How did Clemenceau view Wilson's ideals during the conference?

Clemenceau viewed Wilson's ideals during the conference as unrealistic and naive primarily because he believed that Wilson's approach to peace relied too heavily on principles that did not account for the harsh realities of post-war Europe. As the Prime Minister of France, Clemenceau's perspective was shaped by the devastating impact of World War I on France, which suffered immense human and territorial losses. He was focused on security and reparations to ensure that Germany would not pose a future threat to France and Europe.

Clemenceau criticized Wilson's emphasis on self-determination and the League of Nations, viewing these principles as insufficient in addressing the need for a strong response to Germany. He often felt that Wilson's ideals prioritized idealistic hopes for lasting peace over the more immediate need for security measures and the imposition of strict penalties on the Central Powers, particularly Germany. This clash of perspectives highlighted the broader divisions among the Allied leaders at the conference, where differing national priorities influenced their approaches to peace negotiations.