Major Leaders

Woodrow Wilson

The President formulated his "Fourteen Points" as a basis for a fair and long-lived peace settlement and the reconstruction of Europe. Unlike the other Allies, Wilson was an idealist, and did not seek to severely punish Germany, but rather tackle and reconcile the problems that initiated WWI. He campaigned on behalf of the people in Europe being allowed to determine their own future, a principle referred to as "self-determination," and desired to end the Empires of the European nations. Wilson wanted to renounce secret alliances and treaties and demanded that Germany reduce its army, so that war would not be an option. He also advocated absolute freedom of the seas, removal of global trade barriers, and the settlement of all international colonial disputes. According to him, these plans were fair and would restore peace in Europe, and therefore minimize the possibility of war. He adamantly supported the creation of the League of Nations to resolve future political disputes between nations and provide peaceful solutions to avoid war and even compromised his Fourteen Points to have the League established.

David Lloyd George

Lloyd George supported a common ground: neither treat Germany leniently nor harshly. Among George's objectives were to reduce the German Navy and take possession of their colonies, so that Britain would maintain its Naval supremacy and expand its empire. He was logical and preferred minimal penalties for Germany, as opposed to Clemenceau, as he thought a fair treaty would not provoke a resentful Germany to seek revenge, and threaten peace in the future. He acknowledged Britain's desire for vengeance and pledged to punish Germany, though he was concerned that Communism would spread if the country was left penniless. Since Germany was a main trading partner for Britain and Europe's economy would suffer greatly if it crumbled, the Prime Minister desired to assist them economically. Like the French, he also wanted to obtain reparations for war damages and minimize Germany's military power.

Georges Clemenceau

Representing the French people, the Prime Minister sought retribution from Germany for the heavy casualties. He wanted to establish stringent policies that would permanently debilitate Germany's military, politics, territories, and economy to secure France's security. Clemenceau ardently advocated Germany's military and economic destruction through the treaty, wanting to leave them incapable of future aggression to protect France against an invasion from their German neighbor. Since much of the war was fought on French territory, they wanted the Germans to pay to rebuild their devastated land. France desired to expand their empire and colonies, so he avidly supported the distribution of Germany's colonies among the victors of WWI. The French also demanded territories that were previously taken from them by Germany.

Vittorio Orlando

Italy had made secret treaties with other Allied governments prior to the Peace Conference. Italy had joined the Allies and declared war on Germany because France and Britain promised them a portion of the land that would be seized from the Central Powers in The Treaty of London. Minister Orlando expected the Allies to keep their word and reward Italy with their promised territories and power for having switched sides in the war. He clashed with President WIlson over Italy's territorial demands, as WIlson deemed them unfit for his principle of "self-determination." Since he didn't achieve this goal, Italy became skeptical of Democracy and Orlando resigned before the official signing of the Treaty of Versailles.