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Treaty of Versailles and the End of World War I
A painting of German chancellor Otto Von Bismarck meeting French diplomats at Versailles after the Franco-Prussian War, ca. 1871.

A painting of German chancellor Otto Von Bismarck meeting French diplomats at Versailles after the Franco-Prussian War, ca. 1871.

In this painting, Von Bismarck offers the French his terms after the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). The German artist sought to capture the French diplomats sinking into despair as Bismarck proudly issues the severe and humiliating terms he is forcing upon them. This 1871 negotiation also took place at the Palace of Versailles, which made it a symbolic location for signing the treaty ending World War I when the roles were reversed: France was among the victors and Germany was defeated. Other symbols included in the painting include the Prussian helmet and iron cross. There are also scraps of paper on the floor and a map of Europe behind Bismarck.

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Citation Information
War Department, “Enemy Activities - Officers - Lest we forget,” Digital Public Library of America, https://dp.la/item/e397bc29b9040608ce427dca1f8b15f6.
Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.
Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration.

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For this source, consider:

  • the author's point of view
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Item 1 of 15 in the Primary Source Set Treaty of Versailles and the End of World War I

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A painting of German chancellor Otto Von Bismarck meeting French diplomats at Versailles after the Franco-Prussian War, ca. 1871.
An excerpt from a pamphlet featuring President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points, 1919.
A clip of video footage of Armistice Day, November 11, 1918.
An excerpt from a speech by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge to the US Senate urging caution about the League of Nations, August 12, 1919.
An excerpt from a speech by President Woodrow Wilson in support of the League of Nations, September 5, 1919.
An advertisement for a mass meeting about the League of Nations titled “Give Her the Key and Lock Him Up,” 1919.
A 1919 map of new national boundaries in Europe as proposed by the Treaty of Versailles.
A clip of newsreel footage of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles and soldiers returning home from the Great War, 1919.
A photograph of German delegates listening to the terms of the treaty at the Trianon Palace Hotel, 1919.
A photograph of German diplomats Hermann Mueller and Johannes Bell leaving Versailles after signing the Treaty of Versailles, 1919.
A political cartoon about German attitudes towards the treaty titled “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” 1919.
An excerpt from a pamphlet titled “What Everyone Should Know about the Treaty of Peace,” issued by Berlin’s National Citizens Council, 1921.
A postcard titled “A German Matter of Existence,” 1934.
A political campaign leaflet in support of the Social Democratic Party describing German inflation after the Treaty of Versailles, 1932.
A postcard titled “Never Forget the Shameful Peace at Versailles!,” 1930s.

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To give feedback, contact us at info@dp.la. You can also view resources for National History Day.

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