- Georges Clemenceau of France
- David Lloyd George of the United Kingdom
- Vittorio Orlando of Italy
- Woodrow Wilson of the United States
These leaders met at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 to negotiate a peace treaty with Germany that would end the war. The Big Four had different goals and objectives for the peace treaty, but they all shared a desire to prevent Germany from starting another war.
Here are some of the key things the Big Four wanted from the peace treaty:
- France: France wanted to weaken Germany so that it would not be able to attack France again. France also wanted to regain the territory of Alsace-Lorraine, which had been lost to Germany in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.
- United Kingdom: The United Kingdom wanted to prevent Germany from becoming too powerful again and threatening British naval dominance. The United Kingdom also wanted to ensure that Germany would pay reparations for the damage it had caused during the war.
- Italy: Italy wanted to gain territory from Austria-Hungary, which had been on the side of Germany in the war. Italy also wanted to increase its influence in the Mediterranean Sea.
- United States: The United States wanted to create a lasting peace in Europe and prevent future wars. Woodrow Wilson also wanted to promote the ideals of democracy and self-determination in Europe.
The peace treaty that was eventually agreed upon, the Treaty of Versailles, reflected the goals and objectives of the Big Four. The treaty weakened Germany by limiting its military strength, taking away territory, and imposing reparations. The treaty also created a new international organization, the League of Nations, which was designed to promote peace and cooperation among nations.