, which would serve as an international organization to promote collective security, resolve disputes diplomatically, and prevent future wars.
These points shaped Wilson's vision for a new world order based on democracy, diplomacy, and cooperation among nations. They had a profound impact on the negotiations and the eventual Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I.

David Lloyd-George
David Lloyd George, the British Prime Minister during World War I, had several aims at the Versailles Peace Conference in 1919. Here are some of the key objectives he pursued:
  1. National Security: Lloyd George was concerned about British national security and aimed to ensure that Germany was sufficiently weakened to prevent it from becoming a future military threat. He wanted to maintain a balance of power in Europe and prevent any resurgence of German aggression.
  2. Economic Stability: Lloyd George sought to restore economic stability and rebuild the European economy, which had been severely damaged by the war. He pushed for reparations from Germany to compensate the Allies for war damages and believed that the payments would help fund the reconstruction efforts.
  3. Fairness and Justice: Lloyd George wanted to ensure a fair and just peace settlement that held Germany accountable for the war but also avoided excessively punitive measures. He was mindful of not pushing Germany into economic and political instability, which he believed could lead to future conflicts.
  4. Colonial Interests: Lloyd George sought to safeguard and expand Britain's colonial interests. He aimed to secure territorial gains and access to resources that would benefit the British Empire.
  5. League of Nations: Similar to Woodrow Wilson, Lloyd George supported the idea of establishing a League of Nations to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. However, he was also cautious about its potential limitations and the preservation of British sovereignty.
  6. Maintaining British Influence: Lloyd George aimed to maintain Britain's status as a major world power and protect its political and economic influence. He sought to ensure that Britain's interests were adequately represented in the negotiations and that the British Empire's role was acknowledged.
It is worth noting that Lloyd George had to navigate various domestic and international pressures during the negotiations, and his aims sometimes evolved based on the dynamics and compromises that emerged during the conference.

George Clemenceau
Georges Clemenceau, the Prime Minister of France during World War I, had several aims at the Versailles Peace Conference in 1919. His primary concerns were focused on safeguarding the security and interests of France. Here are some of Clemenceau's key objectives:
  1. Security and Reparations: Clemenceau aimed to ensure the security of France and prevent any future German aggression. He pushed for stringent measures to be imposed on Germany, including substantial reparations, to compensate for the damage caused during the war and to weaken Germany militarily and economically.
  2. Territorial Changes: Clemenceau sought to secure territorial gains for France, particularly in the Alsace-Lorraine region, which had been lost to Germany in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. He also aimed to redraw the map of Europe in a way that would protect France's borders and enhance its security.
  3. Demilitarization of Germany: Clemenceau advocated for the demilitarization of Germany to prevent its military resurgence. He wanted to restrict the German army's size, dismantle its fortifications, and limit its access to weapons and military technology.
  4. Preservation of French Security: Clemenceau was determined to maintain a strong defensive position for France by securing control over key strategic points, such as the Rhineland, to act as a buffer against any future German aggression.
  5. Punitive Measures: Clemenceau favored punitive measures against Germany, as he believed that a severe peace settlement would prevent Germany from posing a threat to France in the future. He was less concerned about the potential consequences of a weakened German economy and social unrest.
  6. Rebuilding and Compensation: Clemenceau sought to rebuild France's war-ravaged economy and society. He aimed to secure financial compensation from Germany to support the country's reconstruction efforts.
Clemenceau's focus on French security and his determination to prevent future conflicts heavily influenced his positions at the Versailles Peace Conference. However, not all of his aims were fully realized due to negotiations, compromises, and the influence of other leaders at the conference.