1. The Treaty Of Versailles Flashcards
What was happening in November 1918?
The armistice had been signed on November 11th, Germany had not been invaded, it had not surrendered and had only agreed to a ceasefire to end all hostilities
Why did Germany sign the armistice just in time?
The might of the US armed forces was beginning to advance the Allied war effort and it was only a matter of time before Germany was overcome
What was the US president called at the time and what proposal for peace did he make?
Woodrow Wilson tabled a set proposal for peace
- the fourteen points
In which there was no mention of punishment instead he wanted to create a new world order where countries disarmed, people decided their own future (through self determination) and international relations were governed by a new peace-keeping organisations(became the League of Nations)
This is what German people anticipated would form the basis of the peace treaty when it was eventually formulated
When was the armistice signed?
11th November 1918
Who where the big 3?
France, Britain and north America
Who where the leaders of the big three?
France - Clemenceau
Britain - Lloyd George
USA - Woodrow Wilson
What was Clemenceau’s attitude towards the Germans?
Clemenceau had seen a defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71 with humiliating results, he felt this was France’s chance to settle the scores, the horrors of 1914-18 only reinforced this determination to weaken and punish Germany
Between Wilsons idealism and Clemenceau’s bitterness how did Lloyd George differ?
George tried to be practical and find compromises suitable to both sides while also ensuring Britain’s own interests were protected.
This meant dismantling Germany’s small colonial empire
Why was a speedy solution to war needed in 1918?
To maintain stability in Europe as they feared the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia might spread communism across the continent and threaten democracy
Moreover Spanish influenza continued to infect causing mor deaths around the world than war itself
Summary of the treaty of Versailles
Reparations
- set at £66 billion in 1921 to pay for reconstruction of war damaged areas such as Flanders
military aspects
- 100,000 soldiers (no conscription)
- 15,000 soldiers, no U-boats (submarines) and a maximum of 36 ships
- No Air Force
Territorial aspects
Germany lost 13% of its land
- loss of Alsace - Lorraine to France (as well as the Saar, 1920-35)
-loss of iron and steel works at Eupen and Malmady to Belgium
-loss of northern Schleswig to Denmark
-loss of west Prussia, Posen and Thorn (the ‘Polish corridor) to Poland
-loss of Silesian land to Poland and Czechoslovskia
-loss of port at Danzig (to become a free city under the League of Nations)
- loss of all colonies to the League of Nations
Why did German people refer to the treaty as a ‘diktat’?
- Although Germany was represented at the treaty discussions, Germany had no effective voice at the peace talks and no alternative to signing the treaty except the renewal of war
- for the German people the treaty did not represent a negotiated treaty
- it’s supposed guilt for this was the justification for the punishing terms
How did the German media portray the treaty?
Newspaper cartoons variously depicted Germany as a man facing execution, a corpse being picked apart, or a maiden having her blood sucker by vampires.
The message was clear: the treaty of Versailles was Germany’s death warrant
Describe the reaction of the new German government?
- The new German government could only protest in formal, feeble ways
- The government rejected the treaty outright and explained that it’s signing of the document was due to over-whelming pressure - there was no other alternative
How did the German people display their opposition to the treaty?
Protests were held across Germany including Munich, demonstrators gather in front of the Reichstag to hear critical speeches and raise banners calling for ‘nur die vierzehn punkte’ (only fourteen points)
what happened at scapa flow in the week prior to signing the treaty?
Naval officers sank 52 ships of the german high seas fleet anchored at scapa flow in the Orkney Islands to show their opposition to the treaty and stop it falling into british hands