Commemorative Medallion : Versailles Peace Treaty 1919

Bronze circular medallion showing on the obverse a personification of France presenting a pen and the Peace Treaty to Germania. Around the edge in raised lettering are the words: "PAIX DE VERSAILLES 1919" (Peace of Versailles 1919). The reverse shows a view of the Chateau de Versailles above the words: "LA FRANCE ET SES ALLIES EFFACENT UN DOULOUREUX SOUVENIR 1871-1919" (France and her Allies obliterate a grievous souvenir, 1871-1919).

This medallion commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Versailles which took place in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles on June 28 1919. This venue had been chosen as it was the same place France had signed their surrender to Germany on 27 January 1871 to end the Franco-Prussian War.

The Treaty of Versailles was one of five treaties formulated at the Paris Peace Conference as part of the peace negotiations at the end of the First World War. The Treaty of Versailles related to establishing the conditions of peace with Germany.

The major sanctions imposed by the treaty included the disarmament of Germany, payment of very large reparations to the allies, and demilitarization of the Rhineland. The treaty also involved the surrender of territory which had been part of Germany prior to the First World War, including Alsace-Lorraine to France and substantial areas to Poland.

The international diplomatic group, the League of Nations, a precursor to the United Nations, was also developed out of the treaty as a way to solve disputes between countries before they erupted into open warfare. Germany was not allowed to join until 1926 and the union of Austria with Germany was also expressly forbidden without the consent of the League.

Germany, led by their Foreign Minister Hermann Muller reluctantly signed the treaty first. President Woodrow Wilson of the United States was then the first representative of the victorious nations to sign.

Australia’s representatives at the Paris Peace Conference were the Prime Minister Billy Hughes, the Deputy Prime Minister Sir Joseph Cook, and Lieutenant Commander J.G. Latham, Royal Australian Naval Reserve.