Prime Minister W.M. Hughes in London, wearing an Australian Army hat

Prime Minister W.M. Hughes in London, wearing an Australian Army hat [picture]. ca. 1919

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At the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 Hughes played a conspicuous part, particularly on the questions of reparations, the former German colonies in the Pacific, and the covenant of the League of Nations. He returned to Australia in triumph, hailed as ‘the little digger’. (From the Hughes Collection, National Library of Australia)

See also The League of Nations. (1919, September 13). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 37.

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The signing of the Treaty of Peace at Versailles, June 28th, 1919

Introduction

The League of Nations was the forerunner to the present United Nations.

The Treaty of Versailles, including the Covenant of the League of Nations was signed on 28 June 1919 and was the first political treaty signed by Australian officials since Federation. A history of the signing, along with an explanation of the significance of the document is available at the website Documenting a Democracy.

Mr Hughes' Signature

From Signing the Treaty of Peace at Versailles, Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), Sunday 18 January 1920, page 20

Reports of the Australian delegation to the League, and reports submitted to the League, are reprinted in the Australian Parliamentary papers and can be found through the First consolidated index to the papers presented to Parliament 1901-1949.

The League oversaw the Permanent Court of Justice, and several other agencies and commissions were created such as the Health Organization, International Labour Organization, and Permanent Mandates Commission.

In 1946 the League of Nations was dissolved by a resolution of the 21st Assembly. Assets, property and some functions and roles were transferred to the United Nations.

TREATY OF VERSAILLES

Treaty of Versailles 1919 (including Covenant of the League of Nations)

Treaty of Versailles 1919 (including Covenant of the League of Nations)

Image from Documenting a Democracy, by the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in conjunction with the National Archives of Australia.

A copy of this document is also available in the National Library: Treaty of peace between the allied and associated powers and Germany : signed at Versailles, 28th June, 1919. Also known as the Treaty of Versailles, this is the treaty of the Paris Peace Conference. It includes the planned formation of the League of Nations as part of the text.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA

The National Archives of Australia holds a wealth of documents relating to the League of Nations. These include over 1900 items such as official files, reports, prime ministerial personal papers, maps and photographs. Over 130 of these items have been digitized and are available online via the Archives' website.

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Cultural Notification

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

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