Final answer:
The Big Three at the Paris Peace Conference disagreed on punitive measures against Germany and on how to handle territorial claims and colonial expansions, reflecting the diverse visions for the postwar world order among the Allied powers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences in the Paris Peace Conference
During the Paris Peace Conference that followed World War I, the leaders of the United States, Great Britain, and France, known collectively as the Big Three, disagreed on several key issues. President Woodrow Wilson of the United States had proposed the Fourteen Points, which included principles like the rights of neutral nations, freedom of the seas, and self-determination. However, other leaders had different priorities. One major disagreement was on the issue of punishing Germany. France and Great Britain wanted substantial monetary reparations and territorial gains from Germany, while Wilson opposed punitive measures and supported the idea of “peace without victory.”
Another contentious issue revolved around territorial claims and colonial expansions. While Wilson advocated for self-determination and the creation of new sovereign states, Great Britain and France were more interested in maintaining or expanding their empires. This difference in approach regarding how to treat conquered or colonial territories led to significant disagreements during the negotiations. These conflicting objectives illustrated the varying visions for the postwar world order among the Allied powers.