GEORGES 'THE TIGER' CLEMENCEAU 1841-1929
After working as a doctor, teacher and journalist, Clemenceau entered politics as Mayor of Montmartre in 1870. As prime minister of France between 1906 and 1909, he developed closer ties with Britain and Russia and advocated greater preparedness for war against Germany.
Clemenceau was again prime minister from 1917 to 1920. He helped to revive French morale following the disastrous Nivelle offensive and mutinies in the army. He also lobbied hard to have Marshal Foch accepted as the Allied supreme commander.
He represented France at the Paris Peace Conference, where he pressed for a punitive settlement that included German disarmament, the payment of reparations and the recovery of Alsace-Lorraine. Ironically, he fell from office in 1920 after being accused of excessive leniency towards Germany. He spent the rest of his life writing and predicted a renewal of hostilities with Germany by 1940.
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