1.2 Impact Of The Versailles Settlement On Germany Flashcards
When was the armistice that needed fighting on the western front?
11 November 1918
When was the conference convened at the palace of Versallises?
18 January 1919
When are German delicates given a document containing the first draft of the terms of the treaty?
7 may 1919
When are German delicates given 7 days to sign the treaty?
16 June 1919
When does the coalition cabinet collapse because of divisions over signing the treaty?
20 June 1919
When do the Riechstag vote to accept the treaty?
22nd June 1919
When do German delicates sign the treaty of Versailles?
28 June 1919
What is a Diktat?
An order or decree imposed by someone in power without popular consent
What were the key sub topics for the terms of the treaty?(6 aspects)
-disarmament of Germany
-war guilt
-The Rhineland
-The Saarland
-other terms of the treaty
-territorial losses
The treaty: war guilt?
-Germany has to accept full responsibility for starting the war under article 231
-war guilt clause made Germany liable to pay reparations to the allies over the cost of damage suffered in the war
(6.6 billion in reparations)
-Germany have to hand allies most of its merchant shipping fleetm railways and overseas investments
Treaty: Rhineland?
-permanently demilitarised and allied occupation to ensure Germany fulfilled treaty obligations
Treaty Saarland?
-contained rich reserves of coal, was taken away from Germany and put under the control of the League of Nations
-France allowed to exploit the coal mines in the area
(Germany would supply free coal to France,Belgium and Italy as part of reparations)
Treaty:other terms of the treaty?
-Austria forbidden from uniting with Germany
-Germany not allowed to join League of Nations(Kaiser and Germans put on trial for war crimes)
Treaty: Disarmament of Germany?
-Germany surrender all heavy weapons
-conscription to German armed forces forbidden and army limited to 100,000
-German navy limited to 15,000 men allowed 6 battleships but no submarines
-Germany forbidden from having an airforce
Treaty:territorial losses?
-Germany lost 13% of land (70,000 km squared) and all overseas colonies
-Alsace-Lorraine returned to France
-most of west Prussia given to Poland
-Northern Schleswig given to Denmark
-Danzig becomes a free state under League of Nations protection
-Germany losses 75% of iron ore, 68% of zinc ore, 26% coal and 13% land
What was the reaction of the treaty to the German people?
Horror and disbelief
Why was the reaction to the treaty so severe?
-Germany’s war effort was portrayed by propaganda
-the soldiers and civilian population were not told how severe the situation was
Why did Germans not like the disbarment of Germany?
-that and exclusion from League of Nations was seen as unjust discrimination against a proud nation
Why did Germans not like reparations?
-they felt it was higher and would cripple the economy and they did not accept the ‘war guilt clause’ which justified the reparations
Why did the Germans disagree with the war guilt clause?
Unjust national humiliation since Germans believed they had been forced into a war against the allies whom had encircled Germany
Why did Germans resent the separation of East Prussia?
-millions of people who spoke and considered themselves German were now living in Poland of Czechoslovakia
Reasons to justify the conditions of the treaty?
-the reparations were not beyond the capacity for the German people to pay
-If Germany had one they would have annexed territory and demanded reparations which would have been harsh on the allies
-treaty did not punish Germany as much as their treaty onto Russia in March 1918(broken their empire and taken large amounts of territory)(+Austriahundary was completely broken up)
-Wilson’s 14 points made it clear that Alsace-Lorraine must be returned to France
What did President Ebert say to Groener about the treaty?
He would support the rejection of the treaty if military action could be successful
What is the policy of fulfilment?
Most sensible course of action to go along with the treaty and make gradual modifications to it
Why did the moderates become alienated?
They had no problem accepting new constitution and the promise of a better Germany but they could not stomach politicians who in their view betrayed Germany
What did the signing of the treaty do to the right?
Strengthened the hatred of the constitution
For extremists what were the 3 examples of the government betraying the motherland?
-dethroning the Kaiser
-signing the armistice
-accepting the treaty
(Became known as the November criminals)
What was Britain’s reaction to the treaty?
-she Prime minister Lloyd George retuned home he was met with a large reception from the crowd
-satisfied Germany had lost overseas colonies
-satisfied lost its fleet
-Germany should not be so weak that it is unable to resist the expansion of the USSR
—Wanted Germany to be a string trading partner with Britan
(Reparations we’re too high)
French reaction to the treaty?
-seeking revenge with the treaty
-Key demand that had been met: -Alsace-Lorraine, reparations, demilitarisation of the Rhineland
-too lenient on Germany with too many concessions (French prime minster Clemenceau looses the next election in 1920)
USA reaction to the treaty?
-generally negative
-opinion Britain and France had tried to enrich themselves
-republicans opposed the treaty
-USA had to make a separate treaty with Germany in 1921
-USA refused to John the League of Nations and retreated from European affairs
