Though the Paris Peace Conference, which began in January 1919, was attended by representatives of all the Allied nations, the decisions were made by four heads of government, called the Big Four: President Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) of the United States, Prime Minister David Lloyd George (1863–1945) of Great Britain, Premier Georges Clemenceau (1841–1929) of France, and Premier Vittorio Orlando (1860-1952) of Italy. Other representatives formed committees to work out the details of the treaties that were drawn up with each of the countries that had made up World War I’s Central Powers: the Treaty of Versailles was signed with Germany, the Treaty of St. Germain was signed with Austria, the Treaty of Neuilly was made with Bulgaria, the Treaty of Trianon was made with Hungary, and the Treaty of Sevres was signed with the Ottoman Empire.
German soldiers ready a machine gun as they watch enemy positions during World War I.