Topics in Chronicling America - Treaty of Versailles

Newspaper headlines around the world proclaim, “World War Ends as Pact is Signed” on June 28, 1919, ending one of the deadliest conflicts in history that resulted in over 35 million casualties. Exactly five years after the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the Treaty of Versailles was signed as crowds cheered and wept, while Germany bitterly protested. Many historians claim the peace treaty's harsh terms set the stage for the Second World War. Read more about it!

The information and sample article links below provide access to a sampling of articles from historic newspapers that can be found in the Chronicling America: American Historic Newspapers digital collection (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/). Use the Suggested Search Terms and Dates to explore this topic further in Chronicling America.

Jump to: Sample Articles

Important Dates:

• January 18, 1919: The Peace Conference opens in Paris with President Woodrow Wilson, and leaders from France, Great Britain and Italy; the League of Nations is created and approved.
• June 23, 1919 Germany officially indicates that it will sign the treaty, expressing reservations about its content.
• June 28, 1919 Germany signs the treaty, effectively ending the war.

Suggested Search Strategies:

• [Try the following terms in combination, proximity, or as phrases using Search Pages in Chronicling America.] Peace Treaty, Paris Peace Conference, Versailles, League of Nations, Big Four, Armistice.
• It is important to use a specific date range if looking for articles for a particular event in order to narrow your results, i.e. between 1918-1919.
• The treaty was referred to at the time as the “Peace Treaty” more often than as the Treaty of Versailles. “Great War” is also used rather than “World War I.”

Sample Articles from Chronicling America:

• "Peace Conference Opens," New York Tribune (New York, NY), January 19, 1919, Page 1, Image 1, col. 8.
• "League of Nations First Question," The Washington Times (Washington, DC), January 19, 1919, National Edition, Page 1, Image 1, col. 8.
• "Wedge Driven for Creating World League," The Evening Public Ledger (Philadelphia, PA), January 20, 1919, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1 & Image 15, Page 15, col. 6 & 7.
• "Peace Conference Unanimous for League Project," New York Tribune (New York, NY), January 26, 1919, Page 1, Image 1, col. 6.
• "Accept Leage of Nations Plan," The Washington Times (Washington, DC), January 26, 1919, National Edition, Page 1, Image 1, col. 6.
• "U.S. and British Plan Pact to Aid France," El Paso Herald (El Paso, TX), May 7, 1919, Evening Edition, Page 1, Image 1, col. 6, Page 2, Image 2, cols. 1-6, Page 3, Image 3, cols. 1-2.
• "Germany Votes to Sign - With Reservations; Allies Reject Plea; Prepare to Strike To-day," New York Tribune (New York, NY), June 23, 1919, Page 1, Image 1, col. 4.
• "Germany Signs Treaty," The Washington Times (Washington, DC), June 23, 1919, Final Edition, Page 1, Image 1, col. 7.
• "Will Sign Unconditionally," The Democratic Banner (Mt. Vernon, OH), June 24, 1919, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Germany Agrees to Sign Peace Pact," Evening Public Ledger (Philadelphia, PA), June 23, 1919, Page 1, Image 1, col. 7.
• "World War Ends as Pact is Signed," El Paso Herald (El Paso, TX), June 28, 1919, Home Edition, Page 1, Image 1, col. 4.
• "Germany Signs Treaty; World War At An End," The Evening Missourian (Columbia, MO), June 28, 1919, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Treaty of Peace Signed with Germany," Evening Public Ledger (Philadelphia, PA), June 28, 1919, Sports Extra, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Germans Sign; Peace Not Yet Included," New York Tribune (New York, NY), June 29, 1919, Page 1, Image 1, all.