# Clemenceau — The Economic Consequences of the Peace character guide

> Clemenceau in The Economic Consequences of the Peace by John Maynard Keynes.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** M. Clemenceau, the Carthaginian Peace of M. Clemenceau

**First appearance:** 0008-iii-the-conference

## Snapshot

The French premier whose Carthaginian peacemaking Keynes sees as tactical brilliance and moral hazard in equal measure.

## Who they are

Clemenceau leads the treaty's harshest provisions, opening from extreme positions on the prudent assumption that compromise will follow. He earns a reputation for moderation by theatrically discarding his own ministers' proposals, while Allied critics, ignorant of the true point at issue, let provisions pass. His double-game — extreme demands, impartial air — matters because it shapes the terms Keynes will spend the book dismantling.

## Relationships

### [Wilson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/characters/wilson)

_rivalry_

Clemenceau and Wilson clash over the terms of the peace treaty, representing French security demands versus American idealism.

### [The French](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/characters/the_french)

_friendship_

Clemenceau is the staunch representative of French interests, embodying the nation's desire for security and revenge.

### [Germany](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/characters/germany)

_rivalry_

Clemenceau is Germany's most implacable foe, demanding harsh punishment and permanent weakening.

### [Germany](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/characters/germany)

_rivalry_

Clemenceau is Germany's most implacable foe, demanding harsh punishment and permanent weakening.

## In the story

### [The Economic Consequences of the Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/the-economic-consequences-of-the-peace)

Key architect of the Carthaginian peace, prioritizing French security over economic recovery.

### [I: Introductory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/i-introductory)

Clemenceau is similarly portrayed as a mask-like figure in the theatrical setting of the Paris Conference.

### [III: The Conference](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/iii-the-conference)

Dominant figure in the Council of Four, advocating for a Carthaginian Peace to ensure French security by destroying Germany's economic strength.

### [IV: The Treaty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/iv-the-treaty)

Championed the Carthaginian Peace, dominating the Council of Four and shaping the treaty to enfeeble Germany.

### [V: Reparation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/v-reparation)

Pursues a Carthaginian Peace, indifferent to financial realities.

### [The Conference and the Terms of the Treaty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/ii-the-conference-and-the-terms-of-the-treaty)

Pursued a 'Carthaginian Peace' to weaken Germany, indifferent to the financial realities of reparations.

### [VI: Europe After the Treaty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/chapters/vi-europe-after-the-treaty)

Clemenceau is criticized for focusing on crushing Germany's economic life rather than addressing Europe's fundamental problems.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/characters/clemenceau
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_economic_consequences_of_the_peace_se/characters